As common core deadline looms, teacher training becomes major hurdle
As common core deadline looms, teacher training becomes major hurdle
By Tom Chorneau
Monday, March 04, 2013
Most of the effort over the past two years aimed at preparing schools for the new common core curriculum has focused on developing instructional materials and assessments tied to the new standards.
Now, as lawmakers consider a plan that calls for making the switch formal by the 2014-15 school year, there’s growing concern that the state’s 300,000 teachers may not be ready to instruct on the new content goals or oversee the new computer-based testing.
The response by districts to provide teacher training has varied widely so far and there’s little empirical data on how big a problem common core poses to teachers. There are some in Sacramento who are advocating that the state simply forge ahead and work with weaker districts as the need arises.
But as negotiations over next year’s state budget heat up, a number of school advocates are pressing the Legislature and the Brown administration for specific, one-time money to train and support teachers in the common core even