As we began work on the framework a year ago, we decided to format the twelve Learning Forward Standards for Staff Development into five areas of responsibilities. By doing so we believe it will result in ueasier planning, implementaiton, and evaluation of school-focuesed professional development. Ultimately, out quest is to have A Framework for School-Focused Professional Development become the standards for professional eevelopment in all schools throughout Colorado.

The value of this framework is that high quality professional learning for Colorado eudcators is critical to increase student learning and close achievement gaps. Until the responsibilities with A Framework for School-Focused Professional Development are understood and used buy educators acrosss Colorado, the disparities in learning and achievement that exist will continue.

Other specific benefits for job specific personnel from using the framework include:

• Superintendents - consistent expectations at all levels to elevate the quality of professional development throughout the district.
• Instuctional administrators - standards from which to design district or school level learning experiences, as well as trainin staff members to use at sites.
• Principals - a school improvement process tool to meet NCLB requirements.
• Teacher leaders - a diagnostic tool to ensure quality professional development at schools through identified needs.

Regardless of the current focus for learning and experiential background your school or district has, A Framework for School-Focused Professional Development is a valuable document to confirm your accomplishments and determine next steps. There is no "one best area of responsibilities" within the framework from which to begin your use of it and strengthen professional development in your school or district. The wide flexibility if offers educators is part of its value.

We plan to offer support tools that will assist educators deepen their understanding of the framework. These support tools wil include models for how to use, real life examples of schools or districts that are using the framework and resources that are useful to achieve various aspects within it.