Can Educational Technical Assistance (ATE) be a Strategy for Teacher Professional Development? Reflections from a Chilean Case Study

Abstract

In Chile, within the context of the Preferential School Subsidy law (SEP), schools receive support for the design and implementation of their school improvement plans from Educational Technical Assistance (ATE) agencies. Based on a case study on the relationship between a university-based ATE and a municipal primary school this paper addresses the topic of teacher professional development in Chile. Although the case study did not intend to directly investigate the topic of teacher professional development it was systematically highlighted by the participants of the study. Consequently, this paper looks back at the findings of the case study and discusses the role of ATE as a strategy for school-based professional development. Finally, a theoretical reflection is presented on the tension between two practical orientations that could characterise ATE’s approach to school-based professional development in this and similar cases.