Professional development is a significant investment of resources - not only financial, but also time and effort. Establishing system-wide readiness will increase the likelihood that the investment will pay off in the long run reflected in changed instructional practice and improved student achievement.

The following readiness activities are recommended to support discussion regarding the specific needs of English Learners:

1. Focused Approach Starter Toolkit - This A Focused Approach Starter Toolkit is a resource to introduce school staff to A Focused Approach: Instruction for English Learners, which serves as the foundation for E.L. Achieve's professional development offerings.

Starter Toolkit Faciltator CD - A Focused Approach Starter Toolkit Facilitator's Guide is also available including five 30-45 minute sessions with facilitator notes. This CD contains powerpoint presentations and pdf files.

2. English Learner instruction professional readings.  Readings may be helpful for individual review and/or facilitated collaborative learning. Download from Research/Articles.

3. Utilize E.L. Achieve's Readiness Survey, page 3 of District Implementation Plan template, to assess the current level of system readiness.  Districts may want to conduct the Readiness Survey with leadership teams, representatives from various stakeholder groups or with all staff.  Aggregating results may provide useful insight to direct readiness efforts.

The following survey tools include the same elements included in the District Implementation plan in a one-page format (partner districts may request on-line survey tool from E.L. Achieve):

-  Readiness Survey - Systematic ELD
-  Readiness Survey - Constructing Meaning

Three to six months following an Institute, districts may administer the following survey to assess the degree of system implementation. The survey results provide a basis for revisiting the District Implementation Plan and can inform ongoing planning:

-  Implementation Survey - Systematic ELD