The Misuse of Professional Development

By Hayes Mizell

As students throughout the nation settle into another school year, it's time to have a serious discussion about what it takes to develop and sustain great teachers.

While high-quality professional learning is critical to meeting constantly evolving challenges, an overwhelming majority of school systems know very little about what educators learn through professional development, how effectively they use what they learn, and to what extent students benefit. This lack of accountability must end.

If you listen carefully to the educators responsible for conceiving, planning, organizing, and implementing professional development, most of what you hear focuses on process, including process...