The partnership’s PCK construct and chosen measurement
method was already described above, therefore, this section will be
constrained to two points of notable relevance to professional
development. First, many scholars list a focus on content and
student understanding as key traits of effective professional
development (Desimone, 2009; Guskey, 2002; Ingvarson, Meiers,
& Beavis, 2005). The STEM PCK construct focuses on student
thinking about and effective strategies for teaching specific STEM
content, therefore, it presents the opportunity to measure these
aspects that are considered key to PD effectiveness. Second, in their
review of science education research that was focused on PCK,
Schneider and Plasman (2011) note a troubling trend of mid- and
advanced career teachers either plateauing or declining in their
PCK; the authors go on to attribute this as a failure of professional
development to serve the needs of these later career teachers. The
partnership’s decision to create a STEM PCK rubric will allow for
creation of the tool that (1) measures key aspects of effective PD
and (2) builds on the concepts of learning progression for teachers
and a continuum of PCK across teachers’ careers (Schneider &
Plasman, 2011).