Professional Development part of the Education Reform Network

Quality Staff Development

Quality professional learning is defined in the NSDC Standards for Staff Development, Revised. These standards, developed in conjunction with over 15 organizations, identify the characteristics of high quality professional development for educators.

National Staff Development Council's revised Standards for Staff Development reflect what NSDC and the broader education community have learned about professional learning since creation of the original standards in 1995.

The revision of the standards was guided by three questions:

• What are all students expected to know and be able to do?
• What must teachers know and do in order to ensure student success?
• Where must staff development focus to meet both goals?

Staff development standards provide direction for designing a professional development experience that ensures educators acquire the necessary knowledge and skills. Staff development must be results-driven, standards-based, and job-embedded.

The 12 revised standards are divided into the three categories of context, process, and content.

• NSDC Standards for Staff Development