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Standards for Professional Learning (Learning Forward, 2011) is the third iteration of standards outlining the characteristics of professional learning that lead to effective teaching practices, supportive leadership, and improved student results. Learning Forward, with the contribution of 40 professional associations and education organizations, developed the Standards for Professional Learning. (See the Standards Revision Task Force and the Standards Advisory Team.) The standards make explicit that the purpose of professional learning is for educators to develop the knowledge, skills, practices, and dispositions they need to help students perform at higher levels. The standards are not a prescription for how education leaders and public officials should address all the challenges related to improving the performance of educators and their students. Instead, the standards focus on one critical issue — professional learning.

Unfortunately, you have to pay $20.00 for a copy of the standards. But there is a way to learn about key elements.

Below are what educators would be expected to do if the standards were adopted and implemented. The links will take you to web page descriptions for each of the seven standards and an introduction to the document.

1. Learning Communities: A) Engage in Continuous Improvement. B) Develop Collective Responsibility. C) Create Alignment and Accountability.  Go here.
2. Leadership: A) Develop Capacity for Learning and Leading. B) Advocate for Professional Learning. C) Create Support Systems and Structures.   Go here.
3. Resources: A) Prioritize Human, Fiscal, Material, Technology, and Time Resources. B) Monitor Resources. C) Coordinate Resources.  Go here.
4. Data: A) Analyze Student, Educator, and System Data. B) Assess Progress. C) Evaluate Professional Learning.  Go here.
5. Learning Designs: A) Apply Learning Theories, Research, and Models. B) Select Learning Designs. C) Promote Active Engagement.  Go here.
6. Implementation: A) Apply Change Research. B) Sustain Implementation. C) Provide Constructive Feedback.  Go here.
7. Outcomes: A) Meet Performance Standards. B) Address Learning Outcomes. C) Build Coherence – Go here.

For a brief Introduction to the Standards work, including a video, Go here.