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:

Mary Hauber, Technology Services Consultant
Keystone AEA
2310 Chaney Road
Dubuque, IA 52001-3090
(563) 556-3310 or (800) 942-4668 ext. 2624
mhauber@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.
• 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 is $85. Graduate credit through Drake cost is $155.
• Submit a completed proposal form to Mary Hauber for approval.

Criteria for Credit:

To insure the integrity of the Study Group format for licensure renewal 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. Title of the group.

3. 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.

4. 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); district's school improvement plan and/or Iowa Core.

5. 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.

6. Assurance of alignment with district and state focus – the signed "Assurance" page will cover this requirement.

7. Course Requirements and Grading Rubric – "Reaction/Reflection Assignment" pages will cover this requirement.

8. Letter of Assurance

• Letter of assurance (on the study group proposal web page) must be completed by district superintendent or building principal and forwarded to Mary Hauber via Keystone AEA van mail or U.S. mail. No proposal will be approved without this assurance page.

9. 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.

10. 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.

11. 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.