Wondering what the LTF staff members have been up to lately? They've been participating in the PARCC Educator Leader Cadres as members of teams of educators who seek to clarify the assessment realm of common core implementation. Meetings are being held at which the representatives seek to understand what the new assessments will mean for teachers and students as well as how they will drive classroom instruction. Cadre members will then work in various ways (based upon their states' decisions) to disseminate information and training to teachers as they prepare for the upcoming assessments.

Here's a link to a recent Education Week article on the topic: www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2012/08/29/02cadre.h32.html

But in case you don't have a subscription, I think the intent of the PARCC Educator Leader Cadres was summed up very well in this quote: "Common core is causing serious angst in your states, your districts, and your schools," David Saba, the chief executive officer of Laying the Foundation, a teacher-training wing of the National Math and Science Initiative and a partner on the educator-leader cadres for PARCC, told the 300 cadre members. "You're here to relieve the pain."