What is Professional Development (PD)?
The district offers two categories of professional development: Targeted PD and Pathway PD. Because of how the PD Committee and the PG Council (Professional Growth Council of LAB) have structured PD in terms of its content and hours, all PD counts towards needed PDPs.
Over the past 20 years, PD in APS has evolved from prescribed sessions determined by Central Administration to staff-influenced and facilitated sessions. Transitioning to in-house experts allows our facilitators to speak directly to the work we do in APS.
When is PD held and what topics are covered?
Targeted PD | Pathway PD |
|---|---|
This half-day PD runs from January - May and is designed to focus on a topic for a two-year cycle. However, frequently the topics connect from cycle to cycle. The first year of a cycle consists of the delivery of information, whereas the second year of a cycle engages teachers and staff in action research. | This full-day PD runs in August and November and is organized to meet the needs of the teachers and staff based on teacher surveys, state requirements, and new curricular resources. |
Who’s Responsible for Professional Development?
Targeted PD | Pathway PD |
|---|---|
Designed and developed by the Professional Growth Council of the LAB, often in conjunction with the Teaching and Learning Council. This material is then presented by each building’s Instructional Leadership Team (ILT). | Curated and organized by the Professional Development Committee. This group of Central Office members as well as instructional coaches and teachers uses data and knowledge about state requirements and new curriculum to obtain facilitators, either from district or out of the district, for PD that will meet the necessary needs of teachers and staff. |
Why does the January - May PD run on a Friday?
For many years in many districts, including Attleboro, professional development was held on Wednesdays. While this served a purpose for the district, the timing was not beneficial for the community. After receiving feedback regarding issues of childcare and scheduling, the district honored the request of parents and moved PD to Fridays.