The School Committee voted last night to send a proposed professional development plan to its Curriculum Subcommittee for further review.
School Superintendent Suzanne Scallion presented a professional development plan that substantially extends the current program, adding 30 hours over the course of the academic year to improving teaching practices through peer coaching.
Scallion requested the committee to approve the plan that would insert 10 half-days for students into the school calendar next year, all 10 on a Wednesday. Teachers would attend courses, selected in conjunction with curriculum supervisors, department heads and principal, that would be presented by other teachers within the district.
“I’ve front-loaded the profession development half days early into the school year,” Scallion said. “We need to capitalize on the expertise of our staff. Our teachers and staff members have been asking for professional development.”
Scallion said the courses to be offered through the professional development program will be identified through a collaboration of principals, the district’s instructional team and teachers.
“This is about teachers teaching teachers,” Scallion said. “To be effective, they need to have the opportunity to be together. This is the only way to get together to collaborate, to share best practices. Teachers will earn professional development credit needed for certification.”
Scallion said the peer professional development program has the advantage of being more cost-effective than sending a small number of teachers and staff members to programs outside the district and is also a more efficient method of sharing information.
Scallion said professional development courses will focus on seven “strands” which include district curriculum, literacy, math, 21st Century Learning, instructional practices, beginning teacher support and specialties (music, are, nurses, counselors).
Committee Vice Chairman Kevin Sullivan, who requested that the plan be referred to subcommittee, said he is concerned about adding 10 student half-days to the school year and the impact it will have on parents who have to adjust their schedules or make other arrangements for early-release days.
“I have to be sold on 10 half days,” he said. “There will be a stir in the public because of the disruption it will cause to parents.”
“I support professional development. I would like to hear the pros and cons of doing it,” Sullivan said.
Scallion said that she is already working with principals and will work with the PTO groups and civic organizations such as the Boys & Girls Club to find alternative educational programs for the half day sessions
