Arkansas Foundations of Reading Test (FORT)

What kind of professional development opportunities should be offered to classroom teachers?

1. Designing effective literature circles

2. Focused solely on test preparation

3. Grading students' assignments faster

4. Only improving handwriting

The correct answer is: Designing effective literature circles

Offering professional development opportunities that focus on designing effective literature circles is highly beneficial for classroom teachers. Literature circles promote collaborative learning and critical thinking among students. They provide an engaging way for students to interact with texts, discuss ideas, and develop deeper comprehension skills. This type of professional development encourages teachers to explore diverse reading strategies and adaptive instructional methods that cater to varying student needs, ultimately enhancing the overall literacy experience in the classroom. In contrast, professional development that is solely focused on test preparation may limit teachers' ability to provide a rich, comprehensive literacy education. Similarly, the emphasis on merely speeding up the grading process overlooks vital pedagogical strategies that promote student learning and understanding. Finally, concentrating only on improving handwriting does not address the broader literacy skills that literature circles help develop, such as comprehension, analysis, and discussion. Therefore, designing effective literature circles emerges as a comprehensive approach that fosters a more enriching learning environment.