One key question many educational leaders ask is "Was professional development effective and will it improve student achievement?" As teacher burnout and lack of new educators continue to hinder schools, PD must be efficient and impactful. We cannot waste teacher time or our limited resources. Evaluating PD is crucial for educators as it ensures that the PD received is effective, relevant, and directly applicable to improving teaching practices and student success. Effective evaluation helps educators refine their skills, adopt new pedagogies, and implement educational innovations confidently. By systematically assessing the outcomes of PD, educators can also validate the investment in their professional growth, ensuring that it yields practical benefits in classroom management and instructional quality. Implementing a systematic evaluation approach can significantly alter how educational institutions manage PD. First, it emphasizes the importance of immediate feedback, which can help in making quick adjustments to training methods and content. Secondly, it stresses evaluating the actual application of learned skills in the classroom, thus bridging the gap between theory and practice. This approach encourages a reflective practice among educators, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and adaptation in teaching methods. Furthermore, the emphasis on measuring the impact on student engagement and learning outcomes ensures that PD efforts are directly aligned with the educational goals of the institution. The session will be grounded in Guskey's five-level program evaluation model, which is well-supported by research and widely regarded as a comprehensive framework for evaluating PD. Best practices highlighted within the model include the use of diverse evaluation methods such as surveys, observation, and portfolio assessments, ensuring a holistic view of PD effectiveness. Best practices I have used over 25 years in K12 schools and now in preparing future educational leaders including individualized PD plans and educator choice.
Target audience identified by presenter: Technology Leadership;
