Rationale for Restructuring Staff Development Time for School Improvement

The Instructional Support Team of Urbana District #116 in Urbana, Illinois, developed the following rationale for restructuring staff development time:

"After study and discussion through the 1994-95 year, the Instructional Support Team (IST) is recommending that Urbana District #116 move to a new model of staff development. Previously, staff development centered around two to three days of in-service approved on the calendar by the Illinois State Board of Education. Other staff development programs were scheduled for non-contractual time or on released time. This model assumes that periodic in-service days are sufficient to introduce teachers to new ideas and to improve practice in the classroom.

However, recent research and best practice show that ongoing professional development is required if significant changes in instruction are to result. Teachers learn best when training, practice, feedback, individual reflection, and group inquiry are part of the professional development program. Massing staff development into three days in Urbana Schools #116 does not promote the systemic changes necessary as we move forward in the school improvement process. If we are to substantially change the way education is delivered in our schools--and we must if we are to increase the number of students who meet high academic requirements, we must change the way we deliver our staff development program.

In order to provide the kind of district program that will involve all staff in continuing growth in using the instructional strategies and curriculum that encourage and nurture maximum learning for children, the IST proposes that the district use banked minutes, which would provide for one released afternoon per month September-May. This plan fits the Illinois State Board of Education guidelines for school improvement. The district would be in compliance with the number of minutes of instruction required by the State of Illinois, and the staff development time would allow for the necessary training, implementation, and support a staff needs to make significant change."