ABSTRACT
How you and others interpret and implement the Common Core State Standards will depend on basic beliefs about teaching and learning in English language arts. Beginning teachers sometimes assume that the most important skills to acquire from methods courses, professional preparation, and in-services are specific techniques or teaching methods-the famed “silver bullets”—guaranteed to ensure the learning of all students with whatever content at any time and place. Yet, as experienced teachers know, high-standard teaching requires complex, informed, and carefully situated professional knowledge. Outstanding English language arts teachers understand the development and evolution of curriculum and instruction in their field and they know what excellent language arts teaching looks like. This kind of knowledge informs local teacher decision-making necessary for high levels of student achievement.
