Professional development plans are built around a thorough understanding of grade level instructional/reading priorities, and explicit knowledge of programs and practices that have been documented through research. These include: an understanding of the four purposes of reading assessment, the importance of a reliable and valid assessment system, interpreting reports and linking assessment to instruction, fluency with delivering the core reading program with a high level of fidelity and student engagement, explicit instruction, and supplemental and intervention programs to support struggling students.
On-going professional development is embedded with additional supports for implementation, such as professional learning communities that are driven by student performance and coaching. Specific time is allocated to analyze, plan, and refine instruction, particularly at benchmark periods.