The committee should ensure that professional development objectives are aligned to support district and school improvement plan goals. The committee, perhaps in collaboration with the district data team (see Assessment recommendation above), should compile and review data in order to identify important areas of focus for professional development. The data could include assessment results, data from learning walks, and formal input from teachers, such as through a survey. In addition to identifying topics and focus areas for professional development, the committee should ensure that professional development is differentiated based on teachers’ roles and needs. The district should ensure that sufficient resources (time, funding, staff, materials, technology, etc.) are available to provide sustained support over time for educators to achieve the identified learning objectives.The district should investigate ways to increase teachers’ participation in professional development sessions offered during early release days, as well as in embedded professional development opportunities, such as common planning time. The district should consider collaborating with the MTA to provide teachers with incentives to attend professional development sessions on early release days. Teachers should be encouraged to develop agendas for common planning meetings that provide opportunities to extend and deepen learning from professional development. Recommended resources: The Massachusetts Standards for Professional Development () describe, identify, and characterize what high quality learning experiences should look like for educators. ESE’s Mathematics Learning Community materials () are designed to support job-embedded professional development for K-8 mathematics teachers. Their focus is to develop teachers' content knowledge through examining students' work in professional learning communities. The PLC Expansion Project website () is designed to support schools and districts in their efforts to establish and sustain cultures that promote Professional Learning Communities. PBS LearningMedia () is a free digital media content library that provides relevant educational resources for PreK-12 teachers. The flexible platform includes high-quality content tied to national curriculum standards, as well as professional development courses. Quick Reference Guide: Educator Evaluation & Professional Development () describes how educator evaluation and professional development can be used as mutually reinforcing systems to improve educator practice and student outcomes.
The committee should ensure that professional development objectives are aligned to support district and school improvement plan goals. The committee, perhaps in collaboration with the district data team (see Assessment recommendation above), should compile and review data in order to identify important areas of focus for professional development. The data could include assessment results, data from learning walks, and formal input from teachers, such as through a survey. In addition to identifying topics and focus areas for professional development, the committee should ensure that professional development is differentiated based on teachers’ roles and needs. The district should ensure that sufficient resources (time, funding, staff, materials, technology, etc.) are available to provide sustained support over time for educators to achieve the identified learning objectives.The district should investigate ways to increase teachers’ participation in professional development sessions offered during early release days, as well as in embedded professional development opportunities, such as common planning time. The district should consider collaborating with the MTA to provide teachers with incentives to attend professional development sessions on early release days. Teachers should be encouraged to develop agendas for common planning meetings that provide opportunities to extend and deepen learning from professional development. Recommended resources: The Massachusetts Standards for Professional Development () describe, identify, and characterize what high quality learning experiences should look like for educators. ESE’s Mathematics Learning Community materials () are designed to support job-embedded professional development for K-8 mathematics teachers. Their focus is to develop teachers' content knowledge through examining students' work in professional learning communities. The PLC Expansion Project website () is designed to support schools and districts in their efforts to establish and sustain cultures that promote Professional Learning Communities. PBS LearningMedia () is a free digital media content library that provides relevant educational resources for PreK-12 teachers. The flexible platform includes high-quality content tied to national curriculum standards, as well as professional development courses. Quick Reference Guide: Educator Evaluation & Professional Development () describes how educator evaluation and professional development can be used as mutually reinforcing systems to improve educator practice and student outcomes.
2014-0176.docx