Investigating the Professional Development Alliance: a study of an inter-agency education committee

Murray, Anne F. (2004) Investigating the Professional Development Alliance: a study of an inter-agency education committee. Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

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Abstract

The Professional Development Alliance (PDA) is an alliance of educational organizations in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador established to promote professional development among educators. There is a need to explore the challenges faced by such an inter-agency organization in achieving its objectives. The purpose of this thesis was to investigate the formation of the PDA, the development of its model for teacher professional development and the perceived supports and barriers to the implementation process. A qualitative approach was used to gather data through interviews with each member of the PDA committee. Interviews were taped, transcribed and analysed using both inductive and deductive methods. Analysis of these interviews revealed how and why the PDA was formed and how the PDA developed an inter-agency framework for teacher professional development. Factors unique to Newfoundland and Labrador appear to support inter-agency collaboration although barriers to implementing the PDA model remain to be overcome. It is concluded that explicit identification and resolution of potential difficulties needs to be part of the ongoing inter-agency process.

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