HomePsychology and Education: A Multidisciplinary Journalvol. 40 no. 5 (2025)

Barriers to the Professional Development of Teachers and Their Teaching Performance

Metchel Guzman | Phoebe Aguilar

Discipline: Education

 

Abstract:

In the changing world of education, professional development is significant to improve educational practices. Using a descriptive-correlational research design, data was gathered from teachers of the three public secondary schools in San Fernando, Bukidnon. The findings revealed that financial constraints were the primary barrier to teachers’ professional development, followed by time limitations and lack of accountability. Additionally, teachers expressed that more affordable professional development programs would encourage increased participation. In assessing teachers' performance, it was found that teachers generally agreed that the Individual Performance Commitment and Review Form (IPCRF) accurately reflected their abilities, particularly in areas like assessment design and improving student learning. However, there was less consensus about their capability to create a safe and inclusive learning environment, highlighting the need for more focus on this aspect of teaching performance. Despite these evaluations, the study revealed no significant correlation between barriers to professional development and teachers' teaching performance. The study concludes that while professional development barriers like financial constraints and time limitations are significant, they do not have a direct impact on teaching performance. Therefore, other factors may be influencing teaching effectiveness, suggesting that overcoming professional development barriers alone may not substantially enhance overall teaching performance. Recommendations include prioritizing financial support for teacher development, creating more flexible programs, and considering other variables that may affect teaching effectiveness, such as school culture and leadership.



References:

  1. Ahn, H. S., Mangulabnan, P. A. T. M., & Lee, J. (2022). Online teaching barriers, motivations, and stress of in-service teachers: Renewed challenges and opportunities with future perspectives. International Journal of Learning, Teaching and Educational Research, 21(1), 301-322. http://www.ijlter.net/index.php/ijlter/article/view/1242
  2. Alvarez, A. V., Ventura, D. R. M., & Opiniano, J. H. (2020). Going the distance: Perceptions of teachers in open and distance continuing professional development. Globus Journal of Progressive Education, 20(2), 60-66. https://globusedujournal.in/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/GE-JD207-Abel-V.-Alvarez.pdf
  3. Babbie, E. R. (2020). The Practice of Social Research (15th ed.). Cengage Learning. https://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=lFvjDwAAQBAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PP1&dq=Babbie,+E.+R.+(2020).+The+Practice+of+Social+Research+(15th+ed.).+Cengage+Learning.&ots=I4zX0D1RW9&sig=q7_Hbi-sIhClzKODvpQVdZNYvQA
  4. Bautista, A., and Ortega-Ruíz, R., 2015. Teacher professional development: International perspectives and approaches. Psychology, Society and Education, 7(3), 240-251. https://scholarworks.uaeu.ac.ae/ijre/vol46/iss2/1/
  5. Becker, G.S. (1964) Human Capital: A Theoretical and Empirical Analysis, with Special Reference to Education. University of Chicago Press, Chicago. https://www.ceeol.com/search/article-detail?id=1193808
  6. Bernardo, A. B., Wong-Fernandez, B., Macalaguing Jr, M. D., & Navarro, R. C. (2020). Filipino senior high school teachers’ continuing professional development attitudes: Exploring the roles of perceived demand amid a national education reform. Journal of Research, Policy & Practice of Teachers and Teacher Education, 10(2), 63-76. http://ojs.upsi.edu.my/index.php/JRPPTTE/article/view/4193
  7. Borko, H. (2004). Professional development and teacher learning: Mapping the terrain. Educational Researcher, 33(8), 3–15. https://www.uv.uio.no/quint/english/news-and-events/events/conferences-and-seminars/2023/
  8. Børte, K., Nesje, K., & Lillejord, S. (2023). Barriers to student active learning in higher education. Teaching in Higher Education, 28(3), 597-615. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/13562517.2020.1839746
  9. Bowman, M. A., Vongkulluksn, V. W., Jiang, Z., & Xie, K. (2022). Teachers’ exposure to professional development and the quality of their instructional technology use: The mediating role of teachers’ value and ability beliefs. Journal of Research on Technology in Education, 54(2), 188-204. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/15391523.2020.1830895
  10. Brown, T. (2021). The impact of financial constraints on employee training: An organizational perspective. Human Resource Development Quarterly, 32(4), 345-367. https://www.taylorfrancis.com/books/mono/10.4324/9781003246381/career-development-kimberly-mcdonald-linda-hite
  11. Brown, T., & Green, S. (2021). The role of accountability in professional development: A motivational perspective. Journal of Workplace Learning, 33(2), 120-136. https://eric.ed.gov/?id=ED614964
  12. Chin, J. M. C., Ching, G. S., del Castillo, F., Wen, T. H., Huang, Y. C., del Castillo, C. D., ... & Trajera, S. M. (2022). Perspectives on the Barriers to and Needs of Teachers’ Professional Development in the Philippines during COVID-19. Sustainability, 14(1), 470. https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/14/1/470
  13. Cilliers, J., Fleisch, B., Kotze, J., Mohohlwane, N., Taylor, S., & Thulare, T. (2022). Can virtual replace in-person coaching? Experimental evidence on teacher professional development and student learning. Journal of Development Economics, 155, 102815. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0304387821001668
  14. Cochran-Smith, M; Lytle, S.L., 2001. Beyond certainty: taking an inquiry stance on practice. In: Lieberman, A.; Miller, L. (Eds). Teachers caught in the action: professional development that matters. New York: Teachers College Press. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/10476210.2020.1868142
  15. Conradty, C., & Bogner, F. X. (2020). STEAM teaching professional development works: Effects on students’ creativity and motivation. Smart Learning Environments, 7(1), 26. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s40561-020-00132-9
  16. Creswell, J. W., & Creswell, J. D. (2018). Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Methods Approaches (5th ed.). SAGE Publications. https://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=2s0IEAAAQBAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PT8&dq=Creswell,+J.+W.,+%26+Creswell,+J.+D.+(2018).+Research+Design:+Qualitative,+Quantitative,+and+Mixed+Methods+Approaches+(5th+ed.).+SAGE+Publications.&ots=90-9SSAPL9&sig=dRnPnEMUXMkK4KG8Zh7UqaVyMQY
  17. Darling-Hammond, L. (2000). Teacher quality and student achievement. Education policy analysis archives, 8(1), 1-44. http://dx.doi.org/10.14507/epaa.v8n1.2000
  18. Darling-Hammond, L., Hyler, M. E., & Gardner, M. (2017). Effective Teacher        ProfessionalDevelopment. Palo Alto, CA: Learning Policy Institute. https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Elza-Lama/publication/
  19. Desimone, L. M. (2011). A primer on effective professional development. Phi Delta Kappan, 92(6), 68-71. https://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=j3epEAAAQBAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PA65&dq=Desimone,+L.+M.+(2011).+A+primer+on+effective+professional+development.+Phi+Delta+Kappan,+92(6),+68-71.&ots=7IrEjYcR6X&sig=qNrw65XzWMhRUgI1bHDHKxy-QyI
  20. Desimone, L., 2009. Improving impact studies of teachers’ professional development: Toward better conceptualizations and measures. Educational Researcher, 38(3), 181-199. https://www.sjesr.org.pk/ojs/index.php/ojs/article/view/563
  21. Dille, K. B., & Røkenes, F. M. (2021). Teachers’ professional development in formal online communities: A scoping review. Teaching and Teacher Education, 105, 103431. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0742051X21001554
  22. Drage, K. (2010). Barriers to professional development in education: A study of teachers’ participation in training programs. International Journal of Educational Development, 30(4), 325-338.
  23. Eroglu, M. &, Kaya, V.D. (2021). Professional development barriers of teachers: a qualitative research. International Journal of Curriculum and Instruction 13(2) (2021) 1896–1922
  24. Fabriz, S., Hansen, M., Heckmann, C., Mordel, J., Mendzheritskaya, J., Stehle, S., ... & Horz, H. (2021). How a professional development programme for university teachers impacts their teaching-related self-efficacy, self-concept, and subjective knowledge. Higher Education Research & Development, 40(4), 738-752. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/07294360.2020.1787957
  25. Fairman, J. C., Smith, D. J., Pullen, P. C., & Lebel, S. J. (2022). The challenge of keeping teacher professional development relevant. In Leadership for professional learning (pp. 251-263). Routledge. https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.4324/9781003357384-17/challenge-keeping-teacher-professional-development-relevant-janet-fairman-david-smith-paige-pullen-steve-lebel
  26. Fernandez-Manzanal, R., Garcia-Esteban, C., & Garcia, A. (2015). Factors influencing teachers’ participation in professional development. Teaching and Teacher Education, 52, 32-40.
  27. Fraenkel, J. R., Wallen, N. E., & Hyun, H. H. (2019). How to Design and Evaluate Research in Education (10th ed.). McGraw-Hill Education.
  28. Garcia, L. (2022). Financial barriers to professional development: A quantitative analysis. Journal of Professional Development, 29(2), 150-165.
  29. Garcia, L., & Lee, M. (2023). Leadership and accountability: Driving professional development in organizations. International Journal of Human Resource Management, 34(1), 45-62.
  30. Geldenhuys, M., & Oosthuizen, I. J. (2015). Barriers to teacher professional development in South Africa: A study of teachers’ perspectives. Educational Research for Policy and Practice, 14(2), 99-113.
  31. Gordon, S. P. (2016). Teacher Burnout and Teacher Turnover: An Overview of the Research. Educational Leadership, 74(4), 78-81.
  32. Guskey, T. R. (2002). Professional development and teacher change. Teachers and Teaching: Theory and Practice, 8(3), 381–391.
  33. Guskey, T. R. (2016). Implementing effective professional development. Educational Leadership, 74(3), 10-15.
  34. Hair, J. F., Black, W. C., Babin, B. J., & Anderson, R. E. (2019). Multivariate data analysis (8th ed.). Cengage Learning.
  35. Hattie, J. (2009). Visible Learning: A Synthesis of Over 800 Meta-Analyses Relating to Achievement. Routledge.
  36. Haug, B. S., & Mork, S. M. (2021). Taking 21st century skills from vision to classroom: What teachers highlight as supportive professional development in the light of new demands from educational reforms. Teaching and teacher education, 100, 103286. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0742051X2100010X
  37. Hirsch, S. (2018). What Are the Key Components of Effective Professional Development? American Educator, 42(2), 18-22.
  38. Ingersoll, R. M. (2003). Is There Really a Teacher Shortage? American Educator, 27(1), 28-32.
  39. Ingersoll, R., & Strong, M. (2011). The impact of induction and mentoring programs for beginning teachers: A critical review of the research. Review of Educational Research, 81(2), 201–233.
  40. Johnson, R. (2021). Modeling growth: The impact of leadership accountability on employee development. Leadership Quarterly, 32(3), 255-270.
  41. Johnson, R., & Lee, M. (2019). Understanding the financial challenges of career advancement in lower-income professionals. Career Development International, 24(1), 54-72.
  42. Kilag, O. K. T., & Sasan, J. M. (2023). Unpacking the role of instructional leadership in teacher professional development. Advanced Qualitative Research, 1(1), 63-73. https://journals.researchsynergypress.com/index.php/aqr/article/view/1380
  43. Kilag, O. K. T., Bariquit, I. A., Glipa, C. G., Ignacio, R. A. R. A., Alvez, G. U., Guilot, R. T., & Sasan, J. M. (2023). Implication of Individual Plan for Professional Development (IPPD) on Teachers’ Professional Development and Career Advancement. Basic and Applied Education Research Journal, 4(1), 12-18. http://baerjournal.org/index.php/baerj/article/view/79
  44. Kwakman, K. (2003). Factors affecting teachers’ participation in professional development programs. Teaching and Teacher Education, 19(2), 129-145.
  45. Lind, G. (2007). Barriers to teachers’ professional development: A study of personal and contextual challenges. Journal of Educational Research, 100(1), 29-38.
  46. Lucilio, L. (2009). What secondary teachers need in professional development. Journal of Catholic Education, 13(1). https://doi.org/10.15365
  47. Ma, P. W. W., & Shea, M. (2021). First-generation college students’ perceived barriers and career outcome expectations: Exploring contextual and cognitive factors. Journal of Career Development, 48(2), 91-104. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/0894845319827650
  48. Maguate, G. S., Ohoylan, J. G. D., Sotto, N. A. B., Moises, R. D., & Alegre, A. B. (2024). Exploring in-service training programs for teacher development in the Philippines. International Research Journal of Science, Technology, Education, & Management (IRJSTEM), 4(3). https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Guarin-Maguate/publication/385863225_Exploring_in-service_training_programs_for_teacher_development_in_the_Philippines/links/6737ed7169c07a4114483899/Exploring-in-service-training-programs-for-teacher-development-in-the-Philippines.pdf
  49. Marques, M. M., & Pombo, L. (2021). The impact of teacher training using mobile augmented reality games on their professional development. Education Sciences, 11(8), 404. https://www.mdpi.com/2227-7102/11/8/404
  50. Martin, A. (2022). Building a culture of accountability: The key to professional development success. Organizational Development Journal, 40(4), 301-315.
  51. McChesney, K., & Aldridge, J. M. (2021). What gets in the way? A new conceptual model for the trajectory from teacher professional development to impact. Professional development in education, 47(5), 834-852. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/19415257.2019.1667412
  52. Medallo, E., & Constantino, J. (2020). Extent and barriers of Collaboration among Administrators in Teachers’ Professional Development Program. Journal of Humanities and Education Development (JHED) ISSN, 2581-8651. https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/2e18/201828d77c3a1a646512186e990d0a9a30e2.pdf
  53. Meesuk, P., Sramoon, B., & Wongrugsa, A. (2020). Classroom action research-based instruction: The sustainable teacher professional development strategy. Journal of teacher Education for Sustainability, 22(1), 98-110. https://sciendo.com/pdf/10.2478/jtes-2020-0008
  54. Mofield, E. L. (2020). Benefits and barriers to collaboration and co-teaching: Examining perspectives of gifted education teachers and general education teachers. Gifted Child Today, 43(1), 20-33. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/1076217519880588
  55. Ocariza, E., Kilag, O. K., Olasiman, J., & Abendan, C. F. (2023). Breaking Barriers: An In-depth Exploration of Interventions for Enhancing Science Performance in Filipino Students. Excellencia: International Multi-disciplinary Journal of Education (2994-9521), 1(5), 268-278. https://multijournals.org/index.php/excellencia-imje/article/view/130
  56. OECD, 2010. PISA 2009 Results: What Makes a School Successful? Resources, Policies and Practices. OECD, Paris.
  57. OECD, 2019. TALIS 2018 Technical Report. OECD, Paris.
  58. OECD. (2014). Teaching and Learning International Survey (TALIS) 2013: Results and analysis. OECD Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1787/9789264196261-en
  59. Opfer, V. D., & Pedder, D. (2011). Conceptualizing teacher professional learning. Review of Educational Research, 81(3), 376–407.
  60. Ottenbreit-Leftwich, A. T., Glazewski, K. D., Newby, T. J., & Ertmer, P. A. (2010). Teacher value beliefs associated with using technology: Addressing professional and student needs. Computers & Education, 55(3), 1321–1335.
  61. Özoğlu, M. (2011). Turkey’s teacher training policy. 21st Century Turkey’s Education and Science Policy Symposium, 10-11 December 2011(143-155), Ankara.
  62. Reeves, D. B. (2010). Transforming Professional Development into Student Results. ASCD.
  63. Regmi, K., & Jones, L. (2020). A systematic review of the factors–enablers and barriers–affecting e-learning in health sciences education. BMC medical education, 20, 1-18. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12909-020-02007-6
  64. Saha, L. J. and Dworkin, G. A., 2009. Introduction: New perspectives on teachers and teaching. In: L. J. Saha and A. G. Dworkin, eds. International handbook of research on teachers and teaching. New York: Springer, 3-11.
  65. Santiago, P. (2002), “Teacher Demand and Supply: Improving Teaching Quality and Addressing Teacher Shortages”, OECD Education Working Papers, No. 1, OECD Publishing.
  66. Schultz, T. W. (1961). Investment in Human Capital. The American Economic Review, 51(1), 1–17. http://www.jstor.org/stable/1818907
  67. Seferoğlu, S. S. (2004). Teacher competencies and professional development. Journal of Education in Science and Intelligence, 58, 40-41.
  68. Smith, C., & Gillespie, M. (2023). Research on professional development and teacher change: Implications for adult basic education. In Review of Adult Learning and Literacy, Volume 7 (pp. 205-244). Routledge. https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.4324/9781003417996-7/research-professional-development-teacher-change-implications-adult-basic-education-cristine-smith-marilyn-gillespie
  69. Smith, J. (2020). The cost of professional growth: Understanding financial barriers. Journal of Career Development, 45(3), 233-245.
  70. Snyder, K. (2017). Navigating Educational Change: How Teacher Perceptions Shape Professional Development. Journal of Educational Change, 18(3), 231-253.
  71. Sumalinog, G. G. (2022). Barriers of online education in the new normal: Teachers’ perspectives. International Journal of Learning, Teaching and Educational Research, 21(1), 33-50. http://www.ijlter.net/index.php/ijlter/article/download/1228/1234
  72. Taherdoost, H. (2016). Sampling methods in research methodology; How to choose a sampling technique for research. International Journal of Academic Research in Management (IJARM), 5(2), 18–27. https://doi.org/10.2139
  73. TALIS. (2018). Teaching and Learning International Survey (TALIS) 2018: Results [Report]. OECD Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1787/9789264313835-en
  74. Tantawy, N. (2020). Investigating teachers’ perceptions of the influence of professional development on teachers’ performance and career progression. Arab World English Journal (AWEJ) Volume, 11. https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=3582306
  75. Tavakol, M., & Dennick, R. (2011). Making sense of Cronbach’s Alpha. International Journal of Medical Education, 2, 53–55. https://doi.org/10.5116/ijme.4dfb.8dfd
  76. Thompson, A. (2020). Organizational culture and employee training: The role of investment in professional development. International Journal of Training and Development, 24(3), 289-306.
  77. Thompson, J. (2022). Unpacking accountability: The missing link in professional development strategies. Journal of Professional Development, 30(2), 102-119.
  78. Timperley, H., Wilson, A., Barrar, H., & Fung, I. (2007). Teacher Professional Learning and Development: Best Evidence Synthesis Iteration [BES]. Wellington: Ministry of Education.
  79. Tulo, N. B., & Lee, J. (2022). Continuing Professional Development of the Teacher Education Faculty among Philippine State Universities and Colleges. International Journal of Learning, Teaching and Educational Research, 21(6), 324-344. http://www.ijlter.net/index.php/ijlter/article/view/1355
  80. UNESCO, 2015. Education 2030, Incheon declaration (ıd) and framework for action. http://uis.unesco.org/sites/default/ files/documents/education-2030-incheon-framework-for-action-implementation-of-sdg4-2016-en_2.pdf
  81. Upitis, R. (2005). Experiences of artists and artist-teachers involved in teacher professional development programs. International Journal of Education & the Arts, 6, www.ijea.asu.edu/v6n8/
  82. Vangrieken, K., Meredith, C., Packer, T., & Kyndt, E. (2017). Teacher communities as a context for professional development: A systematic review. Teaching and Teacher Education, 61, 47–59.
  83. Wei, R. C., Darling-Hammond, L., & Adamson, F. (2010). Professional Development in the United States: Trends and Challenges. Santa Cruz, CA: National Staff Development Council.
  84. Willemse, T. M., Ten Dam, G., Geijsel, F., Van Wessum, L., & Volman, M. (2015). Fostering teachers’ professional development for citizenship education. Teaching and teacher education, 49, 118-127.
  85. Williams, K. (2020). The clarity gap: Understanding the need for clear expectations in professional growth. Career Development Quarterly, 68(1), 67-81.
  86. Yaylacı, A. F. (2013). Approach the problem for teachers to develop themselves. Uşak University Journal of Social Science Special Issue, 25-40.
  87. Yoon, K. S., Duncan, T., Lee, S. W.-Y., Scarloss, B., & Shapley, K. (2007). Reviewing the evidence on how teacher professional development affects student achievement (Issues & Answers Report, REL 2007-No. 033). Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Education, Institute of Education Sciences, National Center for Education Evaluation and Regional Assistance, Regional Educational Laboratory Southwest.
  88. Yüner, B. (2022). Teachers’ professional development needs and barriers: The case of Turkey. Kastamonu Education Journal, 30(1), 1-10. doi:10.24106/kefdergi.739576
  89. Zhang, S., Shi, Q., & Lin, E. (2020). Professional development needs, support, and barriers: TALIS US new and veteran teachers’ perspectives. Professional development in education, 46(3), 440-453. ps://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/19415257.2019.1614967