Resource Spotlight

Many TAH Evaluators have used Thomas Guskey’s framework to design an evaluation plan to meet the needs of their specific project. Guskey poses the question, “How do we determine the effects and effectiveness of activities designed to enhance the professional knowledge and skills of educators so that they might, in turn, improve the learning of students”? (p. 1) In answer to this question, Guskey explores the processes and procedures involved in evaluating professional development, at five increasing level

• Participants’ reactions to professional development
• How much participants learn
• Evaluating organizational support and change
• How participants use their new knowledge and skills
• Improvement in student learning

This book is useful for educational professionals at all levels. Guskey provides a thorough description of professional development and evaluation with sample evaluation forms, checklists and helpful hints. He then ties professional development and evaluation together by explaining how the evaluation process can help educators to address the key aspects of successful professional development programs. In addition, school district staff development planners can use this work as a reference to assist them in ensuring that their programs are effectively impacting student achievement.

Guskey has provided an excellent resource for those involved in staff development, as well as researchers and evaluators of professional development processes.

About the author: Thomas R. Guskey is Professor of Educational Policy Studies and Evaluation at the University of Kentucky. He has been a teacher at all levels, served as an administrator in Chicago public schools, and has worked in the area of professional development for more than 20 years.

http://www.uky.edu/Education/EPE/epefac.html#Guskey