Professional Learning
Professional learning is described as training designed to enhance the professional knowledge, skills and behaviors of school and district staff so that they will, in turn, improve the student learning environment.
Professional learning delivers rigorous, research-based, field-tested learning experiences, programs, and resources for teachers, administrators, and support personnel to increase student achievement and their learning environment. Professional learning is a set of on-going related resources and activities directed toward professional growth. Planned coherent actions and support systems are designed and implemented to develop the educator’s knowledge, skills, and behaviors to improve student achievement.
Professional learning provided by Sarasota County Schools is in alignment with Florida’s New Professional Learning Standards. Current employees may visit their MySCS Portal and click the “Professional Development” tile to see current course offerings and view a personalized Professional Learning Transcript.
How Do I Know If It's Professional Learning?
Think about the intention of the learning opportunity. If the intention is to upskill and has a set agenda, check for understanding, an opportunity to implement and improve, and positively impact student outcomes, it is most likely professional learning.
Here are some guiding questions to clarify your understanding:
Is the primary purpose of the training to further participant knowledge, skills, and behaviors?
If so, it is professional development.
Is the primary purpose of the training/activity to address student understanding/needs/achievement through research-based skills and techniques (i.e. vocabulary instruction, understanding how to implement interventions, etc.)?
If so, it is professional development.
Is it a meeting, brainstorming session, or sharing of materials (i.e. writing curriculum, lesson plans, etc.)?
If so, it is not professional learning. Only formal training is professional learning.
Is it a passive opportunity where there is no learner feedback, interaction, or formalized proof of learning within the opportunity (i.e. webinars, recordings, etc.)?
If so, it is not professional learning. Tangible skills and behaviors which can translate into student achievement qualify as professional learning.
Examples and Non-Examples of Professional Learning for Recertification
Professional Learning | Not Professional Learning |
Facilitator Training for Professional Learning Community Workshop | Teachers meeting in PLC |
Collaborative planning/SLC/PLC training that identifies new approaches, studies effectiveness of new practices, or develops new knowledge and skills. | Collaborative planning/SLC/PLC meetings that focus on logistics of planning for instruction and discussing student needs. |
Research-based instructional strategies (e.g. Cooperative Learning, Differentiated Instruction, Classroom Instruction That Works, Classroom Management, etc.) | Low level content classes (e.g. basic grammar class) |
District/state-sponsored or approved online courses including coursework which leads to state-approved industry certifications. | Online self-paced tutorials which are not on the Approved Provider List |
Facilitator-led training with activities, involvement, tangible instructional strategies, and feedback from the facilitator/instructor. | Staff meetings/orientations (e.g. faculty or council meetings, PRIDE, new employee or substitute teacher orientation) |
Facilitated pre-approved study group with follow-up and evaluation after implementation in classroom. | Independent reading/study; travel; classroom visits; or program design |
Courses taken in response to a performance improvement plan | Courses taken as a result of discipline requirement |
Training in curriculum mapping/writing | Curriculum mapping/writing |
Training in lesson/unit planning and development | Lesson/unit planning and development |
Training in assessment, creating tests | Assessing student data, creating tests |
Note: This is not an exhaustive list
*A certificate of completion which must include sponsoring organization, course/workshop title, number of hours earned, date earned, signature of instructor or designee, and your name
**The college or university must be accredited, and you must receive a grade of “C” or higher
Credit for hours completed with an agency not on the approved list (LINK) will not be granted points for recertification.