Professional Development in Education and the Private Sector: Following the Leaders

November 2000

By Sabrina W. M. Laine with Chris Otto
North Central Regional Educational Laboratory

Executive Summary
Introduction
Professional Development in Education
   State or Local Control?
Professional Development in the Private Sector
The Challenge of Present-Day Training in Education
A Tale of Two Sectors: Differences and Similarities
Case Studies: A Closer Look
   Methodology
   Selecting the Sites
   The Findings
Conclusion
   Summary of Findings
   Implications and Policy Priorities
References

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This work was produced in whole or in part with funds from the Office of Educational Research and Improvement (OERI), U.S. Department of Education, under contract number RJ96006301. The content does not necessarily reflect the position or policy of OERI or the Department of Education, nor does mention of trade names, commercial products, or organizations imply endorsement by the federal government.

Acknowledgments

This research report was developed over the last several years and would not have come to fruition without the assistance and cooperation of the case-study sites. Alan Nowakowski, Kevin O'Neill, and Bobb Darnell were instrumental in their support for this research, arranging interviews and reviewing drafts of the report. In addition, the following individuals reviewed and edited earlier versions of the report: Barry Bull, Carlyn Johnson, and Paul Kimmelman. Finally, the following NCREL Communications Department staff were phenomenal in their timely production of the final report: Lenaya Raack, senior editor; Jennifer Lee Atkin, editor; Melissa Chapko, graphic designer; and Stephanie Blaser, production coordinator.

Professional Development in Education and the Private Sector: Following the Leaders

Contents

Acknowledgments