Why a Systemic Approach to Standards for Professional Learning Matters (Interactive Graphic)
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.
Hover your mouse over the graphic below to see what barriers to success may arise when a standard is missing or inadequately implemented. Follow the links to read more about how implementing each standard at a deeper level improves outcomes.
Without the Culture of Collaborative Inquiry standard, schools may see these challenges:
- Pockets of individual excellence
- Lack of collective ownership
- Students falling through the cracks
Learn more about cultures of collaborative inquiry to establish collective excellence and ownership and responsibility for all learners.
Learn more about the Culture of Collaborative Inquiry standard here.
Without the Curriculum, Assessment, and Instruction standard, schools may see these challenges:
- Lack of rigor
- Misalignment of instructional practices
- Inadequate use of assessments
- Professional learning not related to curriculum implementation
Learn more about curriculum, assessment, and instruction to see curriculum-based professional learning, effective use of assessments, and students learning at grade level and beyond.
Learn more about the Curriculum, Assessment & Instruction standard here.
Without the Equity Practices standard, schools may see these challenges:
- Disengaged or unreached students and families
- Low expectations
- Educators lacking critical strategies to build relationships, scaffold content, surface assets
- Professional learning that does not address student needs
Learn more about equity practices to create a culture of belonging.
Without the Equity Drivers standard, schools may see these challenges:
- Practices that disadvantage some groups
- A single perspective that dominates
- Failure to understand the importance of supporting all learners
- A lack of reflection by those who lead professional learning about their own biases and misconceptions
Learn more about equity drivers to ensure that each learner is appropriately supported, multiple and varied perspectives are recognized and honored, and that high-quality learning opportunities are present for all.
Without the Equity Foundations standard, schools may see these challenges:
- Absence of awareness of structures to identify and correct disparities in learning and discipline
- Distrust or division among staff
- Lack of understanding of how policies impact educators and students
Learn more about equity foundations to build a culture of trust, awareness of disparities in professional learning, and a shared commitment and expectation for equity.
Without the Evidence standard, schools may see these challenges:
- Irrelevant learning goals
- Stagnant performance
- Haphazard decision-making
- Inequity from ineffective use or failure to disaggregate data
Learn more about evidence to gain more informed decision-making, growth aligned to target areas, and relevance and focus in professional learning.
Without the Resources standard, schools may see these challenges:
- Lack of support
- No shared priorities
- Unrealized goals
Professional learning that is not sustained and supported adequately over time
Learn more about resources to sustain support for professional learning, protect time for collaborative learning, and build awareness of the impact of resources.
Without the Learning Designs standard, schools may see these challenges:
- Inadequate learning
- Misaligned learning goals
- One-size-fits-all professional learning
Learn more about learning designs to establish professional learning aligned to student and educator needs; and sustained enhancements of knowledge, skills, and beliefs.
Without the Leadership standard, schools may see these challenges:
- Lack of vision
- Disjointed efforts
- Misaligned priorities and professional learning
Learn more about leadership to set a clear vision with connected efforts and aligned priorities.
Without the Implementation standard, schools may see these challenges:
- Unsustained change
- Resistance
- Lack of educator engagement
- Disconnected or short-lived programs
- No ongoing support
Learn more about implementation to see educators actively engaged in and committed to change efforts while increasing collective responsibility and sustaining improvements over time.
Without the Professional Expertise standard, schools may see these challenges:
- Outdated or ineffective instructional practices
- Stagnant instructional performance
- Unrealized educator potential
- Professional learning not grounded in content standards
Learn more about professional expertise to gain research-based instructional practices, a culture of continuous improvement, and commitment to ongoing learning.
