Staff Development Planner Resource Guide

Conceptual Framework for Planning Staff Development

There are many types of staff develop and each has a specific purpose.  It is important to be clear about the expected outcomes from any staff development activity that is employed.  This conceptual framework describes three broad categories of staff development.

• Experience: the most basic structure with the lowest level of expectation.
• Training: includes an expectation of change in practice.
• Professional Growth: is the most complex type of staff development with an expectation to change practice AND impact student learning.

All three are viable options depending on the intended outcomes.  However the emphasis should be on Professional Growth because the ultimate outcome of schools is student learning.

It is important to acknowledge that Professional Growth may begin with an Experience and often involves various levels of Training, so therefore can cross all types of staff development.  These elements become components of Professional Growth when properly scaffolded with the ongoing, embedded staff development structures.  Careful planning and explicit expectations are required to ensure Professional Growth occurs.

• As school leaders review their staff development plans,  use the framework to determine if there is an appropriate balance of the types of staff development to meet the goals.
• Share the framework with teachers and help everyone understand the differences/benefits of each type of staff development.