How to Find Evidence-Based Professional Development [+ Free Guide]

With a projected 10.8% increase in STEM-related jobs from 2021 to 2031, the United States needs to accelerate and augment its current approach to science, technology, engineering and math education — especially as we continue addressing learning loss from the pandemic.

Quantifying Learning Loss

The National Assessment of Educational Progress tests illustrated the pandemic’s impact on students, with the performance of 9-year-olds in math and reading dropping to levels from two decades ago.
 
“The declines spanned almost all races and income levels and were markedly worse for the lowest-performing students,” the New York Times reported. “While top performers in the 90th percentile showed a modest drop — three points in math — students in the bottom 10th percentile dropped by 12 points in math, four times the impact.”
 

Equipping Educators for STEM Teaching  

The long-term solution starts with high-quality, inclusive STEM learning in elementary and high school, ultimately leading to college graduates who will fill the career pipeline with a well-prepared STEM workforce.
 
That’s why it’s critical to provide K-12 teachers with evidence-based professional development that is relevant and engaging — especially in the STEM disciplines. Quality evidence-based PD provides educators (and ultimately, their students) with the tools they need to optimize the learning experience.

Free guide: How to Find Evidence-Based PD
 

Finding Evidence-Based Professional Development

As you look at different professional development options, here are some questions you can ask to determine if the PD is high-quality and evidence-based:

• What credentials and experience do the instructors have?

• Are the instructors engaging and interactive?

• Do they have deep subject knowledge?

• Is the content relevant and timely?

• Does the program use models and pedagogies that have been proven effective?

• Is there feedback and support?

 
We’ve put together a free guide that digs deeper into this subject and includes the following sections:

• Factors Driving the Need

• Elements to Look For

• Key Questions to Ask

• Programs to Consider

 

Find the Support Your Educators Need Today

Teacher burnout is still apparent in today's landscape. Educators are constantly balancing the demands of instruction and addressing the social-emotional health of their students. In fact, “at least 300,000 public-school teachers and staff left the field between February 2020 and May 2022,” according to The Wall Street Journal.
 
But when teachers and staff are supported by dedicated administrators — and have access to high-quality, evidence-based professional development — it can re-energize them. Not just from newly learned content and pedagogies, but also from the relationships formed with fellow educators.
 
We encourage you to download our free Buyer’s Guide: How to Find Evidence-Based STEM Professional Development. We are proud to be your partner in advancing STEM learning and supporting educators.

Free guide: How to Find Evidence-Based PD