Philadelphia Federation of Teachers School District of Philadelphia

APPeNDiX c
Professional Development Standards
The parties are committed to effect improvements in the content and delivery
mechanisms of professional development. In addition, the parties are committed
to encourage employees’ appreciation of the relevance and importance of professional
development. With these objectives in mind, the parties agree that professional
development within the School District must be based upon the following
design principles/standards:
1. All professional development will be designed to meet the School District’s
strategic goals, content/performance standards, and assessed teacher/staff
needs and/or to improve assessed student performance.
2. Professional development within the School District must be a continuous
and ongoing process that promotes sustained interaction among teachers and
other instructional and instructional support personnel to address issues of
local common concern and the School District as a whole.
3. Professional development programs and activities for school-based employees
will focus on improving teaching practice and school climate issues, and to
the greatest extent possible, shall be linked to reflecting upon and improving
daily practice.
4. Professional development programs for teachers shall be based on the recognition
of education as a dynamic, professional field characterized by new
developments and knowledge about the teaching and learning process and,
to the greatest extent possible, shall emphasize growth and development in
addition to remediation.
5. Professional development shall be implemented as part of a comprehensive
program to improve student achievement. Thus, at the school level, for example,
professional development programs should reflect school improvement
planning.
6. Professional development programs shall draw on the resources and expertise
of employees within schools. Programs shall also promote the School District’s
partnering with the Federation, and institutions of higher education as service
providers.
7. Professional development shall emphasize the following key content areas:
(a) Enhancing content knowledge and delivery;
(b) Implementing content/performance standards;
(c) Developing lessons, units and courses of study or curriculum development;
(d) Pedagogy and instructional strategies, including accommodating different
learning styles;
(e) Assessment;
(f) Classroom management and conflict resolution;
(g) Student discipline and behavior management;
(h) Integrating learning technologies;
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