This learning theory contains 5 key elements to promote growth and retention through data-driven practice. These ideas are adapted from an article published by the NSW government education department.

The HIPL Principle - Overarching Ideas

Learning is designed to meet a need. Gaps are identified through analysis of data regarding current successes and areas for improvement.

Element 1

Leadership teams allow for time for professional learning. Leaders create the culture, support, and structure for a growth mindset within their organization. This allows employees to foster their passions and improve practice.

Element 2

Educators are a team. Collaborative learning allows for more growth and cross-functional teaming to build relationships and commonality within a group.

Element 3

Professional learning is continuous, focused, and driven by performance metrics and development goals both personally and enterprise wide. Focus on the story the data tells and then opt for learning that supports improvement and growth.

Element 4

Data review. Continue to review data sets to evaluate adjustments. Be willing to continuously recalibrate and update current practices in order to achieve the goals and desired results outlined in performance metrics. Strive for ongoing growth and achievement for both the educator and the student.

Element 5

High impact professional learning provides a clear concise scaffold that fosters engagement, creates buy in, is data-driven, and utilizes data trends to create ongoing professional development. This method uses 5 key elements to support educators as they strive to improve their practice.

Recap

The High Impact Professional Learning (HIPL) model is a set of 5 elements, informed by global research, that support the professional growth of all teaching staff to strengthen teaching practice to improve student growth and performance.<figure><img src="https://education.nsw.gov.au/content/dam/main-education/en/home/teaching-and-learning/professional-learning/high-impact-professional-learning/hipl-visuals/image/06_HIPL_The_5_HIPL_Elements.jpg/jcr:content/renditions/cq5dam.web.1280.1280.jpeg" alt="" title="06_HIPL_The_5_HIPL_Elements" width="450" height="318"><figcaption dir="auto">Image:
The 5 elements of the High Impact Professional Learning model</figcaption></figure>The HIPL model is embedded in the department’s <a href="https://education.nsw.gov.au/policy-library/policies/pd-2016-0468-06" dir="ltr">Professional learning for teachers and school staff procedure</a>. The procedure supports teachers, leaders and non-teaching staff in their ongoing development, which is critical to the progress and achievement of every student, teacher and school.Professional learning is a key enabler across the Learning, Teaching and Leading domains in the department’s School Excellence Framework which states that:"In schools that excel, professional learning is informed by the professional needs of teachers and aligned with the School Excellence Plan. Its impact on the quality of teaching and student learning outcomes is evaluated. There are explicit systems for collaboration and feedback to sustain quality teaching practice.” (School Excellence Framework v3)<h3>High Impact Professional Learning to support student growth and performance</h3>The cycle of professional learning for principals, executive, teachers and non-school based teachers, which focuses on deepening teaching practice for ongoing growth in student learning, is underpinned by 5 elements outlined in the High Impact Professional Learning model. The 5 HIPL elements are: <UL><LI><a href="https://education.nsw.gov.au/teaching-and-learning/professional-learning/high-impact-professional-learning/what-is-hipl/student-needs-drive-teacher-learning" dir="ltr">Professional learning is driven by identified student needs</a> - Professional learning is designed to meet student needs, identified through analysis of current system, school and classroom data about growth and performance.</LI><LI><a href="https://education.nsw.gov.au/teaching-and-learning/professional-learning/high-impact-professional-learning/what-is-hipl/leadership-that-prioritises-learning" dir="ltr">School leadership teams enable professional learning </a>- Leaders create the culture and structures, including supporting resources, that build a cycle of professional learning; an inclusive environment that enables learning and growth in every teacher in which new learning is applied to teaching practice.</LI><LI><a href="https://education.nsw.gov.au/teaching-and-learning/professional-learning/high-impact-professional-learning/what-is-hipl/collaboration-that-improves-classroom-practice" dir="ltr">Collaborative and applied professional learning strengthens teaching practice</a> - Teachers work together – propelled and critically challenged by expert input, to learn, shape and strengthen teaching practice for ongoing student growth and performance.</LI><LI><a href="https://education.nsw.gov.au/teaching-and-learning/professional-learning/high-impact-professional-learning/what-is-hipl/a-culture-of-continuous-learning" dir="ltr">Professional learning is continuous and coherent</a> - Effective professional learning is aligned to system, school and individual performance and development goals. It supports teachers and school leaders to deepen their practice by focusing on sustained evidence-informed approaches.</LI><LI><a href="https://education.nsw.gov.au/teaching-and-learning/professional-learning/high-impact-professional-learning/what-is-hipl/accountability-for-impact-on-student-progress" dir="ltr">Teachers and school leaders are responsible for the impact of professional learning on student growth and performance</a> - Teachers and school leaders evaluate how adjustments in their practice following professional learning impact on student growth and performance, regularly recalibrating and refining to ensure ongoing progress and achievement for students.</LI></UL><figure><img src="https://education.nsw.gov.au/content/dam/main-education/en/home/teaching-and-learning/professional-learning/high-impact-professional-learning/what-is-hipl/image/HIPL-Circle-May-20241.png/jcr:content/renditions/cq5dam.web.1280.1280.png" title="HIPL-Circle-May-20241" width="450" height="344"></figure>For information about how professional learning should be incorporated into the school strategic planning process, access the <a href="https://education.nsw.gov.au/about-us/strategies-and-reports/school-excellence-and-accountability/school-excellence-in-action/enhancing-teacher-capabilities" dir="ltr">Enhancing teacher capabilities</a> page on the School Excellence in Action website.

The High Impact Professional Learning (HIPL) model supports the professional growth of all teachers.

corporateculture

Corporate Culture

education

Learning & Education

business

Business

humanresources

Human Resources

The High Impact Professional Learning (HIPL) model is a set of 5 elements, informed by global research, that support the professional growth of all teaching staff to strengthen teaching practice to improve student growth and performance.

The HIPL model is embedded in the department’s <a href="https://education.nsw.gov.au/policy-library/policies/pd-2016-0468-06">Professional learning for teachers and school staff procedure </a>. The procedure supports teachers, leaders and non-teaching staff in their ongoing development, which is critical to the progress and achievement of every student, teacher and school.

Professional learning is a key enabler across the Learning, Teaching and Leading domains in the department’s School Excellence Framework which states that:

"In schools that excel, professional learning is informed by the professional needs of teachers and aligned with the School Excellence Plan. Its impact on the quality of teaching and student learning outcomes is evaluated. There are explicit systems for collaboration and feedback to sustain quality teaching practice.” (School Excellence Framework v3)

High Impact Professional Learning to support student growth and performance

The cycle of professional learning for principals, executive, teachers and non-school based teachers, which focuses on deepening teaching practice for ongoing growth in student learning, is underpinned by 5 elements outlined in the High Impact Professional Learning model.

<ul><li><a href="https://education.nsw.gov.au/teaching-and-learning/professional-learning/high-impact-professional-learning/what-is-hipl/student-needs-drive-teacher-learning">Professional learning is driven by identified student needs </a> - Professional learning is designed to meet student needs, identified through analysis of current system, school and classroom data about growth and performance. </li><li><a href="https://education.nsw.gov.au/teaching-and-learning/professional-learning/high-impact-professional-learning/what-is-hipl/leadership-that-prioritises-learning">School leadership teams enable professional learning </a>- Leaders create the culture and structures, including supporting resources, that build a cycle of professional learning; an inclusive environment that enables learning and growth in every teacher in which new learning is applied to teaching practice. </li><li><a href="https://education.nsw.gov.au/teaching-and-learning/professional-learning/high-impact-professional-learning/what-is-hipl/collaboration-that-improves-classroom-practice">Collaborative and applied professional learning strengthens teaching practice </a> - Teachers work together – propelled and critically challenged by expert input, to learn, shape and strengthen teaching practice for ongoing student growth and performance. </li><li><a href="https://education.nsw.gov.au/teaching-and-learning/professional-learning/high-impact-professional-learning/what-is-hipl/a-culture-of-continuous-learning">Professional learning is continuous and coherent </a> - Effective professional learning is aligned to system, school and individual performance and development goals. It supports teachers and school leaders to deepen their practice by focusing on sustained evidence-informed approaches. </li><li><a href="https://education.nsw.gov.au/teaching-and-learning/professional-learning/high-impact-professional-learning/what-is-hipl/accountability-for-impact-on-student-progress">Teachers and school leaders are responsible for the impact of professional learning on student growth and performance </a> - Teachers and school leaders evaluate how adjustments in their practice following professional learning impact on student growth and performance, regularly recalibrating and refining to ensure ongoing progress and achievement for students. </li> </ul>

For information about how professional learning should be incorporated into the school strategic planning process, access the <a href="https://education.nsw.gov.au/about-us/strategies-and-reports/school-excellence-and-accountability/school-excellence-in-action/enhancing-teacher-capabilities">Enhancing teacher capabilities </a>page on the School Excellence in Action website.

What is high impact professional learning?