Course Reviews
What Participants Are Saying
What District Administrators Are Saying About CE Credits Online
Sandra L. Tune, Ed.S.
District Resource Teacher
Reading Endorsement
Test Prep for Teacher Certification
Hillsborough County Public Schools, Staff Development
Tampa, Florida
Coaching to Improve Reading and
Differentiating Instruction in the Regular Classroom
"Thank you very much for all of your support. I have heard only kudos for CE Credits from the district's participants as to the content of the CE Credits Online Competency 4/5 (Differentiating Instruction in the Regular Classroom) and Competency 6 (Coaching to Improve Reading) courses. Teachers have been sharing their positive reflections with other teachers who are 'lining-up' for additional opportunities to take these online courses. I believe that CE Credits courses are one of the best investments my district has made."
Kathryn Kelton
Senior Coordinator, Reading First
Polk County Public Schools, FL
Coaching to Improve Reading
"Who would have thought an online class could have such an impact on those who have taken it?! Our teachers and reading coaches have come away having collaborative conversations where terms like “peer relationships, reflective questioning, and enduring knowledge” are at the forefront. Most importantly, they feel like they not only have the tools to be successful coaches or coachees—but they have the confidence to engage in the self-reflection necessary to refine their craft. Thank you for developing Coaching to Improve Reading!"
Dawn C. Newell
Secondary Reading/Language Arts Curriculum Specialist
Alachua County Public Schools
Gainesville, Florida
"I wanted to let you know how pleased Alachua County is with the service you have provided in regard to reading endorsement courses (Coaching to Improve Reading and Differentiating Instruction in the Regular Classroom). The teachers are pleased with the content of the courses as well as the ease of use and accessibility of your staff when they need help or have questions.
I am pleased with the ease of registration and the speed with which we receive course log on information. I can easily meet the reading endorsement needs of the teachers. Thank you for your wonderful service."
Kathy Giroux
Senior Coordinator
Instructional Professional Development
Polk County School District
Bartow, Florida
Coaching to Improve Teaching and Learning
"Our school district has used CE Credits Online for our district Coaching course for two years. We’ve utilized it based on continued positive feedback from participants. At the end of each course, we hold a feedback and review session with participants. A few of the comments we repeatedly hear are:
‘The format of the course is so easy to follow.’
‘I learned so much about coaching and the verbal skills I need to use.’
‘It was easy to navigate through all the lessons.’
‘My forums were answered in a timely manner.’
Other comments center around the course being easily accessible, self paced and flowing nicely from one lesson to another.
Our district has looked at other online coaching courses in the past. We value quality courses with hands on learning that require implementation of activities. Coaching to Improve Teaching and Learning is a quality course that requires active participation and follow-through of activities. Because of this, participants learn the necessary skills. Therefore, our district continues to use the course.
We highly recommend it to other districts looking for an online coaching course option.”
Jennifer Smith, Past Staff Development Director
District School Board of Pasco County
Current Director of Curriculum and Instruction
Sarasota County Schools
Sarasota, FL
Coaching to Improve Teaching and Learning
"When we had a large number of K-12 teachers who needed training to provide peer coaching, Coaching to Improve Teaching and Learning from CE Credits Online was a viable and successful answer. Teachers responded very positively to the format and content, and their online discussions were invaluable for developing an online professional learning community among the coaches.”
Dr. Beverly Addison
Supervisor
Online Professional Development Programs
Cobb County School District
Marietta, Georgia
The Constructive Discipline Series
"We started offering the three-part Constructive Discipline Series when principals and teachers asked us to find an online course to help new teachers create orderly classrooms during their first year of teaching. Now we have veteran teachers also requesting the course because of the impact the strategies have had in their colleagues’ classrooms.
The courses are well designed, include a variety of learning activities, are easy to navigate, and the facilitators and support staff are responsive. Our teachers and paraprofessionals have nothing but praise for the courses and the technical support staff. CE Credits Online has set the benchmark in quality for my school district in working with online course vendors.”
Denise Busby
Specialist, Secondary Program
Los Angeles Unified School District
Alternative Certification and
Teacher Support
District Intern Program
"The Los Angeles Unified School District District Intern Program and Beginning Teacher Support and Assessment (BTSA) Induction Program partnered with CE Credits Online in 2001 to create the online course, "Today’s Classroom: Foundation of and Current Trends in Education.” This structured online course provides accountable and consistent professional development activities that enable teachers, especially beginning teachers, to develop as professional educators. Over 1,000 District Interns and BTSA participating teachers have enrolled and successfully completed this provocative and stimulating course. The content is relevant and presents strategies that can be immediately implemented within the classroom. The videos demonstrate concrete models that employ strategies, lessons and many resources that become elements that teachers place in their permanent professional repertoire. The evaluations and reflective thoughts of the interns and participating teachers give the highest ratings possible to the format of the online course. The course facilitators and support staff at CE Credits Online provide individual attention and effectual responses that far exceeds traditional expectations.
I highly recommend CE Credits Online to any district considering the use of this online service as part of their professional development.”
Denise S. Roberts
Director of Professional Development
School District of Indian River County
Vero Beach, FL
Again . . . Indian River has been extremely pleased with Competency 4/5 (Coaching to Improve Reading) as well as the service we have received from you!
Thanks again! Denise
Dave Belinsky
Education Specialist Advisor
Los Angeles Unified School District
Today's Classroom: Foundations of and Current Trends in Education
"I write you today out of gratitude for years of professional online curriculum design and instruction. Although the Los Angeles Unified School District has availed itself of a multitude of courses offered by your program, I would like to focus on my two years of experience primarily dealing with the Today’s Classroom: Foundations of and Current Trends in Education online course.
As a both a secondary education advisor and now a special education advisor, I have had the chance to see the utility of this particular course for a variety of new teacher candidates. While both groups enjoy the classroom management components (Lesson 7), the special education teacher interns especially enjoy the ample time devoted to addressing the various ability levels within a given classroom. All interns seem to relish any discussion of how to enhance their assessments to provide a more comprehensive picture of student performance, an issue deftly elucidated near the culmination of this particular course.
Perhaps the most enjoyable part of working with CE Credits online, however, is the customer support. Your Vice President has been steadfast in her resolve to see that our teacher candidates have the best experience possible. This is evidenced in everything from her personable phone calls to her networking savvy in troubleshooting our online concerns and/or problems.
It is my hope that our intern program continues to expand its relationship with CE Credits Online.”
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Giving Directives That Students Will Follow (1st in series)
"The Safety, Order and Rights value set is the most valuable (to me) and will be most helpful in my classroom. There is consistency in this set of verbal commands with no backing down. The teacher is in control and there is no power struggle. Just as one of the videos showed, students will realize that the teacher will consistently respond with the same type of answer…just like a machine. They will be able to anticipate what comes next. I’m sure my school and colleagues will accept this value set, because it has proven to be a powerful tool.”
Submitted By: DJ, Charlotte County, Florida
"The idea I found most valuable is the 4 step verbal skill. Previously, I was one of those who tended to get dragged into an argument with students. No more! I'll state the four steps using exact words and the student will receive the consequence if he or she doesn't comply. I believe that the Safety, Order and Rights value set will help students better understand why we have rules and help the learning process in the classroom because students are then following those rules. If all teachers learned about the value set, they would accept it. This would be an excellent in-service idea”
Submitted By: LS, Charlotte County, Florida
"I think the most valuable concept in the course is the four step directive for helping students make better choices. When a student is being disruptive and defiant, this approach allows the student to make a positive choice without feeling powerless. In the past I have had students who refused to follow directions. I think the four-step approach of polite directive, stating the expectation, stating the consequence, and offering a choice would have worked well with these students. I think the safety, order, and rights value set is a great concept for all classrooms. It focuses on keeping students safe, providing order to ensure learning, and respecting the rights of all individuals. I think my colleagues will see it as a great concept for our school. I think it would be great if it were to be implemented school- wide.”
Submitted By: LS, Cobb County, Georgia
"This was a practical, useful course. The four-step verbal approach is clear and effective. I am becoming more comfortable with it. I had to rethink some of my approaches as I worked through this course. It reaffirmed for me that consequences and rules must work together. Any approach that stops the arguing that students enjoy is an approach I need and want. Thanks for all the idea and techniques. Yes the Safety, Order and Rights Value set is very important in my classroom. Students want to feel that the teacher will require safety, order and respect of their rights in the classroom. I want that also. My school definitely will support this plan. My co-workers are anxious to try this approach with their groups.”
Submitted By: JJ, DeKalb County, Georgia
"I am thrilled to have taken from this course the four directives you have given us for behavior management. We have found that it works (even with kindergarteners!) and are excited to have this very useful tool upon which to draw...and we do, every day!! My teacher and I watch our wording very carefully and have been able to hold the children accountable for their actions and the consequences that may ensue for undesirable behavior. It really makes them stop and think! I think the Safety, Order and Rights value set will be helpful to us as teachers in the classroom and definitely believe our school will accept the value set. This entire class has really made clear that we all need and should be held accountable for our actions inside as well as outside of the classroom.”
Submitted By: CC, Cobb County, Georgia
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Stopping Disruptive Behavior (2nd in series)
"The idea presented in the course that I found to be most valuable was the 4 step Verbal Technique. It is great to have a set thing to say when encountering disruptive students and especially a technique that works. It lets the students know their expectations and make an adult decision as to how they should behave. I believe the Safety, Order and Rights ® value set will be helpful in my classroom. I will use it with students and parents. I believe your school and department colleagues will accept the value set because we basically use it now but we just don’t have it spelled out like this.”
Submitted By: MM, DeKalb County, Georgia
"I think the Safety, Order and Rights value set in itself is the most valuable idea presented in the course. I believe this is a perfect way to express your expectations to both the children and parents. I know the Safety, Order and Rights value set is helpful. I have already started using it. My school would definitely benefit and accept the value set. I wish more of my colleagues and administration would take the course.”
Submitted By: TR, Fulton County, Georgia
"This course has truly enlightened me. I have fought so many battles with students, not knowing that I had the wrong technique. I just focused on getting the student to tell the truth, or to just admit that they were wrong, or even to apologize for their wrong doing. Also, my delivery has not always been calm. The five statement technique will definitely be used from now on. Now, I know that if the child just internally admits or thinks about their behavior it is enough to stop the behavior. The students that I have had the dialog with have not repeated their behavior (at least not with me). It is really hard for me to put my appreciation of this course down in writing, but I would encourage my co-workers to at least try the technique once. I also thought that the "Safety, Order, and Rights" value set should also be encouraged in my school; classroom. This method should somehow be a part of the school wide plan.”
Submitted By: CH, Fulton County, Georgia
"The verbal technique is the most important thing I learned from this course. It will be invaluable to me. I’ve already experienced its use in my class room. I am amazed at how it works outside the class room. I used it with my six year old grandson and it worked. I told a friend of mine about the course and the verbal technique. She was very interested and tried it at work on a colleague who is always trying to pass off his work onto others. She said it was incredible how it stopped him from doing it. I do believe in the Safety, Order and Rights value set. Our school operates along these lines now.”
Submitted By: EL, Fulton County, Georgia
"I found the 5-part skill in stopping disruptive behavior the most valuable. I was one of those yelling teachers before I began these last two on-line courses. I now state the steps in order and expect results. If I don't get them, the student gets the stated consequence. The Safety, Order and Rights value set simply helps our classroom rules make sense. Students need to understand why the rules are there and how they are for their benefit in order to better follow them. Do I think the school and department colleagues will accept them? Yes, if they see the benefit.”
Submitted By: LS, Charlotte County, Florida
"This course helped me see that when confronting a student about a misbehavior, the student response is not as important as me getting the student to see his own behavior and to internally evaluate the choices he is making. This helps to eliminate the power struggle, yet sets the standard and consequences for the student. I love the Safety, Order, and Rights value set because it helps me distinguish between annoying behavior and destructive behavior. Some of the things I would previously be annoyed by I could let go... I think for the faculty to accept this method, they would have to see it used successfully by me and/or others. School problems with students are complicated issues and it is sometimes hard to jump in headfirst if you are unsure of a method’s effectiveness.”
Submitted By: RF, Cobb County, Georgia
"I think the Safety, Order and Rights act is very valuable. I have used it on the children in our class, as well as my own children and it really works! They become aware that they need to make the decision and I don't have to blow my top off! I also like the technique or steps for stopping disruptive behavior. It is amazing how well it works. The student makes the choice of the desired behavior; you don't have to get angry, or upset. I wasn't really sure if it would work, but amazingly it really does. Getting the verbiage exact takes practice and I do use a "cheat sheet" still but practice makes perfect. We have started using the Safety, Order and Rights value set in our class room and I have heard some other parapros using it! We talked with our administration and they are willing to do this as well. … This was an informative class, something I can use forever.”
Submitted By: RW, Cobb County, Georgia
"Without a doubt, the verbal technique for stopping disruptive behavior is the most valuable element of this course, in my opinion. I have used the technique several times now. It is amazing how well it works and how well the children respond to the calm, calculated questions as they are presented. I have received no hostility in response to my questions. The students really appear to think through what is being said and I actually had a little boy stop me to tell me his "plan” for improving his constant talking in his 2nd grade class. I am raving about this technique to my fellow teachers. I am not in a normal classroom setting, but I get a huge opportunity to deal with many students in our school because of my position. I will continue to use the verbal techniques and require the students to be more responsible for the decisions they make about the actions they do. I have enjoyed this class and plan to talk about it at a new teacher group meeting that we are having next week! I hope that my colleagues will accept the value set because it works.”
Submitted By: SD, Savannah-Chatham County, Georgia
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Conducting the Parent Conference (3rd in series)
"This was a great course. I learned so much. I am certainly implementing the 7-step interview especially the goal step. I will also use the 7 steps of communicating. I wish that I had known the resistance techniques this past year. They were clear and concise. I also found the appropriate ways to end a conference helpful. I plan to use the copies of the graphic organizers next year. Yes, the value set will be very helpful in conducting conferences. I think my colleagues will be delighted with the value set. I will recommend this course to others. Thanks!”
Submitted By: LE, Rock Island Regional Office of Education, Illinois
"I believe this was a very informational course. Often times, I find myself getting into long drawn out conversations with parents. This course gave steps to follow to make sure that the conference stays on-task and on-topic. I also found the part on handling difficult parents helpful. It gave clear steps on how to respond to them. In terms of the Safety Orders Right Value set, I think that using it in a conference is helpful in that it allows the parents to see the expectations and how their child is violating the rights of others and themselves. I think it would definitely be something that others would like to use at my school.”
Submitted By: VB, Cobb County, Georgia
"The idea presented in the course that I found most valuable was using the Safety, Order, and Rights value set to gain parent's support in implementing consequences or action plans. It is so valuable because it is very hard to believe any parent would not want these fundamental rights for their child. Once you gain their agreement to this, your job in involving them in a subsequent plan to address the problem is much easier. It also eliminates subjective opinions and hearsay. I believe this will be very helpful in my classroom next year. I know my school and department colleagues will also fully accept this value set!”
Submitted By: PN, Cobb County, Georgia
"The ideas that I found to be most valuable in the course are those that encourage the use of documentation with my students. Prior to this course, I viewed documentation as a means of providing how right I was, now I see that documentation is one of the most effective means that I will ever have as a teacher that will help indicate that my student needs help. Also, I appreciated the many forms that were available for download. I plan on implementing them with my upper grade students. Finally, I appreciated the opportunity to post my thoughts and opinions and to realize that I was not being judged on what I thought, but rather was being encouraged to think about how to conduct my classroom in a manner which would offer all students a positive environment in which to learn.”
Submitted By: MC, Chicago Public Schools, Illinois
"The ideas I feel will be most valuable to me are the techniques for overcoming resistance when meeting with parents. It is so important for parents and educators to work together as a team. These techniques will help get us on the same team. The Safety, Order, and Rights value set presents a common sense approach that few parents can dispute and will prove to be quite valuable. I think my school would accept this value set particularly if it were |