Jennifer Allen

Teacher study groups are becoming more popular in schools, fueled in part by the surge of interest in adult book clubs in the U.S. over the last decade. In study groups, teachers typically work together with a facilitator to explore a topic of interest in-depth -- reading and discussing a book about the issue, trying out new practices in classrooms, and returning each week or month for more conversation. There is a large base of research that demonstrates this sort of teacher-initiated, in-house professional development is more likely to lead to sustained change in classrooms than other staff development models.

I have led study groups in my own school for the past seven years as a literacy specialist in Waterville, Maine. Here is the advice I wish that someone had given me when I began my first group:

• Choose a clear focus in advance
• Seek volunteers--never have mandatory attendance
• Limit the number of participants (I've found eight or less works well)
• Set meeting dates in advance so participants can reserve them
• Order books for everyone in advance
• Organize resources for participants
• Limit sessions to an hour, and stick to the time limit
• Meet in a relaxed, comfortable environment
• Provide plenty of refreshments
• Don't teach--the goal is a conversation where everyone talks freely
• Establish a predictable format

If you are interested in starting a study group in your school, there are many free resources available on the web to help get you started.

For a lively and fun summary of what is essential for successful in-house professional development, including the research base that supports study groups, check out the first chapter of Diane Sweeney's book Learning Along the Way:

http://www.stenhouse.com/pdfs/0343ch01.pdf

For more background on book clubs for adults in general, and advice on thorny issues like how to deal with participants who dominate discussions, visit the Reading Group Guides clearinghouse at:

http://www.readinggroupguides.com/

For a detailed description of my own study group principles, you can download my five-page guide for launching study groups at:

http://www.stenhouse.com/pdfs/rstfocus.pdf

No professional development program is more rewarding than teacher study groups for me personally, and over the years these groups have proven to be very popular among teachers. I'll let one of the teachers from last year's study groups have the last word on their impact, since it's the teachers who do most of the talking in groups at our school, and can speak best to their value:

"My participation in the study group provided me with the time to collaborate with my peers. The resources provided at the sessions gave me new insights into my teaching. Sharing ideas and working together also helped me to maintain focus and enthusiasm for what I was learning. The support given by the group makes it safe and easy to try new things."

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