Successful staff development focuses first on an analysis of student achievement followed by planned training sessions designed to make marked improvements in student performance. Research found that five key practices were evident in all successful professional development opportunities.
Student achievement is at the center of each professional development plan.
Community support and parental involvement were encouraged. Individual schools had a significant voice in setting their staff development plans. Schools drew on outside experts, but also worked to develop internal experts to act as ready, available resources. Partnerships with local universities or local corporations were important. A significant amount of professional development has been planned and implemented at most of Kenosha Unified's school sites.