Professional Development | News

Vermont Creates Statewide Professional Learning Network for Common Core Implementation

• By Leila Meyer
• 03/13/14

The Vermont Agency of Education has created the Vermont Professional Learning Network to help educators throughout the state implement Common Core State Standards.

The Vermont PLN is designed to provide educators throughout the entire state with equitable access to virtual and in-person professional learning opportunities, including video learning modules, regional meetings, webinars, online courses and a blog. The PLN is also developing a library of articles and classroom examples that will be available on the site.

Topics being covered through PLN courses and learning modules include:

• Mathematical modeling for secondary teachers;
• Linking vocabulary to deeper understanding within the English language arts CCSS;
• Supervision and evaluation with the Common Core and 21st century teaching in mind;
• Building systems, structures and strategies to bring the CCSS to routine practice in every classroom; and
• Assessment design.

"The PLN sessions are integral and critical components of our professional development plan for implementing the Common Core State Standards," said Paul Smith, curriculum director of Windham Southeast Supervisory Union, in a prepared statement. "Teachers and administrators are coming back from sessions with good information and solid plans for making the new standards part of daily instruction."

The PLN blog includes articles with tips for implementing CCSS and discussion of CCSS-related issues, and it recently featured an address from the state secretary of education, detailing issues facing Vermont schools.

The Vermont PLN is a collaborative partnership between the Vermont Agency of Education and three other organizations: the Champlain Valley Educator Development Center, Lamoille Area Professional Development Academy and Southeast Vermont Learning Collaborative.

Further information about the Vermont Professional Learning Network can be found on the organization's site.