Teachers Get Schooled on Common Core Standards During In-Service Training

When students have a day off from school because of a teacher in-service day, some parents may wonder what the teachers are doing with the time that would go to teaching kids. Hopatcong Borough Schools Superintendent Cynthia Randina says teachers work hard on those days learning and reinforcing concepts to help faculty members focus on new strategies for educating youth.

The most recent in-service day was Monday, and Randina said the focus of the day was to give staff members a deeper understanding of the Common Core State Standards and the upcoming PARCC assessments. 

The Common Core Standards are designed to be robust and relevant to the real world, reflecting the knowledge and skills that young people need for success in college and careers," the superintendent said. "With American students fully prepared for the future, our communities will be best positioned to compete successfully in the global economy."

She said approximately 46 states have adopted the Common Core in an effort to meet the federal mandate of No Child Left Behind. Starting next year, the NJ ASK and the High School Performance Assessment state standardized tests will be replaced with the PARCC assessment in English Language Arts and Mathematics, which will test students’ level of the Common Core. 

On Monday, Dr. Mark G. Cacciatore, education program development specialist from the NJ Department of Education, Office of Literacy & Office of Academic Standards. facilitated a day-long workshop in the Hopatcong High School gymnasium to reinforce the Common Core curriculum for teachers in every aspect of teaching and learning.  

"Hopatcong is determined to not only prepare their teachers for the Common Core but make a district-wide initiative to help their students master the standards in every discipline and capacity," Randina said. "The big picture here is the district is committed to student achievement by having every staff member focus on the Common Core so that an improvement in state assessment scores will result."

She said the upcoming NJASK will test students’ knowledge of the Common Core and the PARCC assessment will test students’ knowledge of Common Core State Standards multiple times a year. Her major emphasis, the superintendent said, will be student achievement. She said improving students' academic results will come through thorough preparation for the instructional staff and 
its use of effective teaching strategies.