The agenda for the California Senate hearing “On the Brink: UC’s Role in Research and Implementation of the Common Core and Next-Generation Science Standards”
Dean Jane Close Conoley of UC Santa Barbara’s Gevirtz School prepared opening remarks and Director of UC Santa Barbara’s Teacher Education Program Tine Sloan was a presenter at a legislative briefing recently held in Sacramento. Sponsored by Senator Carol Liu, the event was titled “On the Brink: UC’s Role in Research and Implementation of the Common Core and Next-Generation Science Standards.” It also featured Deborah Vandell, Dean of the School of Education at UC Irvine, Harold Levine, Dean of the School of Education at UC Davis, Jody Priselac, Associate Dean of the Graduate School of Education & Information Sciences at UCLA, and Ruben Reyes, Superintendent of Robla Elementary School District in Sacramento.
UC educator preparation leaders have helped to develop the new Common Core State Standards, Next Generation Science Standards and English Language Development Standards and now are incorporating these new standards into their curriculum. By presenting challenging content in a more logical sequence and encouraging deep and meaningful learning for all students, the new standards represent a watershed moment in California education, and a sustained effort by our faculty, staff, teacher candidates and community partners is necessary to implement them fully and equitably.
UC Educator Preparation programs are integrating the new standards in four major ways: through alignment with coursework and fieldwork; through professional development opportunities; by integrating technology; and by faculty learning.
“California’s teachers and students are working towards fundamental changes in the way we experience education,” says Tine Sloan, director of the Teacher Education Program at UC Santa Barbara. “UC is making significant contributions within our educator-leader preparation and ongoing professional development programs. UC has very high quality educator preparation programs, but our mission in this area goes beyond the preparation of excellent teachers and educational leaders. We also research model programs, mentor doctoral candidates into the work of teacher education, and inform policy and practice. This event served to make our work more public, and engage our stakeholders in dialogue on the knowledge, research foci, and high quality educator preparation work that’s needed in California. It was a great success and we plan to do more.”