Adopted: 06/16/1986
Revised: 08/15/1988
05/19/2008
537
School District of Prairie Farm
Professional Staff Development Opportunities
I. FOREWORD
The Prairie Farm School District recognizes the need for a continuing professional staff improvement program as initially stated in Standard (b) relating to In-service Programs for Wisconsin School Districts, and as incorporated into Chapter 121.02 (b) of the state statutes.
"A school district shall establish…a professional staff development plan designed to meet the needs of individuals or curriculum areas in each school."
The program described here is intended to fulfill that requirement and to provide direction for District in-service planning.
II. IN-SERVICE EDUCATION OBJECTIVE
The educational process should not be thought of as a static thing. There are always skills to be upgraded, new techniques and skills to be acquired, and new information to be gained whether directly related to the teaching-learning process, or indirectly by relating to those knowledge's and skills that are auxiliary to the classroom teaching function. In-service education's major goal is to improve the overall professional competencies of teachers and administrators.
Specific purposes of in-services are:
- To develop professional skills and/or awareness in emerging professional areas.
- To refine professional skills that were developed in pre-service training.
- To provide professionals with skill development in areas that may need strengthening.
Toward this end, the Prairie Farm School District plans a professional improvement program which encompasses identified needs for the individual staff member, subject areas or building, and the total school district.
In-service goals/objectives are to be determined and written up on a yearly basis in accordance with the needs and interests of all involved. All goals and objectives shall be clearly defined in action plans.
III. IN-SERVICE DEFINITION
In-service education includes all of the collectively and individually planned experiences that contribute to the professional growth and personal enrichment of every member of the instructional staff, administration and board. It is planned and implemented to meet the needs of each of its participants in light of carefully selected goals unique to the school district and its individual staff members.
In-service education can be approached in a number of possible ways: through formal and informal coursework, extension offerings, workshops, seminars, institutes, conferences, discussions, lecture, demonstrations, independent study, research, etc.
In-service activity in the Prairie Farm School District is regulated by the Master Contract.
IV. SUPERVISION OF INSERVICE PLAN
The District in-service education program is given overall supervision by the Curriculum and Staff Development Committee as established by board policy.
V. DEVELOPMENT AND COORDINATION OF INSERVICE PLANS
A District wide in-service committee is comprised of two secondary staff members, one elementary staff member, one administrator and one board representative and/or designee. The chairperson shall rotate annually between the represented groups beginning with the administrative group. This committee will also meet to reconcile in-service concerns on a PreK-12 basis. Meetings shall be held on a monthly basis during the school year.
VI. The Curriculum Committee shall develop staff in-service activities that align with District and Building goals. Each year, the Curriculum Committee shall solicit input from all staff regarding professional and staff development needs.
VII. EVALUATION
Each in-service session will be evaluated by the participants, the in-service committee and the administration.
Standards Ref.: Standard (b) - Staff Development
Legal Ref.: Section 121.02(1) Wisconsin Statutes
Cross Ref.:
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