Delaware Sets a Higher Bar for Professional Development
The Secretary of Education recently proposed regulatory changes, to be approved at the May 19 State Board of Education meeting, that would create new standards for professional development statewide– fulfilling one of our Race to the Top commitments.
The standards, which are based on the National Staff Development Council’s Standards for Staff Development, incorporate many best practices utilized by highly effective teachers, including:
- creating a safe and engaging learning environment while holding all students to high expectations;
- using data to drive instructional practices; and
- involving families within the school and classroom community.
These standards would provide common expectations by which districts and/or schools could base professional development decisions for teachers – which will be increasingly important as teachers receive feedback on their classroom effectiveness through DPAS II.
If passed, all professional development opportunities (including those currently offered) provided to educators will have to pass initial certification by the state. After implementation, they must demonstrate impact on participant and student outcomes in order to receive ongoing certification.
Related Topics: DDOE, DPAS II, Teacher Effectiveness