Professional Development

Learning Port

Across states, national organizations and technical assistance investments, an extensive amount of professional development material is available. This library of over 700 professional development resources provides local educators with easy access to an array of resources that can be used or customized to meet their needs.

Elementary Resources

Protocols
The word “protocol” has taken on a more specific meaning in education in recent years. In the context of educators working to improve their practice, a protocol is a structured process or set of guidelines to promote meaningful and efficient communication and learning. The National School Reform Faculty website has compiled several protocols for educator use. Protocols are most powerful and effective when used within an ongoing professional learning community such as a Critical Friends Group® and facilitated by a skilled coach.
Social Studies Taskforce Report
This report done in Maryland, but with a national perspective, acknowledges the challenges faced by social studies over the past decade, including the unintended marginalization of social studies disciplines caused by NCLB. The social studies task force made nine recommendations in its report that are “intended to reverse social studies’ decline.” Key recommendations include establishing standards governing instructional time; administering a statewide social studies assessment in elementary and middle school; increasing social.....
IDEA Partnership Collection (K-12 Special Education resource)
A Partnership Collection, a website developed by the IDEA Partnership, is the result of the collaborative work of 65 partner organization representatives, five technical assistance providers, and a number of state and local organizations and agencies representing a range of roles at all levels of the education system and geographic locations across the country. The Collection provides access to a comprehensive database of materials and resources to assist in the understanding of RTI processes and best practices for its implementation on all.....
Big Ideas in Beginning Reading
This website is designed to provide information, technology, and resources to teachers, administrators, and parents across the country. Big Ideas in Beginning Reading focuses on the five BIG IDEAS of early literacy: * Phonemic Awareness * Alphabetic Principle * Accuracy and Fluency with text * Vocabulary * Comprehension The website includes definitions and descriptions of the research and theories behind each of the big ideas, describes how to assess the big ideas, and provides information on how to teach the.....
RTI – an IRIS Center resource that includes four modules
RTI (includes Early Intervening) – an IRIS Center resource that includes four modules: An Overview, Assessment, Reading Instruction and Putting it All Together. It is recommended that you start with Part 1 and go through modules in order. You can click on the following link: http://iris.peabody.vanderbilt.edu/resources.html then click on RTI, then Modules to access each module and to see a description of each module or you can click on the links below to access each part individually. Part 1:.....
Engaging Learners the SMARTboard Way - Using the Smartboard in the Classroom
Interactive whiteboards are gaining in popularity in schools. SMART technology is one of the most popular interactive whiteboard options. This workshop explores ideas for using interactive whiteboards in the classroom, adapting existing Notebook projects, and integrating resources for each subject area.
Teaching Literacy in English to K-5 English Learners
Use this multimedia overview to learn the importance of teaching English learners to read in English while they are developing oral proficiency, and how this helps them increase vocabulary, speak in English, and learn other subject-matter content. See how the five recommended practices fit together to create a full research-based solution for schools, teachers, and students. (6:05 min)