Some states and districts have been fortunate enough to receive increased time allocations for professional development. Yet, they rarely receive more funding to support staff development opportunities. Once a decision has been made to provide the time, districts and schools must decide how to use the time productively and how to do so without other major costs.
Schools can consider a number of very powerful learning experiences.
Here are some examples of low-cost, powerful, engaging, and intellectually stimulating staff development options that can occur within the school day and that promote high levels of collaboration among educators. Examining Student Work Teachers usually assess student work in isolation. This collective examination of student work is replacing more traditional forms of staff development in schools and districts across the country. Examining teacher work Examining student work is a safe precursor to examining teacher work. When teachers gather with samples of their lessons, assessments of students, rubrics, or unit plans, they find it challenging and stimulating to have a group of professional colleagues serve as critical friends to review and analyze their work.