PETERBOROUGH, N.H., Nov. 1, 2012 /PRNewswire/ — As K-12 educators across the country brace for the onset of the new, tough Common Core State Standards (CCSS), a New Hampshire company offers both help and hope.
Staff Development for Educators (SDE) is already in the process of preparing schools in several states to adapt their curricula and instruction to the more rigorous demands of the new standards, which are set to take effect in 2014.
"We've been closely following the evolution of the Common Core State Standards, with an eye toward helping K-12 educators interpret and implement the changes," said SDE president Terra Tarango. "The new standards represent a significant shift for both teachers and administrators. We offer them the competence, confidence, and skills to make a smooth and successful transition."
In an age when both employers and colleges are demanding more of high school graduates, the CCSS describe the knowledge and skills in English Language Arts and Mathematics that students will need to be college or career ready when they graduate. Based on the best national and international standards, the CCSS are designed to be robust and relevant to the real world in order to give American students a competitive advantage in the global economy.
According to Kate Maggs, SDE's program planning manager, "A lot of educators are either overwhelmed by the prospect of brand-new standards or afraid of being overwhelmed by them. We show them that they do not have to recreate the wheel. We give them practical strategies for adjusting what they already do, which makes accommodating the new standards doable, embraceable, and even exciting."
Earlier this month, SDE announced dates and locations for CCSS-specific professional development conferences and seminars. Maggs emphasized that SDE goes well beyond a thorough treatment of the English Language Arts and Mathematics standards to include best practices surrounding the CCSS, 21st century skills, technology, project-based learning, lesson planning, assessment, at-risk and struggling students, and a lot more.
About SDE
SDE is one of America's leading providers of professional development for PreK through Grade 12 educators. Through Onsite PD, PD Events, Web-based PD, and PD Resources, the company empowers teachers and administrators across the country with ongoing professional development that is not only research-based, innovative, and rigorous, but also practical, motivating, and fun. All SDE training is presented by the nation's top authors and educational experts, with the goal of creating extraordinary classrooms that prepare students for the evolving demands of the 21st century.
For more information about SDE, educators are encouraged to visit SDE's website, or to call 1-800-462-1478.