Question

Why is a needs assessment a crucial first step in designing a professional development program?

• A. To identify the specific knowledge and skill gaps of the teachers.
• B. To fulfill a mandatory requirement from the education department.
• C. To provide teachers with general information about new teaching methodologies.
• D. To determine the availability of external trainers and resources.

Answer 1

Answer:

A. To identify the specific knowledge and skill gaps of the teachers.

• A needs assessment helps determine what teachers actually need to learn to be more effective.

• Without this step, professional development can be generic and ineffective, as it may not address the real challenges and learning needs of the teaching staff.