Professional Development

CDC Professional Development Practices

At a glance

  • Professional development (PD) is a systematic way to strengthen the knowledge, skills, and attitudes of a workforce.
  • This page describes the six professional development practices (PDPs).
  • There are also tools and resources to help school districts achieve a sustainable PD framework.
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The goal of professional development

The goal of professional development—per CDC's Division of Adolescent and School Health (DASH) priorities—is to improve the health, education, and well-being of youth.

Professional development (PD) contributes to this goal by enhancing the knowledge, skills, and attitudes of health and education professionals. In this way, they can be more effective in positively effecting young people.

What works in schools programs‎

The programs may support classroom management, effective teaching, and the DASH strategies. Examples are sexual health education, sexual health services, and safe and supportive environments.

See Also

Diverse group of students talking with one another and having fun.
Measuring the Effects of Professional Development
Assess the knowledge related to the core competencies for creating safe schools for students.

CDC Professional Development Practices

CDC's professional development practices (PDPs) are a series of steps based on research and best practices. When effectively applied, they can:

  • Increase active learner engagement.
  • Provide optimal conditions to enable learning, and to implement knowledge and skills in the work setting.

These practices are a way to achieve sustainability over time.

CDC's professional development practices (PDPs)‎

A series of steps based on research and best practices. When effectively applied, they increase active learner engagement and provide optimal conditions for the transfer of learning and implementation of the knowledge and skills in the work setting. These practices provide a process to achieve sustainability over time.
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Professional development practices (PDPs)

A gear that is labeled "Sustain."
Sustain a Professional Development Infrastructure
Understand and use the existing structure and practices for providing PD in your agency.
A gear that is labeled "Design."
Design Professional Development Offerings
Design offerings and technical assistance are based on adult learning research and best practice.
A gear that is labeled "Promote."
Promote Professional Development Offerings
Know your target audience and use promotional strategies that capture its attention and interest.
A gear that is labeled "Deliver."
Deliver Professional Development Offerings
Deliver PD offerings to positively effect learning and create change.
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Provide Follow-Up Support
Reinforce the skills of your participants through continued and targeted follow-up support.
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Evaluate Professional Development Processes
Use the evaluate practice to inform your PD plan and to report your successes and lessons learned.

Definitions

Professional development events

  • The events offer skill-building designed to help targeted participants master certain learning objectives.
  • Ensure adequate time for the event (at least 3 hours). The events may include curriculum and other training, workshops, and online or distance learning courses.

Professional development offering

  • This can consist of events, information sessions, and technical assistance.

Technical assistance (TA)

  • TA is targeted support given to a person or group. The intent is to increase knowledge and skills, to strengthen an organization’s capacity to achieve PS18-1807 NOFO goals.
  • Support may be provided through professional development events, and technical assistance. Support can also involve offering guidance and resource materials, or referrals to other agencies or organizations.

Professional development practices inventory

CDC's Professional Development (PD) Practices Inventory was developed to help DASH-funded recipients. The Inventory can help recipients identify best practices and processes to set up a comprehensive PD program.

The Inventory is designed as a tool for a person and/or team. The Inventory helps assess strengths, areas of growth, priorities, and next steps.

Keep Reading: The CDC Professional Development (PD) Practices Inventory

Directions:

  • Individually, or with other colleagues, review all or selected CDC PD Practice Inventory items.
  • Decide if each CDC PD Practice item is "not yet in place," "partially in place," "mostly in place," or "fully in place."
  • For each CDC PD Practice reviewed, determine your strengths, areas of growth, priorities, and next steps.

Training

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Professional Development Training
Trainings relying on research and best practices promote best conditions for implementation to occur.
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Content Source:
Adolescent and School Health; National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (NCCDPHP)