Preparing Students for High School Equivalency Using the Common Core State Standards (HSE CCSS) Certificate Program
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Course Description
Since 2012, this certificate-bearing course has provided adult literacy and out-of-school youth educators with a detailed overview of the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) and their impact on High School Equivalency (HSE) instruction and assessment. The course combines in-person classes with asynchronous, online learning activities, and is appropriate for new and experienced HSE teachers and/or program managers who are interested in developing their knowledge of the new HSE standards and related instructional shifts. Course Objectives & Outcomes
The aim of HSE CCSS is to develop program leaders and instructors who are well versed in new instructional standards; new high school equivalency assessments and policy; and evidence-based instruction. HSE CCSS participants gain access to a growing cohort of educators with similar training and a library of instructional resources and lesson plans that are developed in collaboration with peers and facilitators. By the end of the course, participants join a community of professionals engaged in the work of maintaining and enhancing high standards of HSE program quality. Course outcomes include a teacher portfolio that consists of: three standards-aligned lesson plans; an informational essay describing the new learning standards and resulting shifts in HSE instruction and assessments; and an updated professional resume. What Certificate Holders Say About HSE CCSS “I would describe the program as a comprehensive, hands-on course that balances theory and practice in such a way that adult educators from novices to seasoned pros will come away with a wealth of useful information, new ideas, and new perspectives on HSE assessment. As a participant, I feel that the modules served to reinforce some ideas I held previously, but more importantly, many became catalysts for bursts of creative planning on my part. After the course, I revamped and/or discarded many of my older lessons in favor of ideas I had or was given during the course – my teaching practice was invigorated because I was no longer bored with the same lessons I had been teaching for years, which in turn has invigorated my classes." -Elena Pearson, HSE Coordinator, The Hetrick-Martin Institute “I found this course to be invaluable - not only in preparing me for the demands of the new test, but also giving me many important resources to expand my skills and knowledge base regarding the new technological, informational and procedural standards being tested. Recognizing the need to have a standardized approach to the new test helps me as a teacher immensely, and seeing an emerging community of teachers sharing these goals and practices greatly elevates my ability to succeed. This program enabled me to create a practical approach with relevant tools and support, and provided an important support community.” -Lisa Diomande, HSE Instructor, Harlem Y Literacy Zone Bring HSE CCSS to Your Program We are able to bring HSE CCSS to your program and to adjust it to your specific programmatic needs. Examples of our onsite, customized programming include:
Instructor Bios Cynthia Bell is the Numeracy & Youth Specialist at the Literacy Assistance Center, where she specializes in the College and Career Readiness standards for mathematics. Cynthia leads numeracy workshops for Adult Basic Education (ABE) & Out of School Youth instructors and trainings in implementing the standards for High School Equivalency (HSE) instructors. When she’s not training, she is coaching instructors in the best practices of teaching and learning mathematics. She has presented at international, national, state and regional conferences, and is an active board member of the Adult Numeracy Network (ANN) and affiliate delegate of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM). Throughout her career, Cynthia has taught both urban youth and adults, who are more inclined to fall into the achievement gap but still desire a post-secondary education, with the mindset that everyone can learn to think mathematically and build numeracy skills. Lizelena Iglesias is the ABE and HSE Specialist at the Literacy Assistance Center. She joined the LAC in 2015 with over eight years of experience designing and teaching HSE courses, and leading professional development for HSE teachers in a community-based organization. Currently, Lizelena provides training and sustained coaching for adult and youth educators in best practices in literacy and science instruction, and in the integration of science, social studies and literacy instruction with occupational content and skills. Lizelena developed and leads the science module of the LAC Academy HSE CCSS course; has developed science curricula for the Queens Public Library TASC Transition Curriculum project; and has conducted numerous trainings on the Spanish HSE and the Spanish TABE tests. To learn more about the HSE CCSS course, please contact Cynthia Bell at 212.803.3306/[email protected] or Lizelena Iglesias at 212.803.3307/[email protected]. |
Learn MorePlease fill out this form if you would like to receive information about future HSE CCSS courses as they are scheduled.
TestimonialsDigital LiteracyThe LAC Academy's online learning platform, Moodle, offers participants the opportunity to build on their digital literacy skills. Skills covered in Modules 1, 2, and 4 of this assessment are particularly important in an online learning environment. Each module begins with very basic tasks, but stick with it, they get more challenging! Assess your Digital Literacy skills here
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