Curriculum-Based Professional Learning

High-Quality Professional Learning Matters

High-quality instructional materials (HQIM) have an increased positive impact on student learning when paired with curriculum-based, ongoing professional learning to support educators' curriculum literacy and ensure the enacted curriculum supports and engages all students in deeper learning.

Defining High-Quality Professional Learning

High-Quality Professional Development and Learning (HQPD/PL) is a set of coherent learning experiences that is systematic, purposeful, and structured over a sustained period of time with the goal of improving teacher practice and student outcomes. High-quality professional learning to well implement high-quality instructional materials is curriculum-based and grounded in evidence-based practices that are inclusive and culturally and linguistically sustaining.

Resources for Curriculum-Based Professional Learning

• Professional Learning Partner Guide (PLPG), published by Rivet Education, is an online resource for identifying a vetted list of organizations that provide professional learning (PL) services aligned to high-quality instructional materials for ELA/literacy, mathematics, and science & technology/engineering. Massachusetts local education agencies can use the PLPG to identify and select from over thirty professional learning partners who have curriculum-specific expertise to support the launch and effective implementation of high-quality instructional materials after they've undergone a process to evaluate and select HQIM rooted in a shared vision, informed by localized equity priorities, and supported by a diverse group of stakeholders.

  For additional information about DESE's partnership with Rivet Education and the PLPG, please email educatordevelopment@mass.gov .

• Investigating History Certified Professional Development Providers have received training in Investigating History's content, pedagogy, and design and received DESE approval on their professional learning offerings.

• Explore the information and resources within the "Professional Learning" section of the MA Guide to Building Supportive Talent Systems for Educators to support skillful implementation of HQIM through equitable systems and instructional practices.

Last Updated: October 22, 2024