Defining High Quality Professional Development
Often, the Kentucky Department of Education will receive a phone call from an individual professional development provider inquiring about the process to “approve” professional development services for the state. As an agency, KDE does not “approve” professional development for school staff; that responsibility falls to individual school districts. The question remains, “What tool(s) can a school district use in determining whether or not to grant professional development credit?”
As districts, the first aspect is asking whether or not the professional development experience is of high quality. In 704 KAR 3:035(1)(1), high quality professional development is defined as “those experiences that systematically, over a sustained period of time, enable educators to facilitate the learning of students by acquiring and applying knowledge, understanding, skills, and abilities that address the instructional improvement goals of the school district, the individual school, or the individual professional growth needs of the educator.” As a district, determine if an experience (training) fits the definition of high quality and therefore, can be given as professional development credit.
After determination that the experience meets the definition of high quality professional development, the district should decide whether the delivery and content meets professional development standards. Kentucky has a set of Standards for High Quality Professional Development that provides those charged with approving professional development, the opportunity to determine if the experience is something that will assist teachers in their efforts to improve student achievement. Remember, it is best practice for teacher and administrator professional development be addressed either in the school or district improvement plan or in individual growth plan.
If you have any questions about the definition or standards for high quality professional development please contact David Cook or Orin Simmerman.
KASFAA Workshop
The Kentucky Association of Student Financial Aid Administration (KASFAA) is sponsoring the 2007 Effective Instructional Leadership Training Program entitled “Avenues to Achievement.” The free one-day workshop provides updates on college financial aid programs, the latest information from ACT and details on other important services for our Kentucky students.
This workshop is suitable for middle and secondary school counselors, superintendents, principals and vocational educators. Specific workshop information, including agenda and online registration can be found on the KASFAA Web site.
ISN Annual Meeting
The Annual Instructional Support Network Meeting is scheduled for November 29-30 at the Galt House Hotel in Louisville. The annual required training for professional development coordinators will be included in the meeting. The meeting centers on building high-quality instruction for all students with an emphasis on refocusing secondary education on student success. Meeting topics include Professional Learning Communities and Professional Development’s Impact on Student Learning; Balanced Assessments and RTI; and using data analysis with the changes in the assessment system. Presenters include many statewide district personnel along with a keynote address from KDE Deputy Commissioner Elaine Farris.
To register for the conference, please send an email to Judy Littleton with the names of those attending, noting those that need to attend the professional development coordinators update meeting.
New York Times Regional Meetings
The New York Times, in collaboration with the Wallace Foundation, Kentucky Chamber of Commerce and the Kentucky Association of School Administrators, is hosting Linking Leadership to Learning Regional Meetings across the state during November and December. The meetings center around the questions: How well are principals being prepared and supported at a time when high quality education leadership is so important? For more information, contact Jane Livingston at KASA. Meeting dates and location are listed below. All meetings begin at 6:00 p.m.
Nov 12: Grayson Conference Center, Grayson
Nov. 13: Simon Kenton HS, Independence
Nov. 15: Four Points Sheraton, Lexington
Nov. 20: Bellarmine University, Louisville
Nov. 26: Graves Co. Performing Arts Center, Mayfield
Nov. 27: Holiday Inn University Plaza, Bowling Green
Nov. 29: Jenny Wiley State Resort Park. Prestonsburg
Dec. 12: Center for Rural Development, Somerset
Quotable Quotes
“When you set goals, something inside of you starts saying, ‘Let’s go, let’s go,’ and ceilings start to move up.”
Zig Ziglar, author