SAN JOSE, CA – An essential question facing educators today is how can the capacities of young people be developed for them to become innovative problem solvers? Both local and national educational leaders will be at the Santa Clara County Office of Education (SCCOE) on Feb. 2 and 3 to learn strategies and tools to more effectively integrate creative problem solving into instruction and assessment in English Language Arts, Science, and Mathematics.
These Professional Learning Days are part of the countywide professional development partnership with EdLeader21 designed to deepen understanding of why the 4cs (Critical thinking, Communication, Collaboration, and Creativity) are important, how to use various tools provided by EdLeader21, and explore opportunities to collaborate with the SCCOE on 4Cs work.
In August of 2015, the SCCOE created a first-of-its-kind partnership with EdLeader21 that provided for the SCCOE and every school district in the county to be members of this online professional learning community.
"The purpose of the trainings is to continue our work in understanding the role that critical thinking plays in the process of creativity and innovation, and to design student work that integrates creative problem solving," said Jon R. Gundry, Santa Clara County Superintendent of Schools.
Thursday offers a special session for educational leaders in the county. Friday's session is the organization's West Coast Professional Learning Day, one of three similar events held across the nation this year.
"We are glad to have the opportunity for our local districts to dialogue with SCCOE and EdLeader21 staff on what collaboration opportunities and support might look like in our region," Mr. Gundry said. "We look forward to supporting our districts in the important work of preparing students for college, career, and life."
EdLeader21 is a national online network of school and district leaders focused on integrating the 4Cs into education. Membership allows educators to have access to established and well-vetted best practices to integrate the 4Cs; keep up-to-date with important news, insights, trends, case studies, and practical advice about 21st-century district initiatives; network with and learn from like-minded education leaders across the country; and work with the nation's pre-eminent 21st-Century education experts. EdLeader21 currently has 186 school and district members, which support millions of students in the U.S. and internationally.
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