Creating a Foundation to Redevelop the Professional Learning System

Mid-continent Research for Education and Learning (McREL) in collaboration with the Florida Department of Education is pleased to offer the first of eight learning sessions for the Preparing Districts to Evaluate Professional Development program. This session sets the groundwork for the remainder of the series.

Professional development is a pillar of school improvement. Engaging educators in meaningful and research-based professional learning opportunities can improve student outcomes; however, any professional learning practice should address an identified need, be implemented with fidelity to its design principles, and be evaluated for its impact on instruction and student learning. Further, districts must assess the rate at which new initiatives are moving toward fidelity of implementation at multiple levels (e.g., district, state). Determining faculty and administrator professional learning needs that will support systemic improvement efforts is paramount. Selecting effective professional learning practices, implementing them with fidelity and quality, and knowing how to determine the impact both on teacher practice and student learning require a solid foundation.

Module1: Creating the Foundation to Redevelop the Professional Learning System will engage participants in meaningful discussions about the state of professional development in Florida and within individual districts. Read the agenda for Module 1.

As a result of participating in this overview session, you will

• Know statewide results from the most recent protocol evaluations
• Identify areas of strengths and challenges within the district using protocol and other data
• Be familiar with the remaining modules
• Connect the remaining modules to identified needs

Logistic Information

The eight sessions that comprise the Preparing Districts to Evaluate Professional Development program will be offered in 12 locations across the state of Florida. Session dates will differ for each location.  A separate invitation will be sent for the subsequent sessions. Please know that you do not have to attend at the same location for each session.

Registration Steps

1. Register for Learning Session One at the location most appropriate for you. You must complete all portions of the registration. Please note: You are unable to register multiple attendees at one time.

2. Look for a confirmation email to indicate successful completion of the registration process. If you do not receive a confirmation email, please contact Wanda Garcia at 303.632.5603.

We look forward to meeting you and working with you during the 2012–2013 academic year!

Contact Information:

Monette McIver, Principal Consultant and Project Manager, McREL

mmciver@mcrel.org

303.632.5637