Their choices of professional development must align with the district's goals. Their choices must also support their need for deeper knowledge of how students learn, up to date content knowledge and research-based instruction. To positively impact student learning, educators must have deep knowledge and advanced skills. Educators carefully analyze data about both teaching practices and student learning to make choices about professional development. The data they use are from multiple sources such as analysis of student work, performance assessment, attendance records and standardized test scores.
Educators also evaluate their professional development by analyzing data.
They look for evidence that their own learning has positive impact on how they do their job. They look for evidence that how they do their job improves student learning. Educators learn through study, reflection and collegial conversation. Educators gather new information through conferences, workshops, professional reading, university classes, etc. They deepen their understanding of the new information by studying, 'talking to learn', applying it to their practice, reflecting on their own and with others to move beyond awareness to application and to knowledge.