In an effort to implement new standards in California’s public schools, the chief of state schools launched a teacher’s training program today.
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Tom Torlakson, the state superintendent of public instruction, kicked off California’s Common Core Summer with a day-long seminar in Sacramento to help teachers instill deeper learning of mathematics in their students.
“For teachers, this is California’s Common Core Summer,” Torlakson said, “They’ve just finished their own school year, but they’re already back in class—because they see the opportunity Common Core presents to prepare students for a successful future.”
The California Department of Education convened for the first of two showcases on the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) to help teachers learn how to bring the new standards to life. Today’s event, which brought together 150 educators from across the state, was focused on mathematics.
“They’re setting aside the one-size-fits all curriculum, recycling the drill and kill worksheets and dumping the multiple choice bubble tests,” Torlakson said, “Replacing them with Common Core mathematics, which focuses on a few key areas at each grade level so students learn the skills they really need, step by step.”
Torlakson noted that school districts and county offices of education throughout the state were sponsoring similar training sessions as California makes the transition to the new standards.
“We’re remodeling our education system, but the standards are just the blueprints. The real work, the heavy lifting of this remodeling project, will be done by teachers,” Torlakson said, ”That’s why we’ve brought some of California’s best teachers here, to learn from each other about putting the Common Core to work in the classroom.”
The Math CCSS Showcase allowed participants to learn how to integrate CCSS math content standards and practices, engage in activities that foster knowledge and the art of teaching, and share strategies for increasing student engagement.
The English-Language Arts CCSS Showcase is set for June 24, 2013, also in Sacramento. Participants will learn how to build their knowledge through content-rich information; develop strategies for reading, writing, and speaking that are grounded in text evidence; and learn how to interpret and teach complex reading materials.
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