Professional development is crucial to our collective success and central to our belief in continuous improvement. The best schools are focused on the learning of children and adults.

This is why we are working to provide educators with outstanding support. Our specific focus on job-embedded professional development is reflected in the DCPS Effective Schools Framework, which outlines the key areas for District reform.

Over the past four years, we have increased spending on professional development by more than 400 percent. Much of this investment is in the full implementation of the instructional coach program, which provides job-embedded support for teachers. We have also provided a significant amount of jobspecific training outside the coach program.

Our professional development efforts are guided by the performance data collected through IMPACT, which enables us to appropriately differentiate our support. IMPACT assessments also provide regular opportunities for all of our school-based employees to receive feedback and suggestions for improvement.

Everyone in our system plays a critical role in improving student outcomes. With a great teacher in every classroom and terrific staff members throughout our schools, our students will graduate prepared for success in college, the workforce, and life.