Making the Common Core Standards Work: Using Professional Development to Build World-Class Schools

Essential reading for school leaders!

With the Common Core State Standards adopted by the vast majority of U.S. states, educators face the challenge of translating the standards into successful, positive change within schools. Written for school leaders, this practical guide offers a blueprint for implementing and exceeding the new standards using very targeted professional development.

Readers will find realistic strategies supported by examples from a diverse range of schools. Topics include

• Empowering teachers and staff as partners in planning for and implementing the new standards
• Adapting existing curriculum to meet goals for mathematics and language arts at each grade level
• Designing assessments that measure mastery of the standards
• Ensuring that the standards benefit learning for all students, including multicultural learners

Lead your school or district in fulfilling the promise of the Common Core State Standards and preparing students for a competitive global economy.

"This book looks at the implementation of CCSS within the context of all of the components that face public schools, and, in doing so, puts the CCSS in a proper perspective. This is a book that could actually help make a difference in the improvement of instruction in the public schools."
―Martin J. Hudacs, Superintendent
Solanco School District, Quarryville, PA

"Making the Common Core Standards Work provides a detailed approach to systems thinking and how to manage a real-life paradigm shift."
―William Richard Hall, Jr., Principal
R. C. Longan Elementary School, Henrico, VA

Dr. Robert J. Manley graduated from Iona College with a BA in Spanish Language Arts and minors in Philosophy and Education. He completed his MA degree in the Humanities at Hofstra University and his Professional Diploma and Doctor of Philosophy degrees in Educational Administration at St. John′s University. He taught Spanish language skills and served as an instructor in a New York State Model Humanities program at West Babylon High School. For 21 years, he served in a variety of administrative positions including Assistant Principal at Babylon Jr./Sr. High School, Principal in Plainedge School Distrct, and Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction and Superintendent of Schools in West Babylon, New York. He served as President of the Board of Directors for the Suffolk County Library System and Suffolk County Organization to Promote Education. Currently, he is Professor of Educational Administration and Leadership in the Doctoral Program at Dowling College, New York.

In the last six years, he has presented peer-reviewed papers at the Sixth Annual Conference on Social Issues at Oxford University, England; the World Association for Case Research and Application in Mannheim, Germany, and Lucerne, Switzerland; and the Eastern Educational Research Association in Hilton Head, South Carolina, and Clearwater, Florida. In addition, he presented workshops on School Board Governance practices at the New York State School Boards Annual Convention and at the National School Boards Conference. On January 8, 2009, he presented "Systems That Work for Students in Higher Education" as Keynote Speaker at the International Symposium for Quality in Higher Education at Shri M.D., Shah Mahila College of Arts and Commerce, Mumbai, India. In January 2011, his paper titled "Indian, Mexican, and USA Management Students Interpret Moral Leadership for a Global Economy" was awarded Best Paper for Management at the International Business and Economy Conference at Universidad Panamericana, Guadalajara, Mexico. He is the coauthor with Richard Hawkins of a book on school reform titled Designing School Systems for All Students: A Toolbox to Fix America′s Schools.

Dr. Richard J. Hawkins graduated from Hofstra University with his BS in Music Education. He completed his MS in Education and Professional Diploma in Education Leadership at Long Island University. Rich received his doctorate in Educational Administration at Dowling College. He began his teaching career in the William Floyd School District as an instrumental music teacher and later became District Coordinator of Music and Art. After his department was recognized as the Outstanding Music Program in the country by the Music Educators National Conference, Rich moved to the district office as the Assistant Superintendent for Elementary Education and Personnel. Schools under his supervision received designation as New York State (NYS) Schools of Excellence and U.S. DOE Blue Ribbon Schools. Rich served as Superintendent of the William Floyd School District for almost 12 years. He has served as President of the Suffolk County School Superintendents Association (SCSSA) and held various roles with the New York State Council of School Superintendents (NYSCOSS). Currently, he is Director of Contract Services for the College of St. Rose, Albany, NY.

Since retiring from William Floyd, Rich served as an Adjunct Associate Professor in the Advanced Certificate and EdD programs in Educational Leadership at Dowlling College. He also is an instructor in the Educational Leadership program at the College of St. Rose in Albany, NY. In addition, Rich taught full time at the College of St. Elizabeth as Assistant Professor in their EdD and Master′s programs. In 2006, Rich formed Hawkins and Associates: Organizational Learning Consultants to help leaders and their organizations reach their goals and aspirations. Over the last nine years, he has peer-reviewed papers presented at the World Association for Case Research and Application in Lucerne, Switzerland, and Mannheim, Germany; the Eastern Educational Research Association in Hilton Head, South Carolina; and in the Long Island Education Review. Rich has made numerous presentations to the NYS School Boards Association, NYSCOSS, and SCSSA. He has presented at Hofstra University′s Social Emotional Literacy Conference and Dowling College′s Annual Practical Research Symposium. He was also a Keynote Presenter at the U.S. DOE Safe School/Healthier Students Conference, Tysons Corner, VA.

He is the coauthor with Robert Manley of a book on school reform titled Designing School Systems for All Students: A Toolbox to Fix America′s Schools.