Teachers’ Continuous Professional Development in Italy: an analysis of the results of the Teaching and Learning International Survey (TALIS)

Authors

  • Laura Carlotta Foschi

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.7346/sird-022021-p52

Keywords:

continuous professional development, TALIS, in-service teacher training, teacher education, lifelong learning

Abstract

The role of teachers is recognised as crucial to the quality of education and student learning. Ensuring and improving the quality of their professionalism is therefore essential. Continuous Professional Development (CPD) is critical to achieving this goal. This paper explores the CPD in Italy by analysing the results of the latest Teaching And Learning International Survey (TALIS) conducted by the OECD in 2018. After highlight- ing the relevance that CPD assumes in the Italian context, the paper examines the survey results and compares them with European and OECD countries. The contribution analyses participation rates, types of activities, content, and areas for which teachers express the greatest need for development. The paper also explores the impact of CPD, characteristics of the most effective activities, factors perceived as barriers to participation, and support measures received by teachers. Finally, it discusses the findings that emerged and outlines possible perspectives that can guide and improve policies related to CPD and the choices of those who design and implement it.

References

Angrist, J.D., & Lavy, V. (2001). Does Teacher Training Affect Pupil Learning? Evidence from Matched Compari- sons in Jerusalem Public Schools. Journal of Labor Economics, 19(2), 343-369. https://doi.org/ 10.1086/319564 Ariely, D., Gneezy, U., Loewenstein, G., & Mazar, N. (2009). Large stakes and big mistakes. The Review of Economic

Studies, 76(2), 451-469. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-937x.2009.00534.x

Avalos, B. (2011). Teacher professional development in Teaching and Teacher Education over ten years. Teaching

and Teacher Education, 27(1), 10-20.https://doi.org/ 10.1016/j.tate.2010.08.007

Barber, M., & M. Mourshed, M. (2009). Shaping the Future: How Good Education Systems Can Become Great in the

Decade Ahead. Report on the International Education Roundtable: 7 July, 2009, Singapore.

Borko, H. (2004). Professional development and teacher learning: Mapping the terrain. Educational Researcher,

(8), 3-15. https://doi.org: 10.3102/0013189X033008003

Clarke, D., & Hollingsworth, H. (2002). Elaborating a model of teacher professional growth. Teaching and Teacher

Education, 18(8), 947-967. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0742-051X(02)00053-7

Commissione Europea (2005). Common European principles for teacher competences and qualifications. Bruxelles,

BE: European Commission.

Commissione Europea (2007). Improving the Quality of Teacher Education. Retrieved from eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-

content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:52007DC0392&from=EN

Commissione Europea (2013). Supporting teacher competence development for better learning outcomes. Retrieved

from ec.europa.eu/assets/eac/education/experts-groups/2011-2013/teacher/teachercomp_en.pdf Commissione Europea (2017). School development and excellent teaching. Retrieved from eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-

content/EN/TXT/HTML/?uri=LEGISSUM:4301065

Commissione Europea (2020). Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the

European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions “on achieving the European Education Area by 2025”. Retrieved from eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/HTML/?uri=CELEX:52020- DC0625&from=EN

Consiglio Europeo (2009a). Council conclusions of 12 May 2009 on a strategic framework for European cooperation in education and training (‘ET 2020’). Retrieved from eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?- uri=CELEX:52009XG0528(01)&from=EN

Consiglio Europeo (2009b). Council conclusions of 26 November 2009 on the professional development of teachers and school leaders. Retrieved from eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:C:2009:302:0006:0009:-

EN:PDF

Consiglio Europeo (2013). Council recommendation of 9 July 2013on the National Reform Programme 2013 of

Italy and delivering a Council opinion on the Stability Programme of Italy, 2012-2017. Bruxelles, BE: Eu-

ropean Council.

Consiglio Europeo (2014). Council conclusions of 20 May 2014 on effective teacher education. Retrieved from eur-

lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:52014XG0614(05)&from=EN

Consiglio Europeo (2017). Council Conclusions on school development and excellent teaching. Retrieved from eur-

lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX%3A52017XG1208%2801%29&from=EN Consiglio Europeo (2020). Council conclusions on “European teachers and trainers for the future”. Retrieved from eur-

lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/HTML/?uri=CELEX:52020XG0609(02)&rid=5

Cordingley, P., Bell, M., Isham, C., Evans, D., & Firth, A. (2007). What do specialists do in CPD programmes for which there is evidence of positive outcomes for pupils and teachers? Report. London, UK: EPPI-Centre, Social

Science Research Unit, Institute of Education.

Cordingley, P., Bell, M., Rundell, B., & Evans, D. (2003). The Impact of Collaborative CPD on Classroom Teaching

and Learning: How Does Collaborative Continuing Professional Development (CPD) for Teachers of the 5-16 Age Range Affect Teaching and Learning? London, UK: EPPI-Centre, Social Science Research Unit, Institute of Edu- cation.

Darling-Hammond, L. (2017). Teacher education around the world: What can we learn from international practice?. European Journal of Teacher Education, 40(3), 291-309. https://doi.org/10.1080/02619768.2017.1315399 Darling-Hammond, L., Holtzman, D. J., Gatlin, S. J., & Heilig, J. V. (2005). Does teacher preparation matter?

Evidence about teacher certification, Teach for America, and teacher effectiveness. Education Policy Analysis Ar-

chives, 13(42), 1-48. https://doi.org/10.14507/epaa.v13n42.2005

Darling-Hammond, L., Hyler, M. E., & Gardner, M. (2017). Effective Teacher Professional Development. Palo Alto,

CA, USA: Learning Policy Institute.

Desimone, L. M. (2009). Improving impact studies of teachers’ professional development: Toward better concep-

tualizations and measures. Educational researcher, 38(3), 181-199. https://doi.org/10.3102/0013189X08331140 Eurostat (2019). Classroom teachers and academic staff by education level, programme orientation, sex and age groups.

Retrieved from educ_uoe_perp01

Eurydice (2018). Teaching careers in Europe: access, progression, and support. Luxembourg, LU: Office for Official

Publications of the European Union.

Fischer, C., Fishman, B., Dede, C., Eisenkraft, A., Frumin, K., Foster, B., ... & McCoy, A. (2018). Investigating

relationships between school context, teacher professional development, teaching practices, and student achie- vement in response to a nationwide science reform. Teaching and Teacher Education, 72, 107-121. https://doi.org/ 10.1016/j.tate.2018.02.011

Frey, B. S. (1993). Motivation as a limit to pricing. Journal of Economic Psychology, 14(4), 635-664. https://doi.org/10.1016/0167-4870(93)90014-c

Frey, B. S. (1994). How intrinsic motivation is crowded out and in. Rationality and society, 6(3), 334-352. https://doi.org/ 10.1177/1043463194006003004

Garet, M. S., Porter, A. C., Desimone, L., Birman, B. F., & Yoon, K. S. (2001). What makes professional develop- ment effective? Results from a national sample of teachers. American educational research journal, 38(4), 915- 945. https://doi.org/10.3102/00028312038004915

Gubler, T., Larkin, I., & Pierce, L. (2016). Motivational spillovers from awards: Crowding out in a multitasking environment. Organization Science, 27(2), 286-303. https://doi.org/10.1287/orsc.2016.1047

Guskey, T. R., & Yoon, K. S. (2009). What works in professional development?. Phi delta kappan, 90(7), 495-500. https://doi.org/10.1177/003172170909000709

Harrison, D. A., Virick, M., & William, S. (1996). Working without a net: Time, performance, and turnover under maximally contingent rewards. Journal of Applied Psychology, 81(4), 331. https://doi.org/ 10.1037/0021- 9010.81.4.331

Hattie, J. (2009). Visible Learning: A Synthesis of over 800 Meta-Analyses Relating to Achievement. London, UK: Rou- tledge.

Hill, H. C., Beisiegel, M., & Jacob, R. (2013). Professional development research: Consensus, crossroads, and chal- lenges. Educational researcher, 42(9), 476-487. https://doi.org/10.3102/0013189x13512674

Hoban, G., & Erickson, G. (2004). Dimensions of learning for long-term professional development: Comparing approaches from education, business and medical context. Journal of In-service Education, 30(2), 301-324. https://doi.org/10.1080/13674580400200247

Jacobsen, C. B., Hvitved, J., & Andersen, L. B. (2014). Command and motivation: How the perception of external interventions relates to intrinsic motivation and public service motivation. Public Administration, 92(4), 790-

https://doi.org/10.1111/padm.12024

Jensen, B., Sonnemann, J., Roberts-Hull, K., & Hunter, A. (2016). Beyond PD: Teacher Professional Learning in

High-Performing Systems. Washington, DC, USA: National Center on Education and the Economy.

Kohn, A. (1998). Challenging behaviorist dogma: Myths about money and motivation. Compensation & Benefits

Review, 30(2), 27-37. https://doi.org/ 10.1177/088636879803000206

Kraft, M., Blazar, D., & Hogan, D. (2018). The effect of teacher coaching on instruction and achievement: A meta-

analysis of the causal evidence. Review of Educational Research, 88(4), 547-588. https://doi.org/10.3102/-

Kuvaas, B., Buch, R., Gagne, M., Dysvik, A., & Forest, J. (2016). Do you get what you pay for? Sales incentives

and implications for motivation and changes in turnover intention and work effort. Motivation and Emotion,

(5), 667-680. https://doi.org/ 10.1007/s11031-016-9574-6

Legge 13 luglio 2015, n. 107. Riforma del sistema nazionale di istruzione e formazione e delega per il riordino delle di-

sposizioni legislative vigenti. Retrieved from gazzettaufficiale.it/eli/id/2015/07/15/15G00122/sg

MIUR (2016). Piano per la formazione dei docenti 2016-2019. Retrieved from istruzione.it/allegati/2016/Piano_For-

mazione_3ott.pdf

MIUR (2020). Permanent teachers. Public school. Retrieved from DS0600DOCTIT

Nazioni Unite (2015). Transforming our World: The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. New York, NY, USA:

United Nations.

OCSE (2005). Teachers Matter: Attracting, Developing and Retaining Effective Teachers. Paris, FR: OECD Publishing.

https://doi.org/ 10.1787/9789264018044-en

OCSE (2009). Creating Effective Teaching and Learning Environments: First Results from TALIS. Paris, FR: OECD

Publishing.

OCSE (2013). Synergies for Better Learning: An International Perspective on Evaluation and Assessment. Paris, FR:

OECD Publishing. doi: 10.1787/9789264190658-en

OCSE (2014). TALIS 2013 Results: An International Perspective on Teaching and Learning. Paris, FR: OECD Publi-

shing. https://doi.org/10.1787/9789264196261-en

OCSE (2015). Education Policy Outlook 2015: Making Reforms Happen. Paris, FR: OECD Publishing. doi:

doi.org/10.1787/9789264225442-en

OCSE (2018a). Effective Teacher Policies: Insights from PISA. Paris, FR: OECD Publishing. https://doi.org/-

1787/9789264301603-en.

OCSE (2018b). Teaching for the Future: Effective Classroom Practices To Transform Education. Paris, FR: OECD Pu-

blishing. https://doi.org/ 10.1787/9789264293243-en

OCSE (2019). TALIS 2018 Results (Vol. 1): Teachers and School Leaders as Lifelong Learners. Paris, FR: OECD Pu-

blishing. https://doi.org/10.1787/1d0bc92a-en

Olafsen, A. H., Halvari, H., Forest, J., & Deci, E. L. (2015). Show them the money? The role of pay, managerial

need support, and justice in a self determination theory model of intrinsic work motivation. Scandinavian journal

of psychology, 56(4), 447-457. https://doi.org/10.1111/sjop.12211

Opfer, D. (2016). Conditions and Practices Associated with Teacher Professional Development and Its Impact on In-

struction in TALIS 2013. OECD Education Working Papers, No. 138. Paris, FR: OECD Publishing. https://-

doi.org/ 10.1787/5jlss4r0lrg5-en

Opfer, V. D., & Pedder, D. (2011). Conceptualizing teacher professional learning. Review of educational research,

(3), 376-407. https://doi.org/ 10.3102/0034654311413609

Paniagua, A., & Istance, D. (2018). Teachers as Designers of Learning Environments: The Importance of Innovative

Pedagogies, Educational Research and Innovation. Paris, FR: OECD Publishing. https://doi.org/ 10.1787-

/9789264085374-en

Pedder, D., Storey, A., & Opfer, V. D. (2008). Schools and continuing professional development (CPD) in England–

State of the Nation research project. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University, Open University and TDA. Rivkin, S. G., Hanushek, E. A., & Kain, J. F. (2005). Teachers, schools, and academic achievement. Econome-

trica, 73(2), 417-458. https://doi.org/ 10.1111/j.1468-0262.2005.00584.x

Rockoff, J. E. (2004). The Impact of Individual Teachers on Student Achievement: Evidence from Panel Data.

American Economic Review, 94(2), 247–252. https://doi.org/10.1257/0002828041302244

Scheerens, J. (2000). Improving School Effectiveness. Fundamentals of Educational Planning (Vol. 68). Paris, FR: UNE-

SCO, International Institute for educational planning.

Scheerens, J. (2010). Teachers’ Professional Development: Europe in International Comparison: An Analysis of Teachers’

Professional Development Based on the OECD’s Teaching and Learning International Survey (TALIS). Luxembourg, LU: Office for Official Publications of the European Union. https://doi.org/ 10.2766/63494

Trust, T., Krutka, D., & Carpenter, J. (2016). Together we are better’: Professional learning networks for teachers. Computers & Education, 102, 15-34. https://doi.org/ 10.1016/j.compedu.2016.06.007.

UNESCO (2016). Education 2030: Incheon Declaration and Framework for Action for the Implementation of Sustai- nable Development Goal 4. Paris, FR: UNESCO.

Villegas-Reimers, E. (2003). Teacher professional development: An international review of the literature. Paris, FR: UNESCO - International Institute for Educational Planning.

Yoon, K. S., Duncan, T., Lee, S. W. Y., Scarloss, B., & Shapley, K. (2007). Reviewing the evidence on how teacher professional development affects student achievement (Issues & Answers Report, REL 2007 - No. 033). Washington, DC, USA: U.S. Department of Education, Institute of Education Sciences, National Center for Education Eva- luation and Regional Assistance, Regional Educational Laboratory Southwest.

Published

2021-12-22

How to Cite

Foschi, L. C. (2021). Teachers’ Continuous Professional Development in Italy: an analysis of the results of the Teaching and Learning International Survey (TALIS). ITALIAN JOURNAL OF EDUCATIONAL RESEARCH, (27), 052–064. https://doi.org/10.7346/sird-022021-p52

Issue

Section

Papers