Welcome to the
Professional Development Webpage.

Professional development in USD #232 is a top priority.  Please use the buttons on the left to answer many of the questions you may have about the professional development program. Many staff members find the FAQs page especially helpful.

Click here to download the current PDC Handbook.

Research shows that teacher effectiveness is the single most important school-based factor in student success.  Students who have highly effective teachers for three years in  a row will score 50 percentile points higher on achievement  tests than students who have less effective teachers. A research synthesis breaks down teacher effectiveness into five points:

• Effective teachers have high expectations for all students.
• Effective teachers contribute to positive academic, attitudinal, and social outcomes for students such as regular attendance, self-efficacy, and cooperative behavior.
• Effective teachers use diverse resources to plan and structu re engaging learning opportunities.
• Effective teachers contribute to the development of classrooms and schools that value diversity and civic mindedness.
• Effective teachers collaborate with other teachers, administrators, parents, and education professionals to ensure students' success.

-Laura Varlas in ASCD's InfoBrief, September, 2009