Professional Development

Anne Silavs, Director of Instruction

2009-2010 Professional Development Calendar - updated

The number one goal of professional development is to support high-quality teaching in order to increase the academic achievement of all students. The focus of the professional development program in Ocean View is to support powerful teaching and learning via a three-tiered instructional model.

In order to appropriately support students at every instructional level, professional development is afforded to District teachers in a variety of areas.

• Gifted and advanced level students are supported through teacher education in differentiated instruction, depth, and complexity. On-going training is provided through the University of California, Irvine for GATE magnet, GATE cluster, and Honors program teachers.
• Student achievement in algebra is supported through the Developing Communities of Mathematical Inquiry (DCMI) project. Seventh and eighth grade math teachers participate in a local area collaborative sponsored in part by the Orange County Department of Education. The primary outcome of the DCMI grant is to develop algebraic thinking skills necessary for successful completion of algebra in eighth grade.
• The Collaboration for Excellence in Middle School Science (CEMSS) project is a partnership that includes seven school districts as well as Chapman University., Cal State - Fullerton, and the Orange County Dept. of Education. The ultimate goal of CEMSS is to increase teacher efficacy, improve the quality of  science education, and close the achievement gap for all middle school students, particularly those who are English learners. Seventh and eighth grade science teachers participate in professional development activities in pursuit of these objectives.
• Student achievement and the development of 21st century skills are cultivated through the integration of SMART Boards and other educational technology within the core curriculum. An extensive professional development program in educational technology facilitates these goals and makes learning more meaningful for students.
• The recent District award of a second Enhancing Education through Technology (E2T2) grant supports Virtual Instruction for Science Achievement (VISA). Professional development activities are designed to increase the integration of educational technology at fourth and fifth grades as a means of supporting student achievement in science.
• Student communication skills are developed and honed using Step Up to Writing as an instruction method for improving writing. Training in these effective strategies is provided to teachers in grades 3 through 8.
• English learners receive instructional support in English Language Development (ELD) via English Now and the High Point program. Project G.L.A.D. (Guided Language Acquisition Design), AB2913 – the Alternative CLAD Certification Program, and AB472 – the English Language Learners Professional Development Program are offered to elementary, ELD, and content area teachers who serve English learners.
• Struggling readers, including those receiving Special Education services, are supported through the Effective Reading Intervention Academy (ERIA), which is sponsored by CalSTAT, a special project of the California Department of Education. ERIA supports teacher training in the implementation of research-proven strategic level interventions to strengthen student literacy skills. Instructional programs featured in ERIA include Phonics for Reading, REWARDS, Read Naturally, Six Minute Solution, and Skills for School Success.
• Special Education and at-risk students requiring intensive level reading intervention are served in the Language! (3rd Edition) program. Teachers administering Language! are provided with five full days of training and professional development to ensure program fidelity and effective program implementation.
• A data-driven, standards-based instructional program promotes exceptional levels of student achievement. In support of a data-driven program, District teachers are trained in the use of Data Director, a student assessment management tool designed to guide instructional decision-making and support student progress-monitoring throughout the year.