Groundbreaking Partnership Formed Between USC Rossier School of Education and Professional Development Provider Knowledge Delivery Systems

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'This program is a revolutionary joint effort to deliver an innovative, effective transformation in teaching practice, at scale, leveraging technology.' --Alvin Crawford, KDS CEO

New York, NY (PRWEB) May 08, 2014

The Rossier School of Education at the University of Southern California has announced a first-of-its-kind partnership with Knowledge Delivery Systems, Inc. (KDS), a renowned provider of strategic professional learning solutions for states and school districts, to offer teachers online and blended professional development. The program will launch in fall, 2014.

The collaboration marks the first time a top research-focused School of Education has partnered with a professional development company for online/blended products. KDS and Rossier will contract with school districts around the country to provide their teachers with a Rossier-designed program to enhance their knowledge in the content and pedagogical practices that support diverse student populations.

The first four courses focus on diversity as an asset in a classroom environment where all individuals can develop their best selves. The courses include: relationally-responsive classroom management, responding to individual differences, facilitating learning for non-standard English learners, and pedagogical practices for English learners.

The courses in the program follow KDS’ blended delivery approach that is backed by research showing that effective professional development requires at least 50 hours of professional learning including coaching, modeling, practice and feedback. The high-quality and engaging learning is grounded in effective teacher practice including interviews, experts in action, model lessons, and real classroom footage. Courses will be delivered via the KDS-designed online platform which provides a rich 24/7 learning community.

Teachers who complete all four courses in the program will be awarded a Certificate of Competency from USC.

The courses have been developed by prominent Rossier faculty members whose areas of expertise include English language learners, gifted learners, and underserved students. The curriculum and delivery model are specifically geared for working K-12 teachers who need the flexibility it provides for their busy lives.

USC is the first university partnership of its kind that KDS has formed in its 15 years of business. The USC Rossier School has established a worldwide reputation for innovative uses of technology that make many of its rigorous Masters and Doctoral degree programs available to graduate students around the globe.

“Closing the achievement gap requires that every student has a high-quality teacher, every year, in every class who is trained and motivated to educate today’s classrooms of diverse learners,” said Alvin Crawford, Chief Executive Officer of KDS. “This program is a revolutionary joint effort to deliver an innovative, effective transformation in teaching practice, at scale, leveraging technology. We are proud to partner with such a respected institution as USC Rossier to address this opportunity for lasting change.”

“The mission of the Rossier School is to improve learning in urban education locally, nationally and globally,” said Rossier Dean Karen Symms Gallagher. “This partnership will be yet another example of expanding our reach to meet that mission.”

About USC Rossier School of Education
The USC Rossier School of Education (ross-EAR) leads the way in innovative, collaborative solutions to improve education outcomes. Our work is field-based, in the classroom, and online, and reflects a diversity of perspectives and experiences. We pride ourselves on innovation in all our programs, preparing teachers, administrators, and educational leaders who are change agents. We support the most forward-thinking scholars and researchers, whose work is having direct impact on student success in K-12 schools and higher education. We are leaders in using cutting-edge technology to scale up our quality programs for maximum impact. The Rossier School of Education is part of The University of Southern California, one of the world's leading private research universities, located in the heart of Los Angeles. (rossier.usc.edu)

About Knowledge Delivery Systems
Knowledge Delivery Systems (KDS) is the leading provider of research-based, blended-model strategic professional development solutions for districts, schools, and teachers. KDS’ mission is to help school districts and states transform professional development to dramatically improve teacher effectiveness and raise student achievement. KDS solutions systematically build district-wide capacity to address their most important challenges - closing the achievement gap, Common Core instruction and assessments, cultural competency, diverse learners and differentiation, coaching and instructional leadership, and 1-to-1 classrooms. KDS online courses are developed by the nation’s leading education experts and researchers and are delivered on the KDS Professional Learning Platform (PLP). The PLP leverages the effectiveness of learning communities to provide the latest collaborative and virtual learning tools and personalized learning experiences to make educator learning engaging, convenient and social. (kdsi.org)

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