Although we were limited in the number of districts we could include in the grant, we're hoping to provide the training wherever there's an interest. Participating districts include Chatom, Denair, Empire, Hughson, Modesto City, Patterson, Riverbank, Salida, and Sylvan. According to Leslie McPeak, SCOE consultant who will coordinate the effort, the training will provide a complete tool box for teachers. So the issue is getting that training to teachers with ample support, resources, and accountability. McPeak said the training was developed from over 20 years of research out of the National Institute of Child Health and Development.
Accountability figures heavily into the training process.
The grant is requiring pre- and post testing of students to determine if they improve based on the training their teachers receive. McPeak applauds this move. There are three tiers in the training model. Recognizing the need for skills and literature development, the first tier involves providing teachers with the basics for reading instruction. The second tier groups teachers by grade clusters so they can begin to apply what they've learned within their grade level curriculum.