Standards+Question+3


 * Read the Case Study regarding Resources on page 13 of the NSDC Standards text handed out in class. In your PLC discuss Discussion Questions 1-4. Have a record keeper in your group synthesize your group's responses to these questions. If your group needed more information, describe what you need to know and how you would go about discovering this information.**

1. How can time be organized and used to best influence educator and student learning? Time can be organized and used to best influence educator and student learning by possibly holding the professional developments during pre-planning, post-planning, early release days or staff work days. This will allow the district maximize their professional development budget (by not paying substitues) and ensure that highly qualified teachers are with their students.

2. What arguments and data might be provided to increase the time for job-embedded educator learning? Staff development directly impacts/connects student performance. If teachers are trained on a specific strategy to improve student learning the strategy being implemented could be validated by looking at student data from pre and post assessments.

3. What is an estimate of the current expenditures for staff development? What expenses are charged to staff development? What kinds of changes might be considered in the use of financial resources to support staff development in your school or district? A estimate for the current expenditures for staff developments total more than $830,000. Expenses that are charged to staff development include stipends, travel expenses for outside consultants, and substitute costs. In addition to the expenses mentioned in the article, we feel that resources and materials would also be an expense charged to staff development. In our districts it would be benefical to reach out to community stakeholders with the hopes of establishing a non-profit foundation and allocating a higher percent of the district's operating budget toward professional development. 4. How well has staff development supported the effective implementation of technology? Staff development shows great support for technology as it is one of the two areas supported by the foundation. The community understands the direct connection between staff development and student performance.

Extension Question:

How is the NSDC Resources standard evidenced or not evidenced within your school systems? How did you come to these understandings about your school? The NSDC Resource standard is evident in our systems by professional development sessions that support teacher learning and collaboration by providing training and instructional resources. These could include software update training and subject/grade curriculum resources.