That is what these exemplary programs are doing with great success. The exemplary programs are being recognized under the U.S. Department of Education's National Awards Program for Model Professional Development, now in its second year. To be recognized, schools and districts demonstrate that their professional development programs result in improved teacher effectiveness and student learning and are consistent with a set of principles for professional development that are based on the best available research and exemplary practice. The professional development programs can serve as models for schools and districts as they design strategies to improve teachers' skills and knowledge of subject matter. Developing the skills of teachers and principals plays a critical role in school improvement.
Eligibility is open to public and private schools and districts.
The panel made recommendations to the secretary, who selected the final honorees. Each of the recognized programs will receive a privately funded monetary award to be used to support professional development activities and to help share strategies and lessons learned with others. The William R. Kenan Fund, United Parcel Service Foundation, the William T. Grant Foundation, Toyota USA, Inc. and GlaxoWellcome, Inc. are funding the monetary awards. Summaries of the exemplary projects follow. Shallowford Falls Elementary School, Marietta, Georgia Shallowford Falls Elementary School is a good school determined to get even better.