Pain Points Related to Teacher Practice

 

Common Core State Standards:

• Schools are feeling the pressure of implementing common core and are beginning to recognize they need to teach differently if they want to meet the standards.

Dropout rate:

• The dropout rate has remained steady. Hispanic and African-American students make up the bulk of dropouts.

• According to a variety of government and watchdog sources, approximately 7000 students drop out of school every day. That translates into "nearly 12 million students (who) will likely drop out over the next decade, resulting in a loss to the nation of $1.5 trillion."

Inclusion

• Legislation in the US requires schools, under the Least Restrictive Environment requirement from the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, to accommodate and include, where possible, students with disabilities in the regular classroom.

• Schools recognize their moral obligation to ensure “learning for all” and to welcome and include everyone

Technology Integration

• With the release of the National Education Technology Plan in 2010 the pressure to use technology in purposeful ways to improve student learning increased

• The plan explicitly outlines the inclusion of Universal Design for Learning principles as fundamental to the implementation of technology, personalized learning and student success.

 

Pain Points Related to Professional Development

 

Accountability

• Schools and Districts are held accountable for the money spent on professional development

• Most PD happens with very little evidence demonstrated improved teacher skills or improved student learning

• The federal government gives local districts more than a billion dollars a year for the professional development of teachers. But there’s little accountability for how the money is spent and whether it’s improving teaching and learning.

Cost

• Districts are looking for ways to decrease the cost of PD through online and blended learning models

Sustainable Professional Growth

• Districts are struggling to move beyond traditional PD models that fail to engage teachers or change practice

• Districts are struggling to create and maintain active communities of practice and social media (as PLNs)

Ineffective PD

• There is resistance to PD that is over prescribed, often treats teachers like students

• Disticts recognize they need to break away from PD as an event or training 

 

Pain Points Related to Technology Implementation

 

Assistive/Inclusive Technology

• Districts looking to implement UDL also need professional development support for teachers to learn how to use various technology tools - both ICT and AT - that the district owns

Devices and Apps

• Districts who have purchased iPads and Android tablets are looking for hands on, integrated professional develop to support their use in the classroom

• District recognize PD focused on "iPad 101" will not bring the results they need

Google Apps

• Many districts and even states have adopted Google Apps for Education. Districts are looking for support to help teachers use the technology for their own professional practice and as instructional tools.