Lesson Study: A Model of Professional Development for Teachers of Mathematics in Years 7 to 12

Lesson Study is a model of professional development designed to assist teachers produce quality lesson plans and gain a better understanding of student learning in mathematics Years 7 to 12. The process involves a small group of teachers as a Lesson Study team, who meet regularly to plan, design, implement, evaluate and refine lessons for a unit of work that they had selected. In 2002 it was implemented in 36 NSW departmental secondary schools from across the state in Semester 1 and another 77 schools in Semester 2. This paper briefly describes the program and considers certain aspects of the evaluation, particularly in terms of teacher learning. In 2001, the New South Wales Department of Education and Training initiated a trial project called Lesson Study in conjunction with the Quality Teaching Program (QTP). The Lesson Study program is a model of professional development designed to assist teachers produce quality lesson plans and gain a better understanding of student learning in mathematics across Years 7 to 12. The process involves a Lesson Study team, which is a small group of volunteer teachers under the coordination of a volunteer team leader. They meet regularly (1-2 periods per week) for a 6 month period to plan, design, implement