| In many states, local school systems are under pressure to implement educational programs to help students pass the statewide Assessment of Skills and Knowledge (ASK) in science, mathematics, and language arts literacy. The school district in which this study was conducted implemented a high quality teaching professional development (HQTPD) program for grade four teachers in 2008. The research problem was that, at the data site, fourth grade students were not making academic progress, and elementary schools were failing to make adequate yearly progress (AYP). The HQTPD program intervention was grounded in social learning theory. The main research question that guided this quantitative study was whether or not HQTPD affected fourth grade students' science, mathematics, and language arts literacy ASK scores. ASK test scores in science, mathematics, and language arts literacy were collected for 1,185 grade four students. The data were analyzed using a nonequivalent quasi-experimental pretest and posttest control group design, which involved two cohorts of fourth grade students before and after the implementation of the HQTPD program. Empirical evidence revealed that the HQTPD program had a positive impact on fourth grade students' science, mathematics, and language arts literacy ASK scores. The local school district and the surrounding institutes of higher education and professional development providers in this state may benefit from having an awareness of the effectiveness of HQTPD on student achievement. Implications for social change include including more programs like HQTPD that have the potential to increase student academic achievement. |
