Connecting High Quality Professional Development and Educator Evaluation

Lessons from Massachusetts Districts: Presentation at 2014 Educator Evaluation Convening

FAQs: Elaborating on the Work Done in Chelmsford Public Schools and Southeastern Regional Vocational School District

Answers to the FAQs were based on interviews with the district professional development leaders from Chelmsford Public Schools and Southeastern Regional Vocational School District.

How do you use the Massachusetts Standards for Professional Development in your district?

How do you connect educator evaluation with professional development in your district?

What factors enable your school's success in making these connections?

How is your Professional Development Committee structured and what does it do?

In Chelmsford Public Schools:

• The co-leaders of the Professional Development Committee include the district academic officer charged with coordinating professional development and a teacher selected by other teachers.
• The committee meets regularly and more frequently when professional development proposals are reviewed.
• The committee members are not paid stipends but do receive PDPs.

In Southeastern Regional Vocational School District:

• The Professional Development Committee is comprised of 10 members, including academic leaders and vocational teachers.
• The committee is voluntary.
• The committee meets four to five times per year for 60- to 90-minute sessions after school.
• The committee helps district leaders coordinate, schedule, share ideas, discuss professional development quality, and so on.
• The professional development liaison collaboratively sets the agenda of each meeting with input from teachers and district administrators.

Which data system(s) do you use to manage professional development data?

How much dedicated time do teachers have to engage in high-quality professional development?

What funding streams support professional development in your district?

Last Updated: June 5, 2020