Professional Development is Key to Reaching Rigorous Goals
October 29, 2013
TURNERS FALLS, MA—Northeast Foundation for Children (NEFC), developer of the Responsive Classroom approach to elementary teaching, has just released a white paper detailing howResponsive Classroom practices help teachers meet the rigorous goals of the Common Core State Standards (CCSS). The white paper, titled “Teacher Skill Drives Common Core Success: How Responsive Classroom Helps,” explains that effective, high quality teaching is required if students are to learn in the ways intended by the Common Core.
“The single most important factor in achieving the standards is teachers with instructional prowess,” says NEFC executive director Lora Hodges. “Proficient teachers engage all students, lift them to high levels of content mastery, provoke critical thinking and deep analysis, and coach students into becoming strong communicators and collaborators.”
Since 1981, teachers have been turning to Responsive Classroom professional development to increase their capacity for transformative teaching. Through Responsive Classroom training, they learn practical strategies for developing competencies in three key domains: (1) engaging academics, (2) effective management, and (3) positive community. Teacher strength in these three domains means students can develop the academic, social, and emotional skills needed to achieve the rigorous learning called for by the Common Core. Indeed, recent research by the University of Virginia found that Responsive Classroom increases teachers’ use of standards-based practices and leads to higher-quality instruction.
The white paper explains in detail how the Responsive Classroom approach aligns with the Common Core, focusing on how Responsive Classroom teaching practices address four specific CCSS challenges: creating a climate of learning, engaging students in rich academic conversations, teaching more complex content and skills, and fostering genuine student engagement.
“To effectively implement the Common Core,” says Lora Hodges, “our teachers need the appropriate training and resources. Responsive Classroom is a proven source of such professional development, a way to build teachers’ capacity to make the instructional shifts that will prepare students to fully participate in, contribute to, and thrive in our ever-evolving society. We stand ready to partner with schools and districts in reaching success with the Common Core.”
For more information, contact:
Northeast Foundation for Children, Inc.
85 Avenue A, P.O. Box 718, Turners Falls, MA 01376
800-360-6332, ext. 111