Best Practices for a Successful High School Classroom

(Grades 9-12) / Flex Course

PDI Course Number: 33T02 / UCSD Course Number: EDUC41580


Course Description

Are you a high school teacher interested in improving your instructional strategies and classroom management techniques? Do you struggle with student behavior and lack of motivation? This online course provides a variety of strategies for handling behavior issues in the classroom, including bullying, while finding successful ways to engage and motivate your students. To assist in this endeavor, strategies for improving differentiation by scaffolding for a variety of learning abilities including gifted students, English language learners, and students with special needs are explored. Additionally, the course provides solutions for common obstacles at the high school level, including engagement strategies, time management, and organizational skills. Throughout the course, teachers will find resources to use in the classroom, some for student management and others for instructional purposes to help meet the demanding high school learning standards. Teachers will also learn a variety of strategies for using technology to improve student learning and performance. Finally, teachers will gain ideas for making grading more manageable. By the end of this course, teachers will feel better prepared to successfully manage a high school classroom. This course is worth 3 ⅓ semester units/5 quarter units (50 hours of training) from University of California San Diego (UCSD) Division of Extended Studies. For detailed information on university credit, click here.

"I absolutely loved this course as it has been so valuable in helping me with real-world suggestions and handouts that I can take and use immediately." - Andrea Walker

Enrollment Options

Course Only

$112 with the discount

Course with Credit from UCSD

$284 with the discount

This course is worth 3 ⅓ semester units or 5 quarter units of graduate-level credit from UCSD.

You have up to one year from the date you are enrolled to complete a flex course.


Click here to view the course syllabus.

Print our customized course approval form to share with your school district.

UCSD Course Number: EDUC41580
Unit One
  • The Most Common Challenges in a High School Classroom
  • The Perfect High School Classroom
  • Learning Goals for a Successful High School Classroom
  • Assignment #1: Write an autobiography
  • Test #1
Unit Two
  • The Best Engagement Strategies for High School Students
  • Time Management and Organizational Strategies
  • Motivating Students for Success
  • Anti-Bullying Strategies at the High School Level
  • Assignment #2: Article reflection
  • Test #2
Unit Three
  • Differentiating Instruction for All Student
  • Serving English Language Learners
  • Serving Students with Special Needs
  • Assignment #3: Share your expertise
  • Test #3
Unit Four
  • Essential Standards and Learning Targets
  • Using PLC Formative Assessment with Intervention to Support Learning
  • Strategies for Summative Assessment for Student Comprehension
  • Test #4
Unit Five
  • Technology Resources for Teaching and Learning
  • Making the Most of Classroom Resources
  • Test #5
Unit Six
  • Making Grading More Manageable
  • Creating a Supportive Relationship with Parents
  • Resources for the Successful High School Classroom
  • Assignment #4: Develop a plan for using new strategies
  • Assignment #5: Course Reflection

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