Professional Development Support System (PDS2)
Extending professional developers' capacity to actively engage teachers in sustained, evidence-based professional learning and collaboration

PDS2 responds to the increased demand for high-quality professional development in literacy instruction. A web-based system of video cases, related resources, and communication tools, PDS2 allows school-based professional developers to flexibly plan, implement, and support professional learning opportunities for teachers. When integrated with the STEP Literacy Assessment and STEPTool, a data analysis tool, PDS2 can further enhance the ability of professional developers to strategically address the needs of teachers and their students.

PDS2 provides on-demand access to:

• a multimedia database of video cases of K-3 classroom literacy instruction, commentary, student work artifacts, reference materials, and professional development ideas;
• easy-to-use tools for finding, organizing, and customizing the resources to teachers' learning needs;
• online learning groups where members can share resources, discuss instructional practice, and collaborate.

Problems of Practice
PDS2 is designed to help sustain and expand school-based models of professional development. As these models go to scale, efficiency and continued effectiveness are critical. PDS2 responds to these pressures by solving problems of practice that individual teachers, school-based professional developers, and institutions experience as they work to improve instruction.

Value Added
PDS2 can add value to the work of teachers, professional developers, and institutions committed to providing sustained, evidence-based professional development. PDS2 increases opportunities to observe and reflect on teaching and learning, helps prepare professional developers for their complex role, and increases the efficiency and coherence in school-based staff development work.