Who We Are and What We Do

STEPS Professional Development is a wholly owned subsidiary of Edith Cowan University in Perth, Western Australia. Dedicated to improving student achievement through the use of research-based resources, STEPS provides professional development and publishes materials for teachers, schools, and districts in the areas of literacy, mathematics and physical education. STEPS is a global organisation serving schools around the world through offices in Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom and New Zealand.

Four Good Reasons to Choose STEPS Professional Development

STEPS Professional Development is an organization run by educators for educators.
We are dedicated to practical, sustainable innovation in schools.
We are wholly owned by Edith Cowan University; Western Australia’s oldest, largest and most prominent teacher education institution.
We direct surplus dollars toward the research and development into areas of curriculum need.

Our Resources

STEPS Professional Development resources are not programs or packages. They provide a basis on which teachers can make informed professional judgements about the needs of students. Each resource is research-based, and has been designed to support teachers by providing practical curriculum resources such as books and CD ROMs. All resources complement ongoing teacher-centred professional development that is focussed on long-term sustainable positive school change.

Our Consultants

Our Consultants are all educators with years of classroom experience and are talented, international and national presenters. They share a common commitment to helping teachers to enhance their professional judgments about students, content knowledge and the quality of their classroom instruction.

Our Professional Development Model

STEPS Professional Development can conduct Teacher Courses for schools anywhere in the world, although it makes more sense to train local Facilitators who can support local teachers. Research into the effectiveness of school reform and professional learning has provided educators with clear guidelines for maximising the potential of professional development initiatives. It is evident that teachers find it difficult to implement initiatives that are not supported by ongoing coaching and support from skilled and knowledgeable peers (Joyce and Showers, 1995). STEPS Professional Development has combined research with hands on experience in the field of staff development to refine a Quality Professional Development Model that makes training effective and sustainable.

STEPS Professional Development can provide your school/district with a sublicence, through the training of Facilitators. These Facilitators are then equipped to provide professional development for local teachers.

Benefits of Our Professional Development Model

You are able to assume control of the implementation of the initiative.
You are able to recruit Facilitators who have local understandings of issues.
You are able to access resources at a significant discount.
You can provide teachers with ongoing support when they need it.
The initiative is shaped by you for your context.