Interest in improving the quality of professional development in this age of educational reform has intensified as a growing body of research suggests that teaching practices matter in terms of student achievement. Some have argued for embedding professional development in the context of teachers' work in order to transform both teaching practices…

Lesson planning is integral to teachers' professional development in China. It includes their individual reflection and study as well as the collegial activities undertaken to prepare the lesson. In China, organizational structures for both individual teachers and a school's professional community embed lesson preparation in two activities:…

Schools and Staffing Survey data on public school teachers from 1987-88, 1993-94, and 1999-2000 indicate the percentage certified in their primary teaching assignment (PTA) decreased; fewer teachers with PTA certification were in urban and secondary schools. More new teachers had temporary/emergency PTA certification or waivers; more teachers with…