Foundational Framework: Effective Classroom Strategies: Spring Semester - EDC-X716Y

Course Description

Credit Validation for Your Classroom Academy Participants Only

This spring semester, Your Classroom Academy continues to empower educators with essential skills to create engaging, student-centered classrooms. Through practical, research-based strategies, teachers will learn to foster collaboration, deepen student comprehension, and maintain a strong classroom community.

We will revisit the importance of community by offering fresh strategies to strengthen positive relationships with students as the school year progresses. Educators will explore techniques designed to support student comprehension and critical thinking during reading. This includes a focus on the Three-Read Technique and other active reading strategies that help students process complex texts, identify key ideas, and connect their learning to broader contexts.

Participants will also delve into collaborative structures such as Jigsaw and One-Pagers, which enable students to synthesize and share their learning in meaningful ways. These strategies promote ownership of learning, enhance peer-to-peer engagement, and support diverse learners.

Learner Outcomes

• Develop proficiency in implementing nearly 15 research-based classroom strategies designed to enhance rigor, engagement, and student outcomes
• Assess the effectiveness of strategies in your classroom through guided reflections, deepening your ability to adapt and refine your teaching practices
• Explore how foundational strategies improve specific student skills, such as critical thinking, collaboration, and problem-solving
• Discover effective collaborative structures that encourage critical thinking and student ownership of learning
• Utilize tools to make reading more engaging and accessible for all learners

Course Details

Number of Units: 2.0 graduate level extension credit(s) in semester hours

Who Should Attend: This course provides continuing education for Your Classroom Academy Participants.

University of San Diego – Graduate-Level Extension Credit Information

The University of San Diego partners with this program to offer graduate-level extension credit(s) in semester hours through the Credit Validation Program. To earn units, participants must register for and successfully complete coursework through the external program provider.

Credits earned through USD’s Credit Validation Program are widely accepted by many school districts and universities across the United States for purposes such as license renewal, required professional development hours, short-term skill building, salary advancement, credentialing, and potential advanced degree pathways.

These units do not apply toward a master’s or higher degree program at the University of San Diego; however, they may be transferable to advanced degree programs (e.g., MA, EdD, PhD) at other institutions that accept external graduate-level credits.

Participants are responsible for confirming acceptance, transcript requirements, deadlines, and applicability of units with their employing district or intended institution prior to enrollment.

Directions to Enroll for Credit 

1. Enroll in this course:

• Home Page: Your Classroom Academy
• Spring Semester Enrollment: Teachers who wish to participate in the program for the remainder of the school year may purchase access through the link: Your Classroom Academy Store - Ready to get to work?
• Contact for more course information: erica.levich@gmail.com

Please Note: USD does not provide course materials, manage instruction, or assign grades. All coursework is evaluated by the program’s instructor or coordinator.

2. Click “Add to Cart” located on the right of this page to purchase units. If this course displays “Request Information,” it means the course is either not yet open for enrollment or has already closed for enrollment.

Transcript Process: Final grades submitted by the program provider will initiate the transcript process. Grades should be submitted within 7 days of the official course end date or the course enrollment deadline—whichever comes last. Participants are responsible for ensuring their mailing address is accurate and up to date in their USD student account to avoid delays in transcript delivery.

Transcript Delivery Timeline:

• U.S. addresses: 2–3 weeks
• International addresses: 3–4 weeks

For detailed information regarding the University of San Diego Credit Validation Program, please consult our Participant Guide.

Applies Towards the Following Certificate(s), Professional Programs and Series

• Online Credit Validation Courses for Educators : Courses - Choose One or More