K12 Inc. Releases New Reports on Improving Instruction and Teacher Effectiveness
Two reports latest in a series of academic white papers published by leading online learning provider
Two reports latest in a series of academic white papers published by leading online learning provider
HERNDON, Va., Nov. 5, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Two new reports were released today on how K12 Inc. is implementing new programs to boost teacher effectiveness and improve student academic achievement through a concentrated focus on Data-Driven Instruction (DDI).
Authored by a team of K12 educators, including Chief Academic Officer Dr. Margaret Jorgensen, the reports provide insight into academic initiatives launched as part of K12's company-wide Students First initiative. They are the latest in a series of K12-published reports highlighting academics, instruction, and individual school performance. K12's academic reports, white papers, and other success stories can be found at success.K12.com.
Drawing on numerous testimonials from teachers and school leaders at K12-partner schools, the first report, "Data-Driven Instruction in the K12 Virtual Learning Environment," illustrates how the implementation of DDI is reshaping the instructional culture in many K12-partner schools. By continuously collecting and analyzing academic data, teachers are able to refine and improve instruction to focus more effectively on each individual student. K12's Learning Management System provides educators innovative tools for automated collecting and reporting of student performance data, and offers new opportunities to efficiently apply DDI.
Teachers in K12-partner schools participated in training on principles and practices of DDI, guided in part by Paul Bambrick-Santoyo's Driven by Data: A Practical Guide to Improve Instruction. The report also describes how DDI builds ties between the school and families by strengthening the partnership between learning coach and teacher – an important ingredient for success in a full-time online school model.
The second report, "Teachers Matter at K12 Inc.: New Efforts to Improve Teacher Effectiveness," highlights the recent investments made by K12 to strengthen and support teachers and help them become even more effective educators.
K12 Inc., which serves the largest network of K-12 online school teachers in the U.S., has created new jobs and opportunities for thousands of teachers. In 2015, K12 launched a teacher effectiveness program to attract highly skilled teachers, prepare them to succeed in an online learning environment, and support them through ongoing coaching and professional development. The program focuses on specific methods, policies, practices, tools, and competencies aimed at helping teachers grow and succeed.
The report details how K12 has increased its capacity to support new and returning teachers. Teachers with a proven record of success in a virtual learning environment have been chosen as Instructional Coaches to improve the effectiveness of both new and returning colleagues through frequent observations and feedback. In addition, all new teachers are assigned a Mentor Teacher, an experienced colleague to provide guidance and support in meeting goals for performance and student achievement.
"We have a great team of teachers at K12, and we value their hard work, passion, and dedication," said Dr. Jorgensen. "Teachers are critical to improving student outcomes. The investments made by K12 and the new academic initiatives we launched demonstrate our company's total commitment to improving instruction, helping teachers succeed, and raising achievement for all students."
About K12 Inc.
K12 Inc. (NYSE: LRN) is driving innovation and advancing the quality of education by delivering state-of-the-art, digital learning platforms and technology to students and school districts across the globe. With nearly a half-billion dollars invested in developing award winning curriculum, K12 serves over 2,000 schools and school districts and has delivered more than four million courses over the past decade. K12 is a company of educators with the nation's largest network of K-12 online school teachers, providing instruction, academic services, and learning solutions to public schools and districts, traditional classrooms, blended school programs, and directly to families. For more on K12 Inc., visit www.K12.com
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SOURCE K12 Inc.
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