What question should a principal consider first when evaluating professional development activities?

When evaluating professional development activities, a principal should prioritize whether the activity is likely to increase teacher effectiveness in addressing the concepts defined in state reading standards. This focus is crucial because the primary goal of professional development is to enhance teachers' skills and knowledge, ultimately impacting student learning and achievement. By concentrating on activities that align with state standards, administrators ensure that teachers acquire relevant strategies, techniques, and insights that directly support curricular objectives and student outcomes.

The emphasis on teacher effectiveness and its relation to student success highlights the foundational purpose of professional development—cultivating an informed and skilled teaching workforce capable of elevating educational experiences for students. This approach aligns professional growth with state expectations, thereby creating a meaningful and targeted learning experience for teachers.

Other considerations, such as cost-effectiveness, equitable content area addressing, or the credentials of trainers, while important, do not directly connect to the immediate impact of professional development on teaching and learning. Therefore, determining the effectiveness of an activity in relation to state standards should take precedence in the evaluation process.