PD & Program Evaluation
About Professional Development
As things in the education field change and progress, it's important that we be aware of these changes so we can best serve our students. One of the key things to understand is not all students are the same or learn in the same way; because of this, we must always be willing to learn new methods of teaching and coaching.
High Ability-Focused Professional Development
- Teachers and administrators will understand the characteristics and needs of high ability children, as well as the definition of giftedness as defined by Indiana.
- Using best practices, teachers will provide differentiated services for students.
- Effective professional development will support both general and high ability teachers as they respond to high ability learners’ academic and social-emotional needs.
- Teachers and administrators will understand the identification process.
- Administrators and the high ability coordinator will provide leadership in analysis of student data.
- All HHSC educators are encouraged to attend differentiation workshops.
- Teachers of high ability students are encouraged to attend the Indiana Association for the Gifted (IAG) Conference and other conferences and workshops related to the specific academic and social-emotional needs of high ability students.
Program Evaluation
- The High Ability Broad-Based Planning Committee (BBPC) serves an advisory function and provides a forum for discussion of current research and how to use available resources to best meet the needs of our high ability students. Stakeholders include administrators, teachers, counselors, parents, and students.
- Administrators at each school building will identify one administrator and at least one certified staff member as high ability liaisons. These individuals will attend the BBPC meetings and oversee high ability identification, programming, and professional development at their building with support and guidance from the Corporation High Ability Coordinator. Administrators and liaisons are encouraged to invite community members, parents, and high ability students to attend BBPC meetings.