IMPACT OF TEACHERS PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT ON TEACHING EFFECTIVENESS OF SECONDARY SCHOOL ECONOMICS TEACHERS IN LAGOS STATE

This study examines the impact of professional development on the teaching effectiveness of secondary school Economics teachers in Lagos State, focusing on instructional materials, teaching methodology, evaluation, and classroom management. The research assess how various dimensions of professional development influence teachers' practices and ultimately affect student learning outcomes. A descriptive survey design was employed, with data collected from 120 Economics teachers across 15 public senior secondary schools in Education District III, Lagos State. A well-structured questionnaire was used to gather data, and statistical methods, including descriptive statistics and Chi-square tests, were applied for analysis. The findings reveal that professional development significantly enhances teachers' ability to select and utilize instructional materials, with 90% of respondents indicating improvements in this area. Similarly, professional development positively impacts teaching methodologies, as 90% of participants acknowledged that training equipped them with effective instructional strategies. The study also shows that professional development improves teachers' skills in designing assessments aligned with learning objectives, with 90% reporting enhanced competencies in evaluation. Furthermore, 90% of the respondents stated that professional development improved their classroom management skills, creating a more conducive learning environment. These results underscore the critical role of continuous professional development in fostering teacher effectiveness, ultimately contributing to improved student outcomes in Economics education. The study concludes that professional development should be a priority for educational stakeholders, as it significantly enhances teachers' capabilities across multiple domains. Recommendations include regular professional development workshops, fostering teacher collaboration, integrating technology in teaching, and the continuous assessment of professional development programs to ensure their relevance and effectiveness Keywords: Professional development, teaching effectiveness, instructional materials, teaching methodology, Economics teachers, student outcomes.