The School Development Program designs and delivers customized professional development experiences for pre-K to 12 educators at the school and district levels. We synthesize and combine the latest research with our experiences as professional educators to provide participants with practical, effective, and research-based strategies that they can use immediately.
How we deliver content is as important as the knowledge we share. We model teamwork and effective instructional strategies. Our workshops and other professional development activities are interactive, engaging, and fun, and meet the standards of the National Staff Development Council Standards.
For schools and districts implementing the SDP model (also referred to as the “Comer Process”), we recommend a scope sequence of professional development experiences that include Academies 101 and 102.
We also offer on-site, customized professional development workshops on:
- Child and adolescent development, including brain development
- Understanding and managing student behavior
- Effective strategies for engaging parents, families, and communities
- Effective instructional strategies
- Leadership development for school and district administrators
We have created two professional development programs that are designed to improve instruction, foster collaboration, and tap the knowledge, skills, and experiences of veteran and novice teachers. They are Teachers Helping Teachers (THT) and the Balanced Curriculum Process (BC).
Teachers Helping Teachers
Teachers Helping Teachers (THT) is designed to help teachers learn and use best teaching practices to meet the learning needs of students. The program integrates principles of child and adolescent development, adult learning theory, and collaborative practices to explore six basic instructional models. Teachers develop their knowledge and skills to increase the effectiveness of their teaching through dialogue with their peers, and professional reflection practices. This program includes a series of customized professional development sessions, professional practice, and peer support activities.
The Balanced Curriculum Process
The Balanced Curriculum Process (BC) is a customized process that helps teachers and administrators collaboratively and systematically examine key curriculum factors that impact instruction including:
- National, state, and local standards;
- State and local assessments; and
- Textbooks and other instructional resources.
The process uses the six developmental pathways and the SDP’s guiding principles as a framework for decision making about what is important to teach and when it should be taught. This customized process is designed to increase student achievement and improve school performance.
The School Development Program teacher development sessions are eligible for Title I professional development funds.
