Continuing professional development of teachers: Analysis and reflections

The dissociation between the professional practice of teachers and an educational reality in permanent change has been a constant concern of scholars dealing with educational systems. This study reviews teaching policies in complex scenarios in an attempt to identify trends and critical issues. On the one hand, policies that refer to initial teacher education, the selection of teachers, entry teaching programs, aspects of the professional career, and the importance of teaching performance assessment are discussed. On the other, critical aspects and the need to attract and retain good teachers, the phases of the teaching career, professional incentives, and linkages between the career and professional development are reviewed. Finally, suggestions for improvement are presented in relation to the different stages of development considered in each context of analysis.