classroom with raised handsEffective Professional Development Means Better Results in the Classroom
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To view the full NSDC report, "Professional Learning in the Learning Profession"

 
The Latest Research Shows You What You Need...
cover from NSDC report 
The National Staff Development Council, in February 2009, released a summary of research on professional development titled, "Professional Learning in the Learning Profession:  A Status Report on Teacher Development in the U.S. and Abroad"
This report reveals the most important criteria for effective, long-lasting professional development.  It states:
 
"...student achievement improved most when teachers were engaged in sustained, collaborative professional development that specifically focused on deepening teachers' content knowledge and instructional practices."
 
"...if professional development is to take root in teachers' practice, on-going and specific follow-up is necessary to help teachers incorporate new knowledge and skills into classroom practice both in the short and long term."

According to the NSDC, effective professional development should include:
  1. concrete tasks of teaching, assessment, observation and reflection, rather than abstract discussions of teaching;

  2. collaborative training that deepens teachers' content knowledge and instructional practices;

  3. opportunities for active learning or "sense-making" activities, including modeling, practice, and reflection on newly-learned strategies; and

  4. sustained and intense instruction to have a greater chance of transforming teaching practices and student learning.

At The Write Tools, we put these theories into practice.

  1. TWT offers interactive, hands-on workshops where teachers practice strategies, learn differentiation techniques and analyze student samples.

  2. TWT provides eight advanced training options after completion of basic training.  The common language and common strategies build with each workshop.

  3. TWT allows participants multiple opportunities to practice and discuss their understanding of the strategies.  TWT instructors model strategies and offer adaptations for all types of learners.

  4. TWT wants to create a sustainable, scaffolding professional development plan with your district.   We offer on-site support to bridge the gap between understanding the strategies which are taught in our workshop, and implementing those strategies for success in the classroom. 

We get results!  Call us, and let us build a personalized plan for your district!

 303-221-5301