A Professional Development School's Evolution Potential: Teachers' Initial Perceptions of Their Teaching and Learning Community

The major aim of this research was to investigate the environment of a secondary school as it began to become a professional development school. Using the theoretical dynamic of technical cultures, open systems theory, and organisational learning as background, the use of quantitative and qualitative data describes the practical dynamic of a learning environment at the initial stage of becoming a professional development school. This article uncovers instructors' perceptions of teaching and learning in a secondary context, offers a framework to investigate the school's teaching and learning environment, and suggests ways to use such investigation to understand the evolution potential of learning communities.