Program

Education K-12 M.A.

Number of Pages

76

Year Approved

2022

First Advisor

Silmser, Lisa

Second Reader

John Bergeland;

Abstract

This application thesis explores the role of professional development in effective standards implementation. Applying themes in the research on standards implementation and professional development, a continuum of support was created to support the implementation of the revised 2020 Minnesota English Language Arts standards. In the review, the research themes impacting standards implementation professional development were identified, including teacher perception and attitudes, professional development design, and effectiveness of implementation. Within these themes, elements of effective professional development were used to create a menu of four main supports to educators including informational webinars, three standards implementation sessions, a resource hub, and ongoing implementation coaching. These supports were built on the elements of content knowledge, process knowledge, teacher collaboration, professional development design, customization flexibility, and instructional practices connections to standards. The author of the application thesis concludes that professional development is a critical component of effective standards implementation, and as standards’ revision cycles continue, professional development on standards implementation should continue to be widely promoted. Additionally, the continuum of comprehensive implementation supports contained in the application portion of the thesis could serve as a replicable model for the implementation of content standards.

Degree Name

Education K-12 M.A.

Document Type

Masterʼs thesis

Included in

Education Commons

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