Shakiyya Bland, Just Equations’ director of educational partnerships, explores the relationship between meaningful, evidence-based professional learning and educators’ ability to provide an equitable education for all students.
In an op-ed for Education Week, Bland calls for a greater investment in quality professional development to improve student outcomes and spark a culture of continuous improvement.
Professional development is foundational to educational success, but our current model is in desperate need of an upgrade. Well-designed curricula are rendered ineffective without a parallel commitment to equipping teachers with the skills they need to bring those plans to life.
Professional learning serves as the main bridge between curriculum change and effective practice. Implementing new teaching approaches and content can be complex, especially when these changes counter deeply ingrained inequitable instructional policies and behaviors.
Educators need more than just new textbooks and updated course titles—we need comprehensive support to sustain best practices and adapt to the changing needs of our students and the evolving nature of research.
Investing in research-based professional development for both math and other educators is not merely an educational expenditure but a commitment to teaching effectively and creating equitable classrooms. It’s also an investment in all students, empowering them and giving them the opportunity to excel on their learning journeys.
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