Staff Development
Motivated and knowledgeable teachers inspire students to succeed. Supporting teacher success in all 23 local districts in Riverside County through professional development is a major priority for RCOE’s Educational Services Division. RCOE offers more than 500 educational training events every year for more than 17,000 educators. These events are primarily focused on the following areas: literacy and reading instruction, support for beginning teachers, strategies teaching math and science, and effective assessment practices and use of data to enhance effectiveness of instructional strategies. Riverside County Achievement Team (RCAT) services are offered to individual districts and schools for the purpose of providing assistance in identifying and meeting student achievement targets. Extensive training is provided for teachers and administrators working with language minority students.
The Regional School Improvement Unit provides services to districts focused in four major areas all of which focus on improving student achievement:
- Professional development for teachers, administrators, and district systems to improve curriculum instruction and assessment for English Learners;
- Technical assistance and professional development to schools and districts identified as program improvement and ongoing district support including District Assistance and Intervention Teams (DAIT);
- Support and guidance in promoting improved family involvement;
- Technical assistance to schools identified as Quality Education Investment Act (QEIA) schools.
The RCAT Leadership Center provides expertise in leadership development, shaping school culture, supervision and evaluation, systems thinking, and other services and professional development focused on the training of instructional leaders. RCOE also supports curriculum for GATE (Gifted and Talented Education) programs, school libraries, educational technology through CTAP (California Technology Assistance Project), AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination), environmental education, and College Board workshops.
The Teacher Support Center works with more than 5,000 teachers. The center includes the RIMS Beginning Teacher Support Program, Intern Program; RIMS Pre-Intern Program; Accelerated Subject Matter Acquistion Program; the RAPPORT Program; and Copernicus Program. These programs represent the new credentialing process within the state of California. The program is the largest in the state.