Factsheet: Professional learning and development
The Ministry of Education is making significant changes to the professional development provided to schools.
Centrally-funded professional development is being redesigned. This is aimed at improving coordination across the country of consistent and high quality training closely aligned with current goals of lifting student achievement.
The emphasis will be on providing professional development based on the evidence of what works best for accelerating student progress.
The Ministry is prioritising support next year to strengthen school leadership, effective teaching and assessment.
Research indicates that professional development is a key lever for improving outcomes for student. Even better results can be achieved if it is better coordinated and more widespread.
The redesign of professional development is a component of the new approach to Student Achievement which will see expert advisors working in the regions. The advisors will work closely with schools and ERO to allocate professional development and monitor its success.
All professional development contracts are being opened up to tender over the next 18 months, including those provided by School Support Services.
The first new contestable contracts will be advertised shortly and will take effect from January next year. The full redesign approach to professional development will be in place by 2012.