Characteristics of Successful Schools

CHAPTER ONE
What are the characteristics of Successful Schools?

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Definition

Professional development is a continuous learning process across all levels of education for the entire learning community. Quality professional development expands the capacity of the learning community to realize its vision and reach its goals.

Rationale

Professional development ensures that school staff have the content, process, knowledge, skills, dispositions, and accountability to help all students achieve high standards. For school staff, professional development helps enhance their ability and facilitate organizational change.

Key Ideas

1. Effective professional development is linked to the school vision, strategic plan, and specific “real” concerns in the teaching and learning process.
2. The goal of professional development is to promote continuous learning across all levels of education for the entire learning community and to ensure that such learning is incorporated into the teaching and learning process.
3. Effective staff development is continuous over time, research-based, culturally relevant, and connected to personal professional practice.
4. School leaders must make adequate resources available for continuous professional development, support for change, and accountability for results.

Successful Schools Have Professional Development That:

1. focuses on individual and organizational development related to improving student achievement.
2. develops expertise in both content and process.
3. focuses on teaching and learning for all students.
4. is relevant and research-based.
5. is sustained and supported by modeling, coaching, and specific problem solving.
6. helps school staff meet the needs of a diverse student population.
7. is based on up-to-date knowledge about how people learn.
8. includes accountability measures for changing practices based on the professional development.

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For questions about this information, contact Molly A. Garner (608) 266-3983

Last updated on 4/2/2009 9:01:25 AM