Interviews and Surveys
Throughout the Improving Practice Together project, we used interview and survey protocols to collect data about the perceptions of teacher leaders and their experiences of teaching in new ways, of engaging in professional learning, and of supporting peers. We used these protocols to answer both research and evaluation questions related to (a) the design and implementation of leadership development goals and activities; (b) professional learning outcomes; and (c) the evolving practices and perceptions of teacher leaders.
More information about the evolving foci of interview and survey protocols
As research and practitioner partners, we considered each other’s evolving needs and changing contexts. Conceptions of teacher leadership were modified over the course of the project. The protocols used in the earlier phase (2019) focused on participants’ competency to lead and adapt the PRACTISE model for their peers. In later years (2020-2021), the protocols also studied the development of broader leadership practices and dispositions, involving informal peer support. More about these changes is offered in the Findings on Teacher Leadership Development section.
INTERVIEW PROTOCOLS
These protocols were used to collect data to study how the IPT project contributed to building teacher leadership in scientific argumentation, and to offer quick feedback to partners about the outcomes of professional learning experiences.
These protocols may be useful for other projects wanting to understand successes, challenges, and outcomes of their own teacher leadership development initiatives.
- Interview protocols for teacher leaders in 2019-20:
- Summer 2019: After participation in a 5-day leadership institute (Annotated Version)
- Summer 2019: After co-facilitating in a 5-day summer institute for their peers (Annotated Version)
- Spring 2020: After implementing argumentation in their classroom and attending professional learning follow-up days for a year (Annotated Version)
- Interview protocols for teacher leaders in 2020-21:
See the about section for more information about how data collection changed over time using these protocols.
SURVEY PROTOCOLS
The Research and Evaluation team used surveys to gather teacher leaders’ reactions and perspectives after (1) their own leadership-focused professional learning experiences and (2) professional learning experiences that they co-facilitated.
Resources:
- Post-Leadership Institute Survey (teacher leaders’ reflections after a weeklong leadership-focused professional learning experience
- Post-Follow-up Day Survey for Teacher Leaders (teacher leaders’ reflections after facilitating a professional learning experience for their peers)