5) How is professional development evaluated in terms of fidelity of implementation as well as impact?

It has been said, "What you expect, you inspect."

When developing a professional development experience, the plan should include a description of how the goals of the PD experience will be assessed. Information should be gathered throughout the process to continually refine the program and impact implementation practices.

When evaluating professional development at deeper levels, there should be consideration given to the fidelity of implementation, which is "the extent to which delivery of an intervention adheres to the protocol or program model originally developed". In addition, professional development should be evaluated in terms of impact on teacher behavior as well as student outcomes.

Heidi Mathie Mucha describes the importance of treatment fidelity.

Transcript of Video

Thomas Guskey provides further details regarding the level of evaluation, including examples of questions asked, and how the information will be gathered and utilized. As LEAs begin evaluating the PD experiences at deeper levels, there will be opportunities for program improvements that will result in improved outcomes for teachers and students. View the Five Levels of Professional Development Evaluation

Guskey's Five Levels of Professional Development Evaluation go beyond the typical evaluation of participant's satisfaction. The levels and associated implications are seen in the following graphic:

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[1] Does It Make A Difference? Evaluating Professional Development; Dr. Thomas Guskey, Educational Leadership, March, 2002