Maryland Teacher Professional Development Standards with Related Grant Activities

Standard 1: Effective professional development relies on rigorous analysis of disaggregated student data to focus on adult learning priorities, teacher practice and student learning and to sustain continuous improvement.

·1 Selective application procedures will be implemented for all participating teachers based on school data such as Title 1, FARMS, unsatisfactory student attendance, low minority achievement in the areas of reading or math, failure to make AYP.

Standard 2: Rigorous, multifaceted evaluations assess the quality of professional development and the attainment of intended outcomes and are used to inform planning.

·1 An independent grant evaluator will participate in the professional development process.

·2 The grant evaluator will gather data on participants; mastery of and application of new skills.

·3 Results of evaluation will be provided to teachers, school leaders, central office staff, MSDE, policy makers and parents.

·4 All participating teachers will complete an evaluation sheet on each professional development activity.

Standard 3: The design of effective professional development applies knowledge about adult learning theory and effective practices to all teacher learning experiences.

·1 Teachers will choose 15 hours of professional development at times and locations that suit their needs. Teachers will participate in a beginning survey so that the activities can be designed to meet their needs.

·2 Teachers will be able to collaborate with others in the project through the project web site. They will also be provided with demonstrations of effective use of handheld computers.

·3 Teachers will be provided with feedback on their practice of using the handheld computers.

·4 Teachers will be assigned a mentor who is a teacher who successfully, completed the project.

Standard 4: Effective Professional development (1) deepens all teachers’ content knowledge and understanding of Maryland content standards, (2) ensures that all teachers understand and can apply research-based instructional strategies to assist student in mastering Maryland contend standards, and (3) ensures that all teachers understand and can use various types of classroom assessments to accurately measure student mastery as well as gaps in mastery.

·1 Professional development activities focus on integrating the handheld computer into reading and math instruction to help students gain mastery of the Maryland content standards.

·2 Teachers will have multiple opportunities to practice using handheld computers to collect data and inform instruction.

·3 Teachers will have multiple opportunities to practice integrating handheld computers into their instruction.

Standard 5: Effective professional development ensures that all teachers have the knowledge, skills, and dispositions to apply research to decision making.

·1 Teachers will be provided with research to support the use of handheld computers in instruction.

·2 Teachers will have access to the grant evaluator through the action research process.

·3 Teachers will have access to links to research about handheld technology through the project web site.

Standard 6: Effective professional development ensures that all teachers are able to collaborate with colleagues and others in the interest of improving instruction and eliminating student learning gaps.

·1 Teachers will have the opportunity for peer collaboration through a project web site.

Standard 7: Effective professional development ensures that all teachers (1) understand and are able to meet the learning needs of all students, (2) expect that all students will master Maryland’s content standards and score will on approved national, state, and local assessments, and (3) are able to create safe, orderly, and supportive learning environments to facilitate learning by all students.

·1 Teachers will be provided with professional development concerning management issues associated with using handheld computers.

·2 Teachers will be provided with professional development on differentiating instruction based on data collected on the handheld computer to set high expectations for all students.

Standard 8: Effective professional development ensures that all teachers have the knowledge and skills necessary to involve families and other stakeholders as active members of the school community.

·1 Teachers will be provided with professional development regarding using the handheld computers with their students and as a communication tool for parents.