Online Courses for Teachers

Adopting High-Leverage Strategies to Engage Struggling Students

(Grades PreK-12) / Flex Course

PDI Course Number: 169T02 / UCSD Course Number: EDUC42647

Course Description

Do you find yourself constantly searching for ways to reach your struggling students? Whether these barriers to learning are academic, behavioral, or socioemotional, all students need access to quality, evidence-based, inclusive practices that are designed to yield high results. This online course for teachers takes a deep dive into a variety of high-leverage, evidence-based practices to support a variety of diverse learners. The course explores common challenges, including the root causes of academic difficulties. Next, teachers are taken through a step-by-step explanation of the high-leverage practices (HLP) framework, thoroughly exploring how each evidence-based instructional technique (EBPs) significantly impacts student outcomes. Then, teachers take a deep dive into the four main domains of the HLP framework and learn best practices to address each important core pillar, including (1) collaboration; (2) data-driven planning; (3) instruction in behavior and academics; and (4) intensify and intervene as needed. Teachers will explore several high-leverage Tier 1 practices, such as cooperative learning and active learning strategies, as well as investigate several Tier 2 and Tier 3 interventions within the multi-tiered systems of supports (MTSS), which provide additional support for struggling students. Teachers will also learn about differentiated instruction, helping them design effective differentiated lessons across content, process, and product, all within a real-world context. By the end of this continuing education course, teachers will feel more confident in their quest to harness the power of high-leverage, evidence-based best practices to anchor their own teaching practices as they strive to make learning more accessible, engaging, and effective for their students. This online professional development 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 receiving university credit for your PDI professional development course, visit our credit page.

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