Equity is a concern. Many teachers do not consider themselves very well prepared to handle some of the new demands being placed on them, but they are more likely to feel prepared after they have participated in related professional development activities. How well prepared teachers believe they are to meet some of these new demands is associated with their participation in related professional development activities. In 1998, teachers who had participated in 8 hours or more of professional development in selected areas in the previous 12 months were more likely than other teachers to consider themselves very well prepared in those areas. Percentages based on teachers who teach such students.
Teachers report that regular participation in collaborative activities improves their teaching.
Recent conceptions of high-quality professional development have included emphasis on regular collaborative activities among teachers as a way of improving their teaching practice. In contrast, teachers who participated once a month or less were generally less likely to hold this belief. References 1 National Commission on Excellence in Education, A Nation at Risk, 24. Two years of a foreign language are strongly recommended for college-bound students.