PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Professional development is at the center of all education reform. Improving the quality of teachers in the classroom “does more to assist students who are educationally at-risk than any other policy-controllable issue” (Denson, 2001). Recognizing that not every school has certified reading teachers teaching reading and in an effort to assist schools in building school site capacity in the area of effective literacy instruction, the Comprehensive Reading Plan provides systematic and explicit professional development in literacy through several modes.  Additionally, the lowest performing schools are assigned a trained reading Curriculum Support Specialist (CSS) from the Division of Language Arts/Reading who provides weekly visitations as members of the District Assistance Teams (DAT).  The CSS utilizes the coaching model with teachers and also provides site-based professional development as needed. 

Professional Development Calendar

Critical Mass Training

Critical Mass Training is professional development that targets every teacher at a grade level or subject area. Critical Mass Training is intensive and focused on the specific targets of the grade level or subject area. Click here for grade specific descriptions.

Coaching Model

Administrator Training

Reading Leader/Reading Coach Training

Department Chair Training

Creating Independence Through Student-owned Strategies (Project CRISS)

            Best Practices for Literacy Instruction Training

Reading and Writing Standards Training