Study Group Professional Development Program

The Study Group concept presents a way for educators to work in cooperative groups to identify issues and goals, research professional literature, share experiences, and problem-solve real situations. Groups serve as a useful strategy for creating a network of information, communication, and commitment to support the best classroom practices.

For more information, contact:

Bruce Floyd, School Improvement Facilitator: Professional Development
Keystone AEA 1
Division of Instructional Services Field Office
1400 2nd St. NW
Elkader, IA 52043-9564
(563) 245-1480 or (800) 632-5918 ext. 167
bfloyd@aea1.k12.ia.us

Organizing a Study Group:

• Identify a group of 4-6 persons who are guided by a common purpose or goal. Teachers, administrators, support staff, parents, and other community representatives may be considered for inclusion in the group to build partnerships in the education process
• Contact Bruce Floyd to coordinate a date that he and the group can hold an organizational meeting to complete a Study Group Proposal. This meeting is mandatory but cannot count toward the required clock hours for credit.
• Identify the type of credit for which the proposal is being submitted.
• Groups are required to meet for no less than 15 clock hours and must contain no less than four (4) members. It is recommended that groups contain no more than six (6) members.
• No activity can be implemented prior to approval of the plan.
• Staff development registration is required for each individual wishing credit. Recertification cost $85; graduate credit cost $120 for Morningside and $145 for Drake.
• Submit a completed proposal form to Bruce Floyd for approval.

Criteria for Credit:

To insure the integrity of the Study Group format for licensure renewal/graduate credit and maintain the high quality of its intended purpose, the following criteria has been established.

Complete the online form providing all information requested. Failure to include all information will delay the approval process. All proposals must be completed online.

1. Date proposal submitted.

2. Credit type desired. Only one type of credit for the whole group.

3. Title of the group.

4. What is the problem to be examined by the group?

• Clearly identify the problem facing the district, building or classroom. This is a why or what question, not a how question. Why is this group forming? What is the problem or issue that needs to be discussed, reviewed, analyzed, or researched? Do not indicate how you are going to study but what/why you are studying. Address how the issues or strategies align with local district Comprehensive School Improvement Plan. Be specific citing the goal(s) this Study Group will directly address. If a purchased copyrighted program or other "canned" program is being examined as part of the group work, original program research must be reviewed and source of said research must be identified in the final report.

5. As a result of the study, what are the expected changes?

• Define the desired outcomes for the Study Group and the method(s) for determining achievement of those outcomes. Be as specific as possible. Outcomes must focus clearly and distinctly on the needs (the problem) facing the district, the building and the staff. Outcomes must align with one or more of the Iowa teaching standards (please identify). Address how the outcomes of this group align with the district's career development plan; professional development standards and individual career development plan as described in rule 281-12.7(256).

6. Plan of Action

• Develop a detailed plan of action addressing meeting dates & times, resources that will be involved, record keeping practices, how will the results be shared, team roles and please indicate what the group will be doing. List things such as reading from a text, synthesizing data from the web, locating related activities from other school districts, developing district plans, or developing units of study.

7. Letter of Assurance

• Letter of assurance (on the web page) must be completed by district superintendent or building principal and forwarded with proposal.

8. Record Keeping

• Maintain a record keeping system to document time and activities to be completed. A meeting log (use web based log) for each meeting must be included with the final report and these logs must be signed by a district administrator as verification of participation by group members.

9. Final Report

• The individual team member's reaction/reflection assignments (framework on the web page) will serve as the final report and all papers must be submitted together by the due date listed on the approved proposal.

10. Registration

• All participants desiring credit must register. Registration procedure will be forward to identified Team Leader for distribution to team members. This procedure must be followed as no other registration process will be accepted.