Steps for becoming a providerSchool districts implementing new technologies need the training resources developed by service organizations like yours. If you are interested in becoming a Microsoft Class Server Professional Development provider, a variety of resources are available to help you. Steps for becoming a Class Server Professional Development provider: The business opportunityThe Web-based professional development market is in its early stages of growth but looks to become a large growth opportunity in coming years. Currently, more than $2 billion is being spent a year on technology-related professional development by K-12 schools. Training that is tightly linked to standards-based teaching, assessment, and teacher shortages will be poised for the most dramatic growth. Funds for professional development come from a variety of sources, including Title I and district funds. With the passage of ESEA, approximately $190 million of the $775 million technology dollars will be required for professional development (BLE Group SuperTech News, April 2002). The growth in the market stems from the importance school districts put on fully training teachers. School districts learned that prior software implementations were not successful because teachers did not have the necessary training. This, combined with the focus on professional development in the federal legislation (No Child Left Behind), sets the stage for increased market growth.
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