What is one of the most impactful things we can do to improve education for all students? Ensure our educators are knowledgeable and adept at their jobs by providing relevant, impactful professional development.
States are realizing that the traditional one-day workshop model can be dramatically strengthened by implementing comprehensive professional development that fosters a culture of learning. And the federal government, through the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), is giving states much greater flexibility to create effective training platforms in schools that promote a personalized, differentiated, targeted, and on-going approach designed to increase teacher capacity through systematic supports.
ESSA guidelines also include expanded opportunities for states and LEAs to include social and emotional learning (SEL) in their professional development strategies. This is great news, because we know that teachers who understand and possess strong social and emotional skills are better, healthier, and happier, and are therefore more effective in the classroom.
The table below lists six funding programs within ESSA that support SEL professional development activities. (When available, funding levels for FY 2016 have been provided.) Review this list and start improving your professional development framework today!
*Reference: ASCD’s Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA): ESSA Implementation Resources for Educators
*Reference: Helping educators develop strong social and emotional skills is paramount to improving education for all students. ESSA recognizes the importance of effective professional development and gives states greater flexibility in creating personalized, differentiated, targeted, and on-going professional learning programs. Schools that incorporate SEL into their professional development strategies create more effective educators that are better equipped to meet the needs of today’s students.
Aperture Education provides effective, evidence-based SEL professional development. From sessions on how to align district/program goals to SEL to building adult social and emotional competence, our training builds educators’ capacity to teach more effectively. Contact our experts to learn more about our on-site and distance sessions.