LResearchers now know a lot about the qualities of effective professional development; professional development that changes classroom practice and allows more students to learn at higher levels. This research validates our own experiences and our belief in professional development that contributes to more than the growth of individual teachers. For changes to be sustained, professional development needs to aid in the transformation of classrooms and schools into learning communities committed to continuous improvement.
- Deepen teacher content knowledge and pedagogical skills, weaving the two together.
- Contribute to the
ideal of professional development as an on-going, sustained part of teaching.
- Directly support
school goals and missions.
- Are built around
teacher collaboration with teachers as active participants that guide, explore,
discuss, and apply new information.
- Begin and end by looking at their effect on student achievement.