PProgram Standard 5: Pedagogy

Participating teachers grow and improve in their ability to reflect upon and apply the California Standards for the Teaching Profession and the specific pedagogical skills for subject matter instruction beyond what was demonstrated for the preliminary credential. They utilize the adopted academic content standards and performance levels for students, curriculum frameworks, and instructional materials in the context of their teaching assignment.

Participating teachers use and interpret student assessment data from multiple measures for entry level, progress monitoring, and summative assessments of student academic performance to inform instruction. They plan and differentiate instruction using multi-tiered interventions as appropriate based on the assessed individual, academic language and literacy, and diverse learning needs of the full range of learners (e.g. struggling readers, students with special needs, English learners, speakers of non-standard English, and advanced learners).

To maximize learning, participating teachers create and maintain well-managed classrooms that foster students’ physical, cognitive, emotional and social well-being. They develop safe, inclusive, and healthy learning environments that promote respect, value differences, and mediate conflicts according to state laws and local protocol.

Participating teachers are fluent, critical users of technological resources and use available technology to assess, plan, and deliver instruction so all students can learn. Participating teachers enable students to use technology to advance their learning. Local district technology policies are followed by participating teachers when implementing strategies to maximize student learning and awareness around privacy, security, and safety.

Program Standard 6: Universal Access: Equity for all Students

Participating teachers protect and support all students by designing and implementing equitable and inclusive learning environments. They maximize academic achievement for students from all ethnic, race, socio-economic, cultural, academic, and linguistic or family background; gender, gender identity, and sexual orientation; students with disabilities and advanced learners; and students with a combination of special instructional needs.

When planning and delivering instruction, participating teachers examine and strive to minimize bias in classrooms, schools and larger educational systems while using culturally responsive pedagogical practices.

Participating teachers use a variety of resources (including technology-related tools, interpreters, etc.) to collaborate and communicate with students, colleagues, resource personnel and families to provide the full range of learners equitable access to the state-adopted academic content standards.

a) Teaching English Learners

To ensure academic achievement and language proficiency for English Learners, participating teachers adhere to legal and ethical obligations for teaching English Learners including the identification, referral and re-designation processes. Participating teachers implement district policies regarding primary language support services for students. Participating teachers plan instruction for English Learners based on the students’ levels of proficiency and literacy in English and primary language as assessed by multiple measures such as the California English Language Development Test (CELDT), the California Standards Test (CST), and local assessments.

Based on teaching assignment and the adopted language program instructional model(s), participating teachers implement one or more of the components of English Language Development (ELD): grade-level academic language instruction, ELD by proficiency level, and/or content-based ELD.

Participating teachers instruct English learners using adopted standards-aligned instructional materials. Participating teachers differentiate instruction based upon their students’ primary language and proficiency levels in English considering the students’ culture, level of acculturation, and prior schooling.

b) Teaching Special Populations

To ensure academic achievement for special populations, participating teachers adhere to their legal and ethical obligations relative to the full range of special populations (students identified for special education, students with disabilities, advanced learners and students with a combination of special instructional needs) including the identification and referral process of students for special services. Participating teachers implement district policies regarding support services for special populations. Participating teachers communicate and collaborate with special services personnel to ensure that instruction and support services for special populations are provided according to the students’ assessed levels of academic, behavioral and social needs.

Based on assessed student needs, participating teachers provide accommodations and implement modifications. Participating teachers recognize student strengths and needs, use positive behavioral support strategies, and employ a strengths-based approach to meet the needs of all students, including the full range of special populations.

Participating teachers instruct special populations using adopted standards-aligned instructional materials and resources (e.g., varying curriculum depth and complexity, managing paraeducators, using assistive and other technologies).