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The Impact Factor

Why we can't neglect professional learning evaluation

By Learning Forward
October 2013
Demonstrating the impact of professional learning has never been more important. Educators are implementing rigorous content standards and assessments and experiencing new evaluation systems, even as they navigate a sea of other challenges and resources for professional learning are on the chopping block. For educators to be successful in ensuring that students are college- and career-ready, the support school systems provide must include high-quality professional learning. But without indications that professional learning has an impact, why would school systems continue to invest in it? And how can educators stay committed to lifelong learning that requires their own investment of time and energy if they don’t see an impact on what they do each day? Agreement among decision makers and advocates about professional learning’s purpose and

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Authors

Stephanie Hirsh

Stephanie Hirsh ([email protected]) is executive director of Learning Forward.

Relationship Between Professional Learning and Student Results

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Resources to Guide Evaluation

For more specific guidance, educators can turn to Standards Into Practice: School System Roles (Learning Forward, 2013) and Standards Into Practice: School-Based Roles (Learning Forward, 2012). These books contain Innovation Configuration (IC) maps for teachers, coaches, principals, and district administrators for the Data, Implementation, and Outcomes standards. A sample IC map from the Data standard for three of these roles is available online at www.lf.wphlab.com/publications/jsd. The books are available in the Learning Forward Bookstore, https://store.lf.wphlab.com.

References

Learning Forward. (2011). Standards for Professional Learning. Oxford, OH: Author.


Learning Forward is the only professional association devoted exclusively to those who work in educator professional development. We help our members plan, implement, and measure high-quality professional learning so they can achieve success with their systems, schools, and students.


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