Quite frankly, the reason staff development is such a low priority in some schools lies at the feet of the principals. For one reason or another, they simply do not grasp the value of an ongoing staff development program. And, even sadder, some principals do not read professional books and journals and attend professional training sessions that focus on administrative and professional development programs so that they can expand their knowledge, and, in turn, conduct staff development training in their own schools. It is as though they think that the teachers know everything they need to know, and, thus, need little or no professional training. When teachers teach what they want to teach, when teachers test what they want to test, when teachers give grades according to their own grading scale, then mediocrity usually rules.
Excellence is based on clear priorities and a common commitment to excellence.
It will not happen any other way. This happens only when staff development guides the school improvement process. However advantageous staff development sounds or how much the principal favors it, money and time are needed to build an effective staff development program. The principal must arrange for the funds and schedule staff development time into the school's master calendar. Staff development costs money, and unless the school budget includes funds for convention expenses, travel, consultant fees, lodging, food, materials, visiting speakers, etc., staff development will be relegated to the back burner.