Professional Development linked to higher test scores
Posted by Beth DuBose on Aug 04, 2008
For each six-hour teacher-training session in literacy, students gained one half point on state standardized reading tests.
With summer coming to an end, I wanted to reflect on what many educators do during this time: professional development. As state standardized testing becomes more important for AYP, one way districts are trying to improve test scores is by providing targeted professional development to staff members. I came across an article in Education Week stating that Duval County, FL performed an audit of their Literacy 101 program, and found that students in a classroom whose teacher attended the training, on average, scored 7 points higher than students in classrooms where the teacher did not receive the training. Great news!! Hopefully all teachers will be able to receive this staff development.
The article also stated that the teachers received 84 hours of training. Unless staff members are able to take this training during the summer, I do not know if a district would be able to provide that many hours during the school year for staff development. When I was teaching we had three days at the beginning and end of the school year, and a half day once a month. Yet, the statistics show that targeted staff development is highly beneficial to the students. Should districts or states be providing more opportunities for staff development? Many states provide catalogs of staff development opportunities over the summer, but are typically optional. Should districts/states require individuals to take staff development shown to be effective on their own time?