It is that time of year again...

No, I am not referring to tax-filing deadlines, although I am thinking about 'doing the numbers'.

This time of year, each one of us at the Professional Development Support unit is expected to collect data on the training that we wrote and delivered during this school year. We will collect test scores and completion percentages; we will then write the data on an evaluation table and take it to our next meeting, where we will learn how to best analyze results. And, just like the tax expert, we have to look at our numbers in order to optimize results. We look at the return on our professional development investment to keep those things that are working and change those that are not.

So? What does this have to do with follow-up? Well, research shows we have to support implementation of new knowledge & skills after training. In other words, is the new learning being applied in the classroom and/or the workplace? How do we know whether it has been implemented correctly? What can we do to support the person who is testing out these new skills in the classroom?

Putting in place mechanisms to support our implementation goals as we go along is almost like requesting the IRS to withhold the right amount from your paycheck. The amount is withheld monthly and you know that, since you are 'paying-as-you-go', chances are you will not owe anything when filing time comes.

Tax time is here, and so is the time to plan your professional development for the next school year. The PDS team at HRD is ready to help you plan professional development for your school as soon as you 'do your numbers'.

Ours is 754-321-5028; we look forward to hearing from you after FCATs.