Designing 21st Century Universal Classrooms

Professional Development Institute

The CCSU Professional Development Institute (formerly SDI) is an innovative professional learning initiative designed to improve student achievement within, between, and among classroom, grade levels, teams, departments, programs, schools, and districts by building the school improvement, reform, and transformation capacity of each school’s faculty.  Through participation in the PDI, teachers have an opportunity to convene as professional learning communities and/or action research leadership teams (which may include administrators, teachers, and support professionals) and develop the skills and knowledge that will enable them to create and sustain school improvement aligned with action plans.  PDI participants can participate in a variety of differentiated processes for professional learning that highlight examining student work, engaging in reflective discussions, examining your own and others’ practices, and creating action plans for improvement.  Participants and teams may be provided with structured professional development (such as this year’s “Writing for Understanding” and future technology offerings) and will receive ongoing support from Ellen Emery, the PDI Coordinator and Linda Keating, Curriculum Director. Participants and teams will also receive differentiated project stipends to use for school improvement.  Participants and teams will identify needs, plan strategies, and implement action plans to improve achievement.  All participants have differentiated projects products to document and reflect on the project’s effectiveness at meeting the intended goal outlined in the proposal, how the work improved student achievement, and next steps to continue work. This action research approach to continuous improvement must be aligned with district and school goals.

Click here for a printer-friendly version of the Differentiated PDI Project Elements (pdf)

PDI Project Resources Stipend Request Form 09-10

Last updated: Apr 16 at 11:18 am