Design a Professional Development Program - Essay Example

Research supports that the best professional development program is one that is data-driven, constructivist by nature, results-oriented, and job embedded. (State of Vermont DOE, 2010) A successful professional development approach must be standards based and aligned with carrying forth the school’s overall mission and vision; while at the same time meeting the professional and personal needs of the staff, as well as the students and stakeholders. It requires reflection on the past with the goal of instituting initiatives to improve the quality indicators that will impact the future.

(Mahaffey, Lind, &Derse) At the beginning, many factors must be taken into consideration. The school must do a careful self-assessment comparing data from the student performance indicators, as well as from the performance evaluations of the staff. Several factors will arise from this needs assessment: interests, current skill sets, values, challenges, strengths, and limitations. It will provide an overall health assessment of the school as a whole as well as an individual picture of each staff member.

(Educause, 2006) There are four major areas of development that professional development plans focus on: literacy, numeracy, teaching skills, and student outcomes. Literacy learning comprises the five areas of reading, writing and spelling, adolescent literacy, and English Language Learners proficiency. Numeracy focuses on content and processing standards set by the individual states with benchmarks for Common Core State Standards. The next area is teaching skills which focuses on general teaching skills as well as response to intervention.

The last area is student outcomes, which focuses on dropout prevention, school improvement, and using data. By taking a broad picture as well as microscopic view of these areas for potential improvement, the school as a whole, as well as each educator, will be able to identify specific needs to focus on for development. By comparing student performance achievement with outcomes generated by individual educators, as well as educator self-assessments, it is possible to set goals for development that will facilitate overall improvement and satisfaction among staff members.

(Professional Development Tools, nd.) The next step is setting goals. One of the most successful ways to set goals is using the SMART plan. This plan outlines how to write goals that are subjective, measurable, achievable, realistic and timely. Through setting SMART goals, both long range and short range, it is easier to evaluate when these goals have been accomplished and it is time to move on to the next area of development. (Rose, 2006) SMART goals are specific and strategic; they focus on a certain area and zero in on ways to improve it; they are measurable with indicators showing success.

They take into account for limitations such as budgets and the human condition; therefore they are achievable. SMART goals are relevant and rigorous as well as encourage innovations to produce the desired results. Finally, they provide the structure of a timeframe so as to keep the improvement process from frustrating itself. (SMART Goals, 2010-2018) (WEAC, 2011) Professional development must be committed to equity and excellence. It must take into account all the essential elements that will be involved in the process; curriculum,