High-Quality Professional Development

States interested in developing strategies to increase the adoption of high-quality instructional materials should increase the number of teachers statewide who participate in high-quality professional development (HQPD)that is grounded in the skillful use of high-quality instructional materials.

• The Importance of Instructionally Focused Professional Learning: This brief provides a research-based summary of what is known about high-quality professional learning that helps educators better plan and carry out instruction, resulting in student success. It also discusses how states can align teacher learning across the continuum from educator preparation through in-service support and explores various metrics for understanding and monitoring professional learning, including access, implementation, quality and efficacy.
  
  
• Guidance for States on Supporting District Use of High-Quality Professional Learning Providers: CCSSO’s Guidance for States on Supporting District Use of High-Quality Professional Learning Providers was developed to provide states with information, tools, samples, and templates to streamline the process of supporting districts in selecting and using high-quality (HQ) professional learning (PL) providers. In this context, “high-quality” PL providers are organizations that support districts with professional learning that is, at minimum, content-specific, and often that is specific to the curriculum the district is implementing.
  
  
• Rhode Island’s Educator Support Network: The Rhode Island Educator Support Network is a resource that aims to provide high quality professional learning opportunities to educators that center the whole child and is anchored in research and best professional practices. It includes many vendors that offer curriculum connected professional development.
  
  
• Delaware’s Professional Learning Partner Guide: The Delaware Professional Learning Partner Guide is a list of partner organizations that have exhibited expertise around professional learning and coaching—especially professional learning connected to curriculum. Their supports extend to encompass multiple stakeholders including classroom teachers, school leaders, and district leaders in their efforts to provide high quality instruction to students.
  
  
• Professional Learning Partner Guide: Rivet Education’s Professional Learning Partner Guide (PLPG) is a curated list of national and local professional learning providers that have the expertise to support the adoption and implementation of high-quality instructional materials (HQIM). The PLPG serves as an important resource for school, district, and state leaders who are eager to invest in support that is most likely to improve teaching and learning across their system. Each organization featured in the guide has undergone a thorough review process by a trained team of educators from across the country. The guide includes details such as the types of services each organization provides, the HQIM they support, clients with whom they are best suited to work, and how their professional learning promotes culturally responsive instruction.  
  
  
• Instruction Partners Curriculum Support Guides: Instruction Partners developed a comprehensive set of supports designed to help districts and schools with the selection and implementation of curriculum.