NMSI Emphasizes the "How" of Common Core State Standards Implementation

Cost-effective teacher training, Common Core-aligned materials, and PARCC ELCs contribute to success of educators involved in LTF Training

DALLAS, July 24, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Results-driven teacher training is now more important than ever as educators seek out Common Core State Standards implementation strategies that pay off both in student achievement and in fiscal returns. It is time for professional development to shift from covering what the standards include to covering best practices for how educators can teach within a Common Core environment.

The National Math and Science Initiative (NMSI) has positioned itself as a leader already meeting the demand for quality Common Core-focused professional development for educators. Through its teacher training arm Laying the Foundation (LTF), NMSI provides cost-effective teacher training and Common Core-aligned materials. The organization also leads the Educator Leader Cadres for PARCC, the 24-state consortium tasked with developing a common set of K-12 English/language arts/literacy and mathematics assessments that are aligned to the Common Core State Standards. By these efforts, NMSI helps teachers and administrators move beyond the "what" of Common Core and onto the "how."

Cost-effective teacher training and Common Core-aligned materials
One of the primary components of NMSI's research-based LTF program is teacher training and online Common Core-aligned materials for middle school and high school math, science, and English teachers. Districts that invest in LTF Training for their teachers are not only adding value to their teacher corps and statewide academic status – they are also experiencing substantial cost savings opportunities.

According to the recent report "Putting a Price Tag on the Common Core: How Much Will Smart Implementation Cost" by Patrick Murphy and Elliot Regenstein, the average cost of professional development for a blended learning program utilizing a peer-to-peer training model like LTF does is $560. Although this figure is similar to the cost of training at an LTF Institute, the difference is that LTF Training is comprehensive, including Common Core implementation training and resources as well as the content and pedagogical instruction that provide the basis for using the standards successfully in the classroom.

PARCC Educator Leader Cadres
PARCC has allocated $4.3 million to NMSI to host face-to-face meetings and webinars for the 600 state educational representatives who are part of the Educator Leader Cadres (ELCs). The members of this community of practice develop expertise on the new standards and direct implementation of the Common Core State Standards in their respective states. NMSI also facilitates an open-source learning management system to host online training and lessons that will be open to all teachers and students in PARCC consortium states.

For more information about LTF Training or the PARCC ELC, visit www.ltftraining.org. 

About NMSI:  NMSI is an agent of change launched in 2007 by leaders in business, education and science to improve student achievement in math and science across the American public school system. NMSI brings best practices to the education sector by replicating programs on a national scale that have more than 10 years of positive results. These proven programs include the Advanced Placement Training and Incentive Program (APTIP), which equips high school students to succeed in AP math, science, and English courses; the UTeach program to train math and science majors in universities to become teachers, and Laying the Foundation, which provides comprehensive teacher training for middle school and high school students to succeed in Pre-AP and AP math, science, and English courses.

Contact:
Kaci Schack, NMSI Marketing Coordinator
(214) 525-3009, [email protected]

SOURCE National Math and Science Initiative