Step 4: Complete the evaluation plan. Why should you evaluate
professional development? Your evaluation should address two
basic questions: Did the activity, including all of the
components, take place as planned? Did the activity achieve the
intended outcomes for teachers and for students? Answers to the
first question will tell you whether the plan you are developing
now was implemented and, if not, where and why implementation
fell short. This information can help avoid problems in the
future. Answers to the second question will help you learn about
the extent to which the activity resulted in the intended
changes in teacher knowledge, skills, and performance and in the
intended improvements in student learning. These evaluation
results can also help pinpoint areas where additional
professional development and support may be necessary. In
addition, because professional development is a critical
component of school improvement, evaluation results can help
determine if these efforts are on track or if mid-co