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Standards for Professional Learning

Standards for Professional Learning

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  • Standards
    • Rigorous Content for Each Learner
      • Standards within the Rigorous Content for Each Learner frame describe the essential content of adult learning that leads to improved student outcomes.

      • Standards

        • 〉Learning Practices
        • 〉Curriculum Assessment and Instruction
        • 〉Professional Expertise
    • Transformational Processes
      • Standards within the Transformational Processes frame describe process elements of professional learning, explaining how educators learn in ways that sustain significant changes in their knowledge, skills, practices, and mindsets.

      • Standards

        • 〉Learning Drivers
        • 〉Evidence
        • 〉Implementation
        • 〉Learning Designs
    • Conditions for Success
      • Standards within the Conditions for Success frame describe aspects of the professional learning context, structures, and cultures that undergird high-quality professional learning.

      • Standards

        • 〉Learning Foundations
        • 〉Culture of Collaborative Inquiry
        • 〉Leadership
        • 〉Resources
  • Essential Reading
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Advancing Outcomes Graphic

Advancing outcomes graphic

Hover your mouse over each standard below to see what barriers to success may arise when a standard is missing or inadequately implemented.

To improve outcomes for all learners, Standards for Professional Learning must be addressed as a cohesive system. Schools, districts, states, provinces, ministries, and external partners must consider, implement, and support multiple components of professional learning in an aligned and collaborative effort. When a standard is absent, the system becomes imbalanced and specific challenges may present themselves as a result.

This tool illuminates common educational and professional learning challenges and corresponding standards that need to be addressed to achieve improved outcomes. Follow the links to read more about how implementing each standard at a deeper level improves outcomes.

Download the full, printable tool here.

Without the Culture of Collaborative Inquiry standard, schools may see these challenges:

  • Pockets of excellence in teaching and learning
  • Students falling through the cracks
  • Ineffective use of collaborative learning time

Included standard leads to these improved outcomes...

  • Shared culture of excellence
  • Collective responsibility for all learners
  • Culture of continuous improvement

Learn more about the Culture of Collaborative Inquiry standard here.

Without the Curriculum, Assessment, and Instruction standard, schools may see these challenges:

  • Lack of instructional rigor and relevance in learning
  • Student learning data doesn't inform instruction
  • Misaligned or ineffective instructional practices

Included standard leads to these improved outcomes...

  • Students learn at grade level and beyond
  • Instruction is informed by student data

Learn more about the Curriculum, Assessment & Instruction standard here.

Without the Learning Practices standard, schools may see these challenges:

  • Low expectations
  • Lack of relevant instruction for each student
  • Disengaged or disconnected students and families

Included standard leads to these improved outcomes...

  • Students know they are respected and valued
  • Students and families are included and engaged

Learn more about the Learning Practices standard here.

Without the Learning Drivers standard, schools may see these challenges:

  • Inconsistent access to professional learning
  • Disengaged or disconnected educators
  • Limited perspectives in discussions

Included standard leads to these improved outcomes...

  • Each learner is appropriately supported
  • Multiple and varied perspectives are recognized and honored
  • High-quality learning opportunities for all

Learn more about the Learning Drivers standards here.

Without the Learning Foundations standard, schools may see these challenges:

  • Limited access and opportunity for learning
  • Low or inconsistent expectations
  • Distrust and division among staff

Included standard leads to these improved outcomes...

  • High expectations for each learner
  • Shared commitment to successful outcomes for each learner

Learn more about the Learning Foundations standard here.

Without the Evidence standard, schools may see these challenges:

  • Uninformed decision-making
  • Irrelevant professional learning
  • Professional learning without impact

Included standard leads to these improved outcomes...

  • Informed decision-making
  • Relevance and focus in professional learning
  • Professional learning has positive impact

Learn more about the Evidence standard here.

Without the Resources standard, schools may see these challenges:

  • Gaps in support and access to learning
  • Misalignment between goals and outcomes
  • No return on investment

Included standard leads to these improved outcomes...

  • Sustained support for professional learning
  • Protected time for collaborative learning
  • Awareness of impact of resources

Learn more about the Resources standard here.

Without the Learning Designs standard, schools may see these challenges:

  • Misaligned professional learning goals
  • Lack of educator engagement
  • One-size-fits-all professional learning

Included standard leads to these improved outcomes...

  • Professional learning is aligned to student and educator needs
  • Sustained growth of knowledge, skills, practices, and beliefs

Learn more about the Learning Designs standard here.

Without the Leadership standard, schools may see these challenges:

  • No shared commitment to professional learning
  • Disjointed professional learning efforts
  • Lack of understanding about why professional learning matters

Included standard leads to these improved outcomes...

  • Clear vision for professional learning
  • Aligned efforts and priorities

Learn more about the Leadership standard here.

Without the Implementation standard, schools may see these challenges:

  • Resistance to change
  • Short-term improvement
  • No sustained change

Included standard leads to these improved outcomes...

  • Educators are actively engaged in and committed to change efforts and continuous growth
  • Improvements are sustained over time

Learn more about the Implementation standard here.

Without the Professional Expertise standard, schools may see these challenges:

  • Stagnant or ineffective educator practices
  • Instructional practice not informed by student content standards or educator performance standards
  • Reduced educator proficiency, advancement, and retention

Included standard leads to these improved outcomes...

  • Students experience research-based instruction
  • Highly proficient educators at all levels
  • Educators are motivated and committed to the profession

Learn more about the Professional Expertise standard here.

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