6 semester credits

Effective professional development is foundational to improving a school system's ability to raise student achievement. Using adult learning theory as a foundation, educators explore models that look at adult learning strategies and skills that build strong professional development opportunities promoting new knowledge and skills that affect teacher practice and student learning. Educators learn how to use collaboration, facilitation, coaching, and mentoring that support a culture of learning that involves students, educators, parents, and community. As evaluating the impact of professional development efforts is crucial to ongoing success, leaders learn to collect and analyze data from student work and teacher practice to make informed decisions that lead to continuous improvement. Communicating and disseminating results to multiple constituents within the school system are emphasized. Educators also investigate mixed-methodology research approaches appropriate to planning and resource management.