The National Awards Program for Model Professional Development began in 1996 to highlight and recognize schools and school districts with exemplary professional development programs.

The National Awards Program identifies a variety of comprehensive models of pre-K-12 professional development that exemplify the Department's Mission and Principles of Professional Development. Consistent with that Mission and Principles, these models are broadly focused: they have professional growth as an integral part of school culture, address the needs of ALL students who they serve, and promote professional development practices that ensure equity by being free of bias and accessible to all educators. Recognition under the awards program is based on how well applicants demonstrate that their professional development programs result in increased student learning.

The following are descriptions of the exemplary professional development activities of the seven 1999 National Awards Program winners.

1. Carroll Independent School District, Southlake, Texas
2. Edmonds School District, Lynnwood, Washington
3. Norman Public Schools, Norman, Oklahoma
4. Olathe District Schools, Olathe, Kansas
5. Sprayberry High School, Marietta, Georgia
6. Spring Woods Senior High School, Houston, Texas
7. Wherry Elementary School, Albuquerque, New Mexico

For more information on the National Awards Program, please contact:

Director Sharon Horn

Office of Educational Research and Improvement

U.S. Department of Education

(202) 219-2203

fax: (202) 219-2198

sharon_horn@ed.gov

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