This report examines effects of structural and process features of
professional development programs on teachers’ knowledge, practice and
efficacy. It is based on four recent (2002-2003) studies undertaken through
the Australian Government Quality Teacher Programme, designed to
enhance teacher quality. The total data set for the survey study includes 3,250
teachers who had participated in eighty individual professional development1
activities within these studies. Teachers were surveyed at least three months
after participating in an activity, which provided them with the opportunity to
gauge the impact of programs on their practice. To investigate factors
affecting impact, a theoretical model was developed based on recent research
into the characteristics of effective professional development and tested using
blockwise regression analysis. The model included contextual factors (e.g.,
school support), structural features of programs (e.g. ,length), process
features (e.g., emphasis on content; active learning; examination of student
work; feedback; follow-up), a mediating variable (level of professional
community generated), and four outcome measures (knowledge; practice;
student learning and efficacy).