A Roadmap for Professional Development Planning

Astrid Liden, Minnesota Department of Education

Kirsten Fuglseth, Northwest Service Cooperative

Session Objectives:Reflect on your current process for PD planningFollow a data-driven process for PD planningUse templates provided to develop PD plans Identify features of effective PD and choose PD

opportunities based on identified needsReview completed PD plans and provide

constructive feedback for improvement

What is your current approach?What is your current approach to

professional development (PD) planning for your consortium?

How is this working for you? What do you see as the benefits and drawbacks of your current process?

Cafeteria approach“We always go to that conference.”

“That sounds like a fun workshop.”

“My friend is going to that session, so I’m going to tag along.”

“The only trainings we participate in are regionals because that’s all we can afford.”

What is data-driven PD planning? PD needs are identified and prioritized

based on data SMART objectives are developed based on

those needs PD activities align with identified needs &

objectives

Why is it important?Improved understanding of staff and learners’

needs and characteristicsMeaningful decisions about training offeringsAlignment of perceived needs with expected

outcomesSelection of effective activities & materials to

support training goalsEffective use of limited resourcesImpact of professional development is

maximized

PD planning process1. Assemble PD planning team2. Collect & analyze data to identify PD needs3. Identify and prioritize PD needs using a variety

of data4. Develop PD objectives5. Identify and/or develop PD activities to meet

objectives6. Carry out/participate in PD activities7. Reflect on & maximize impact of PD activities8. Evaluate whether objectives have been met

Assemble the PD planning teamInclude a mix of roles & perspectivesLeadership support and involvement

Establish a sustainable process for PD planningWho is/will be part of your PD planning

team?When do/will you meet? What is/will be your

planning cycle?What resources do/will you need?

Collect & analyze data to identify PD needsLook at the PD planning template & discuss

with a small group:What data do you currently use to inform PD

planning?What data could you use in the future?What other data would you include on this

list?

Identify & prioritize PD needsWhich needs are supported by the

greatest amount and diversity of data?Which needs reflect local and state

priorities & initiatives that need to take precedence?

Which needs are possible to address in the upcoming program year?

Which needs can be met with available personnel, resources, and technology capabilities?

Developing PD objectivesSMART objectives are:Specific – What? Why? How?Measurable – How will I measure progress

& know when I’ve achieved my goal?Action-oriented – Can I take actions to

accomplish this objective?Realistic – Is this challenging but still

possible to achieve? Time-bound – What is my timeframe for

this goal?

SMART objectiveExample:

Improve reading instruction →

SMARTer objective:By June 2013, basic skills teachers will be able to administer diagnostic assessments for the 4 components of reading & use the results to identify their students’ areas of reading strength and weakness.

Develop measurable PD objectives

___________ will be able to __________ by ________.

Example: By June 2013, basic skills teachers will be able to administer diagnostic assessments for the 4 components of reading & use the results to identify their students’ areas of reading strength and weakness.

Features of effective PD

Matching PD objectives to PD activities

Traditional PD Conferences/WorkshopsHow do you make these more meaningful?

Choose sessions based on your identified needs

Focus your efforts-participate in a strand of sessions

Complete action CEU assignmentShare information with peers

Matching PD objectives to PD activities

Online courses Study Circles Professional working groups Site visits Peer observation/mentoring Program & product development

Identify or develop appropriate PD activities & resources Discuss with your partner:What PD activities would help achieve the

objective you identified?What resources (presenters, materials, etc.)

would you need to carry out this activity?

Reflect on and maximize impact of PD activities Reflective practice license renewal

requirement Activity logTeacher journalStaff meetingsProfessional learning communitiesMeeting with supervisor or colleagueAction CEU???

Action CEU’s:Put your learning into action!Get new ideas off the shelf and into your

classroomComplete the Action CEU reflection

assignment and submit it to ATLAS within 6 weeks of an ABE-sponsored professional development event focused on classroom instruction

Earn 5 CEUsFor more info: www.atlasABE.org

(under CEUs & Graduate Credit)

Evaluating PD(adapted from Guskey, 2002)

Level 5: Student learning

outcomesAssessing student learning

Level 4: Participants’ use of new knowledge and skills

Assessing degree and quality of implementation

Level 3: Organization support and change

Assessing organizational advocacy, support, accommodation, facilitation,

recognition

Level 2: Participants’ learningAssessing new knowledge and skills

Level 1: Participants’ reactionsAssessing initial satisfaction with experience

PD plan reviewAre the PD objectives SMART? Could they be

made SMARTer?Will the activities help the program achieve

the objectives? What other activities should they consider?

What are the strengths of the plan?Other suggestions for improvement?

Planning for next stepsUsing the PEP in your program booklet,

reflect on your next steps for PD planning.

Share with a partner.

Questions? Feedback?

Astrid Liden: Astrid.Liden@state.mn.us

Kirsten Fuglseth: kfuglseth@nw-service.k12.mn.us

Updated PD templates will be available at www.mnabe.org