Professional Development part of the Education Reform Network

Design

Staff development that improves the learning of all students uses learning strategies appropriate to the intended goal.

Rationale:

Successful staff development requires that planners select learning strategies that are appropriate to the intended outcome and other situational factors. The following links support this standard:

• National Institute for Science Education
  Links to publications from Professional Development Team.
• Professional Development: NSBA
  Toolkit developed by the National School Boards Association. Topics include: Models for Professional Development, Planning Professional Development, Evaluating the Professional Development Plan, Professional Development Issues, Professional Development Research and Resources.
• Professional Development:Learning From the Best
  A Toolkit for Schools and Districts Based on the National Awards Program for Model Professional DevelopmentBy Emily Hassel .
• Open Space Technology
  Describes the process to facilitate open space technology.
• Professional Development: Staff Learning for Student Results
  Links to resources in NCREL to help staff developer plan.
• Using The Knowledge Loom: Ideas and Tools forCollaborative Professional DevelopmentA Guidebook for Professional Development Facilitators and Participants
  Guidebook helps staff developer work through the steps for collaborative professional development. Downloadable in PDF format.
• Successful Method Travels Fast
  Louisiana�s Early Literacy Initiative has helped youngsters significantly improve their reading achievement, particularly those farthest behind. Teachers take part in action research and have the support of a project coordinator to help them focus on the task at hand.
• Critical Issue: Realizing New Learning for All Students Through Professional Development
  Overview of designing professional development for teachers to teach all students. Provides links to model program and other resource.
• Helping Teachers Through High-Quality Professional Development
  Archived articles, project, and other resources that address teacher development.
• Notes and Reflections
  Online newsletter published three times per year by NCREL for professional developers. The newsletter is free and subscribers are notified by e-mail that an issue is online.
• Network Energy
  The eight-year-old League of Professional Schools coined the term Practitioner-Driven Network (PDN) to describe networks, like the League, that put teachers and principals at the center of their efforts. Schools in these networks facilitate each other�s work in becoming democratic learning communities that are student-oriented and focused on improving teaching and learning for all.
• On-the-job learning
  Professional learning can occur in many venues not usually thought of as professional development opportunities. This article details workplace activities that promote job-embedded learning.
• Professional Development: ENC
  Comprehensive website for professional development leaders. Links to:By Your Own DesignThis project from ENC and NSDC is designed to help you create and implement an individual professional learning plan.Federal ResourcesPrograms, materials, and web sites offered by federal agencies and organizations.
• Smart Induction Programs Become Lifelines for the Beginning Teacher
  Retirements and retention are just two factors contributing to the need for stronger induction programs. Beginning teachers need a well-designed and implemented effort to improve their early practice, and districts can use quality induction programs to draw new teachers to their district.
• Quick Training Tips
  Designed for trainers in all fields, this Australian website offers hints on training.
• Solutions
  Designed for the private and nonprofit sector, this site provides strategies, newsletters and other information for training.
• By Your Own Design
  Collaboration between ENC and NSDC to develop tools for staff developers.
• Reach For the Stars: Individual Learning Plans Allow Teachers to Take Charge of Their Own Learning
  As teachers align their professional growth with improving student achievement, they need to develop individual learning plans that align with district and school goals. Steps to follow in developing an individual learning plan include identifying goals based on examination of student data and reflection.
• Designing Effective Professional DevelopmentA Conceptual Framework
  Conceptual framework for professional development in science and mathematics.
• Association for Training and Development
  Professional organization for trainers in the private sector. Most resources require membership, but there are online articles.
• Log on to learn
  Distance learning has a new look. What used to be characterized by correspondence courses, videotapes, and satellite downlinks has moved to the desktop and involves streaming video and audio, desktop videoconferencing, and high-end multimedia.