Putting the Standards Front and Center
Occidental College’s Putting the Standards Front and Center: An Infrastructure Project for Teacher Development provides program directors and lead instructors with multiple resources that can be used individually or collectively.
The materials present concepts simply, are reflected in instructional materials and video-clips of on-target practice, provide participant-centered activities that stimulate reflection and the use of tools to gauge on target practice, focus on the delivery and differentiation of model materials, and offer a modular approach that can be used to construct a variety of professional development experiences.
The materials include a model unit, lessons, and learning episodes that were created with funds from a Qatar Foundation International (QFI) grant and STARTALK to provide the resources necessary for teachers to learn to teach rather than create and teach.
(1) The Pre-Program Survey provides program directors with information that helps in the selection of participants and/or the differentiation of instruction.
(2) The Pedagogy Sessions feature STARTALK best practices, present concepts simply, provide participant-centered activities that stimulate reflection and tools to gauge on-target practice. Sessions may be used in a variety of professional development programs based on time, interests, and understanding of the principles and practices of standards-based instruction.