While students enjoy time off from classes this summer, social studies teachers from south central and eastern Kentucky hit the books to learn what it takes to strengthen their students’ understanding of government and civic content taught in the classroom.

Forward in the Fifth, a non-profit educational organization that helps the educational community meet standards set by state and national reforms, selected 54 middle school teachers — including one from Harlan County — to receive professional development training this summer at one of two regional sessions of the 2009 Teacher Academy Network.

“Forward in the Fifth’s Teacher Academy Network was awesome,” said Debbie Napier, a social studies teacher at Rosspoint Elementary School. “It brought teachers together face to face to break down effective social studies standards.”

Napier and 18 other professional educators representing 16 Kentucky school districts attended the second — and final — regional training session held July 7-10 at Rural Law Enforcement Technology Center (RULETC) in Hazard.

At the session, participants dissected each of the grade-level content standards and teaching strategies to increase their knowledge and understanding impacting future student comprehension. They also constructed classroom assessment items which can be utilized throughout their teaching of core content areas of government and civics.

“Forward in the Fifth is committed to be a catalyst for educational change across Kentucky,” Jim Tackett, the organization’s executive director, said. “Parallel to our mission of uniting educators, students, parents and community leaders for improved educational attainment is the need to better equip students and the general public on civic awareness and knowledge within their local community and state.”

The training was funded by a U.S. Department of Education Civic Literacy Grant and included both online and onsite professional development strands.

“This professional development experience enables our educators to strengthen their content knowledge and skills in the areas of government and civics,” Tackett said. “Research illustrates when teachers understand their content and the standards to which they teach, quality instruction translates to higher student achievement.”

According to the latest test results released by the state’s former Commonwealth Accountability Testing System (CATS), substantial gains must be made by all students — particularly at the middle and high school levels — in social studies content in order to reach a comfortable level of competence as demonstrated by daily activity.

Dr. Natalie Bolton, director of the University of Louisville’s Office of Civic Education and Engagement, College of Education and Human Development, facilitated the professional development training session.

“The goal of the professional development is to enhance the knowledge, skills and dispositions of the students of the commonwealth so they will be informed, active and effective citizens,” she said.

Tackett said educators must be able to critically understand and analyze their class content prior to being able to adequately teach the subject matter.

“Quality professional development with their peers allows this essential learning to take place,” he said. “These educators are to be commended for spending their time and energy during the summer months to improve their teaching. It is with passion and enthusiasm that we will transform education and lives within our region.”

For more information on Forward in the Fifth, contact Jim Tackett at 606-677-6000 or e-mail him at jtackett@centertech.com.