Collaborative Partnerships Inspire Quality Professional Development

Collaborative Partnerships Inspire Quality Professional Development Related Resources Eisenhower National Clearinghouse for Mathematics and Science Education, Professional Development

In Michigan and around the country, multiple organizations and partnerships of organizations are pushing in the same direction for improved professional development (PD). The Michigan Department of Education, Michigan Education Association, Michigan Association of School Administrators, and American Federation of Teachers in Michigan agree that the following criteria should be considered when designing PD:

Quality Professional Development:

• Is for the purpose of enhancing teaching and learning.
• Is consistent with building and district improvement plans and, when available, North Central Accreditation goals and district strategic plans.
• Is part of an ongoing comprehensive professional development plan that addresses the long-term professional needs of the individual as well as the long-term change of practice in the building and district.
• Is characterized by the knowledge of educational needs of students, the study of proven research, and inclusion of the best use of new technologies.
• Follows best principles of adult learning that include design by the educators and non-teaching staff for whom the professional development is intended.
• Occurs when educators and non-teaching staff collaborate and share knowledge with each other.
• Requires ongoing reflection.
• Is helpful to all school staff as they work to meet the needs of students who learn in different ways and come from diverse backgrounds.
• Is no less than one hour in length. *

A Sampling of Organizations and Partnerships Working toward Quality PD in Michigan

• The Personnel Development Collaborative is an outgrowth of Michigan’s Continuous Improvement Monitoring Process (CIMP) Self-Assessment submitted to the federal government by the Office of Special Education and Early Intervention Services. The Collaborative works to enhance personnel development in organizations and school districts in ways that are substantive and sustained and designed to increase the capacity of families and schools to meet the learning needs of children with disabilities and their families. For more information, contact: Fran Loose, Consultant, Michigan Department of Education, Office of Special Education and Early Intervention Services, (517)241-4414, loosef@michigan.gov.
• The Michigan Staff Development Council (MSDC) is an affiliate of the National Staff Development Council and advocates for quality research-based professional development policies and practices to increase the capacity of those who work to improve student learning. For more information, contact: Pat Poggi, President, MSDC, 4444 N. Irish Rd., Davison, MI 48423, (810) 591 4439, tvalenti@geneseeisd.org.
• The Michigan Collaborative for Advancing Quality Professional Development is a MSDC consortium of Michigan professional organizations working collaboratively and systematically to develop a more comprehensive statewide framework for promoting staff development that fosters professional learning. For more information, contact: Amy Colton, 5041 Red Fox Run, Ann Arbor, MI 48105, (734) 483-4271, fax 483-1123, abc40@aol.com.

* Source: Michigan Department of Education