NSDC’s Standards for Staff Development

(Revised, 2001)

Context Standards

Staff development that improves the learning of all students:

Learning Communities- Organizes adults into learning communities whose goals are aligned with those of the school and district.

Leadership- Requires skillful school and district leaders who guide continuous instructional improvement.

Resources- Requires resources to support adult learning and collaboration.

Process Standards

Staff development that improves the learning of all students:

Data-Driven- Uses disaggregated student data to determine adult learning priorities, monitor progress, and help sustain continuous improvement.

Evaluation- Uses multiple sources of information to guide improvement and demonstrate its impact.

Research-Based- Prepares educators to apply research to decision making.

Design- Uses learning strategies appropriate to the intended goal.

Learning- Applies knowledge about human learning and change.

Collaboration- Provides educators with the knowledge and skills to collaborate.

Content Standards

Staff development that improves the learning of all students.

Equity- Prepares educators to understand and appreciate all students, create safe, orderly and supportive learning environments, and hold high expectations for their academic achievement.

Quality Teaching- Deepens educators’ content knowledge, provides them with research-based instructional strategies to assist students in meeting rigorous academic standards, and prepares them to use various types of classroom assessments appropriately.

Family Involvement- Provides educators with knowledge and skills to involve families and other stakeholders appropriately.