K-12 educators will find a structured, evidence-driven approach to Professional Learning Communities (PLCs), offering powerful tools and facilitation techniques to enhance both teaching and professional growth. Unlike typical approaches to data teams, the VITAL (Visibly Improving Teaching and Learning) Collaboration model uses concrete evidence…

This module examines Focus and Coherence, two of the three shifts required for implementation of the Common Core State Standards for Mathematics (CCSSM). Focus and Coherence are the two major design principles of the math standards. The module assumes prior knowledge of the information presented in Module 1. Course Objectives: By the end of the…

"The Common Core Companion: The Standards Decoded", by Jim Burke, provides schools, districts, and departments with a common language or set of reference points for effective school-wide implementation of the Common Core State Standards. The book--available in middle and high school editions--clarifies what each standard says, what each…

Based on the original source document for the Common Core State Standards and tested by 1,000 educators in diverse classrooms across the country, these research-based tools will help readers examine their current practices and adapt existing curriculum. Each of the 40 tools is clearly presented, explained, and exemplified, guiding educators…

The Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) are composed of three intertwined dimensions--disciplinary core ideas, science and engineering practices, and crosscutting concepts--that provide a foundation for what students should know and be able to do at various grade levels. The eight science practices outlined in the NGSS are critical components…

Help students meet today's literacy demands with this new book from Terry Roberts and Laura Billings. The authors show how a seminar approach can lead students deeper into a text and improve their speaking, listening, and writing skills, as recommended by the Common Core State Standards. Roberts and Billings provide easy-to-follow information on…

In the summer of 2012, thousands of teachers across the United States attended several days of professional development workshops. The workshops, which focused on the Common Core State Standards, were part of a Tennessee Department of Education initiative in teacher leadership. The department recruited and trained 200 highly-effective teachers to…

This resource is part of a series produced by the Center for Standards and Assessment Implementation (CSAI) to assist educators as they use College and Career Ready Standards (CCRS) to plan instruction for diverse learners. Although the processes described in this resource use the Common Core State Standards (CCSS; National Governors Association…

This resource is part of a series produced by the Center for Standards and Assessment Implementation (CSAI) to assist teachers and those who support teachers to plan teaching and learning from College and Career Ready Standards (CCRS) for all students, including students with disabilities, English learners, academically at-risk students, students…

This technical guide to the South Dakota Mathematics Standards serves as a critical model for educators and school districts in effectively implementing the standards. This guide features the goals, indicators, benchmarks, and grade level standards for South Dakota. It is organized by grade level clusters according to benchmark levels K-2, 3-5,…

Classrooms across the country are discovering the power of service-learning--the ideal way to help students develop social and academic skills while giving back to their community. Now for the first time, there's a practical how-to guide on using serving-learning to promote inclusion and differentiate instruction for students with and without…

This document, intended to assist Australia's national industry training advisory bodies, is a practical guide to developing English language, literacy, and numeracy inclusive national training packages. The guide is divided into three sections devoted to the following topics: (1) context (literacy in the workplace, literacy in training, literacy…

Mathematics and science standards were created in response to concern throughout the United States about the performance of students in these areas and the demands of an increasingly scientific and technological world. Educators and community leaders recognize that students will need more mathematical and scientific knowledge both in their jobs…

When a one-class-at-a-time approach can't address a pervasive discipline problem, you need this book to implement a schoolwide solution. In this follow-up to "The Educator's Guide to Preventing and Solving Discipline Problems", the authors provide you with a research-based model to help your school: (1) Build positive relationships with students;…

This handbook aims to assist Colorado school districts as they implement Colorado's Basic Literacy Act of 1996. Suggestions in the handbook are grounded in research and aimed towards one goal: to ensure that all Colorado students are reading well. The handbook notes that the act makes three promises: Colorado educators will work in partnership…