What should a leader consider first when selecting professional development for staff?

Selecting professional development for staff should begin with ensuring that the training aligns with the campus vision and goals. This alignment ensures that any professional development initiatives are directly connected to the overarching objectives and mission of the school. When professional development is purposefully chosen to enhance the specific goals of an institution, it increases the likelihood that staff will adopt and implement the learning effectively in their practice.

Focusing on alignment helps to foster an environment where the professional growth of educators directly contributes to student achievement and supports collective improvement efforts. This could include skills, knowledge, or practices that the school identifies as necessary for meeting its goals, thereby reinforcing a unified direction among staff members.

Considering effectiveness on other campuses, staff deficits, or cost may also be important aspects in the decision-making process. However, they are secondary to ensuring that the professional development is in harmony with the institution's mission. If the training does not serve the goals of the campus, it may lead to misalignment in educational strategies and hinder the overall progress the school aims to achieve.