Hidden Sparks Evaluation

The Hidden Sparks Fund is dedicate to helping children with learning differences reach their full potential by developing and supporting professional development for educators in Jewish day schools. This project evaluates a professional development program aimed at improving teachers and administrators understanding and support for a wide range of learners. Based on the neurodevelopmental approach and positive behavioral support, the program provides professional development opportunities for administrators (SCALE) and internal coaches, who return to their schools and work with teachers directly to improve their understanding and practice. The program, run by the All Kinds of Minds Institute in New York, is designed to help teachers broaden their understanding of how students learn, common ways that students struggle to learn, effective assessment and behavioral management, as well as ways to successfully address student needs. In the course of the evaluation, CCT is charting the impact of the program on practitioners’ knowledge, changes in practice over time, and ultimately the effect on the students themselves.