An evaluation of professional development at one Australian primary school during the years from 1979 to 1989

The purpose of this study was to evaluate professional development at one Australian primary school over the decade 1979 to 1989. Two levels of questions were considered. The first was the descriptive question, what happened in professional development? The second level questions were evaluative and analytical: was the professional development successful and If so, why? The methodology used was influenced by more than one research tradition within the qualitative paradigm. Former and present members of Warrawong Primary School were interviewed about professional development and change at the school over the last ten years. Additional data was collected through participant observation and artifact collection over a nine month period.