Frequently students must be released early or given days off in order to accommodate them. Ongoing professional development is required if it is to result in significant change. School change is the result of both individual and organizational development. The goal of professional development is to support the inquiry into and study of teaching and learning. Teachers learn as a result of training, practice, and feedback, as well as individual reflection and group inquiry into their practice.
Professional development is essential to school development.
Professional development should be primarily school- focused and embedded in the job. Professional development programs based on these assumptions are quite different from those founded on traditional assumptions. While districtwide workshops still will be appropriate on occasion, most professional development should be school-based. Therefore, in addition to attending workshops and conferences, teachers can be involved in a variety of ongoing, job-embedded learning activities, such as study groups, action research, peer coaching, curriculum development, and case discussions. Through collegial study, dialogue, and joint problem solving, teachers form professional learning communities that have a direct impact on instructional improvement.