Evidence Based
Professional Development as a school intervention is validated by the work of Timperley, Wilson, Barrar, and Fung (2007) who found 72 studies that assessed the effects of professional development on student outcomes. Based on their meta-analysis of these studies, the overall effect on student outcomes was d = .66, validating that professional development has a significantly significant effect on student outcomes which is significantly higher than the minimal standards of the WWC’s (d = .25).
Timperley and his colleagues further used effect sizes to identify what works best in professional development in terms of positively impacting student outcomes. KIDS 1st has teamed with PD Analytics to monitor and ensure high levels of competency in the areas identified in their work.
PD Analytics
PD Analytics (PDA) is a unique computer-based technology designed to align KIDS 1st professional development and coaching with teacher/administrator needs. PDA collects survey data, professional development details, and student formative and state test data for the purpose of linking professional development to student outcomes. PDA’s surveys have been validated as measuring the intended constructs and have been shown to perform reliably over time.
PDA is host to a growing PD data base supervised by a Research Scientist and a team of education professionals. Professional development data within PDA serves as a resource to research ways to improve outcomes for KIDS, and to ensure high levels of competency in the areas identified in the work of Timperley, Wilson, Barrar, and Fung (2007).