Establish coherent, research-based professional learning aligned with organizational vision and goals for educator and student growth.
This involves creating a structured and well-thought-out plan for professional development that is aligned with the needs of educators and the goals of the organization. Coherence implies that there is a logical sequence or connection between different learning activities, ensuring that they build upon each other and contribute to the overall growth of educators and, by extension, students.
Research-Based Approach: Professional learning should be grounded in research and best practices in education. This means that decisions about what to include in professional development programs should be informed by evidence of what works in improving teaching effectiveness, student learning outcomes, and educational leadership.
Alignment with Organizational Vision and Goals: The professional learning opportunities provided to educators should be directly connected to the broader vision and goals of the educational institution or system. This ensures that professional development efforts are not only relevant but also contribute to advancing the overall mission and strategic objectives of the organization.
Focus on Educator Growth: Professional learning should be designed to support the continuous growth and development of educators at all stages of their careers. This includes providing opportunities for skill development, knowledge acquisition, reflective practice, and collaboration with colleagues.
Focus on Student Growth: Ultimately, the goal of professional learning is to improve student outcomes. Therefore, professional development initiatives should be designed with a clear understanding of how they will impact student learning and achievement. This might involve aligning professional learning objectives with specific student performance metrics or academic standards.
Differentiated Learning Opportunities: Recognizing that educators have diverse needs, interests, and levels of expertise, professional learning should offer differentiated opportunities that cater to the varying needs of individual educators or groups of educators. This could include offering a mix of workshops, courses, coaching, mentoring, online resources, and other forms of support.
Continuous Improvement: Professional learning should be viewed as an ongoing process rather than a one-time event. Educational institutions should regularly evaluate the effectiveness of their professional development programs, gather feedback from participants, and make adjustments as needed to ensure continuous improvement and relevance.
By adhering to these principles and expanding upon this standard, educational organizations can establish robust and effective professional learning programs that contribute to the growth and success of both educators and students.