Culturally Proficient Professional Learning to Enhance Learning Transfer: Guidance for Superintendents

Superintendents provide resources so that their district teams, principals, and teachers receive quality and frequent professional learning opportunities. As a result, it is crucial that the money invested in professional learning yields a return on their and their constituents’ investments through improved academic achievement, teacher and students well-being, and teacher and leader retention. In other words, it is essential that the knowledge, skills, and abilities learned during professional learning be applied to the classrooms and schools. Culture is a predominant force in people’s life that impacts learning and thus culture influences learning transfer.

The culturally proficient professional learning (CPPL) framework and the Multidimensional Model of learning transfer (MMLT) are research-based and culturally grounded practical frameworks that superintendents can use prior, during, and after professional learning to maximize learning transfer and get a return on their investments while also improving students learning outcomes and all stakeholders’ well-being.