Final answer:
The principal should start by evaluating current teaching methods and identifying improvement areas, incorporating formative assessments and additional teacher training, while also considering the broader educational reform proposals like rewarding success and increasing parental choice.
Step-by-step explanation:
To begin the planning process for professional development activities that reverse the trend of declining scores on the statewide reading assessment, a principal can start by assessing current teaching practices and identifying areas that require improvement. This initiative may include collecting data, consulting teachers to understand challenges, and reviewing the reading curriculum. The school could consider implementing strategies such as formative assessments, offering additional teacher training, and encouraging innovative instructional methods. Moreover, understanding the broader landscape of educational reform and the proposals geared toward altering school incentives is essential. These incentives include rewarding successful teachers or schools, expanding parental choice, and possibly exploring the introduction of school vouchers. By integrating these strategies, the principal can craft targeted professional development that directly addresses the needs of their educators and students.