Abstract:

The idea of ensuring the quality of schoolchildren's education is one of the key problems for the development of education in Europe as well as in Russia.

The quality of secondary education is not determined solely by the material equipment of educational institutions or by the level of teaching staff salaries only. Primarily, it depends on the quality of teacher-student interaction in the classroom. In other words, the educational system cannot be better than teachers who compose it. So upgrading the skills of teachers, their professional growth (through self-education and participation in any activities which are organized by schools and by other organizations) will determine the quality of education.
The article discusses the concept of "professional development of educational specialists" as well as a variety of content of the work with teaching staff for their professional growth. The various forms of the teachers’ methodical work are considered. One of these forms – interschool professional association of teachers – is studied and discussed in detail.

The numerous opportunities for the professional development of educational specialists and for enhancing students’ cognitive activity at the study of chemistry are shown on the example of the work of Russian interregional public organization "Association of Chemistry Teachers and Professors". The objective of this professional community’s activity is coordination of chemistry teachers’ work, creation the conditions for their professional development, and the organization of training for most gifted learners.

First of all, the organization model of the Association’s work is described. Then, the analysis of the activity of this professional community in Tver region (Russia) for the period of 2011 to 2013 is conducted. Lastly, the ways of further development of "Association of Chemistry Teachers and Professors" is scheduled. In addition, the article reviews and discusses the Regulations of the Tver regional office of Russian interregional public organization "Association of Chemistry Teachers and Professors", which was approved at the First Congress of teachers and professors of chemistry of Tver region (Russia) in March 2011.

Keywords:

Professional community, association of chemistry teachers, development of educational specialists.