A Unique Professional Development Opportunity Teachers Teaching Teachers

STARR (Select Teachers As Regional Resources) is a state-level professional development program for Missouri schools created under provisions of the Outstanding Schools Act. The program provides professional classroom-tested training to help teachers use authentic instruction, performance-based assessment and Missouri's new academic performance standards.

The Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education launched the STARR program during the spring of 1994. After a year of preparation, the 24 teachers selected to participate in the program were based at eight state universities during the 1995-96 school year. Traveling to various school sites near their university base, they have provided inservice for teachers throughout the state of Missouri.

Each year a new group of STARR teachers is selected from applicants. (Active teachers from school districts throughout the state.) After selection, they are provided inservice workshops emphasizing authentic instructional techniques throughout the school year. After each inservice, teachers return to their classes at their home schools to practice the skills and techniques learned. On at least 10 days during the school year, they attend seminars and meet in statewide or regional groups for feedback, further development of skills and other follow-up activities.

After a year of training and practice, each new group of STARR teachers go on leave, made possible by the funding from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, and report to one of nine university sites. From these sites STARR teachers are available to conduct seminars in authentic instruction for schools and school districts in the surrounding regions.