The multi-day program, called Balanced ELA, begins with a Foundation Day focused on the California Reading/Language Arts Framework, and follows with one to three days of material covering key areas of implementation including improving teaching and learning for English Language Learners (ELL). Because of its unique structure, Balanced ELA can satisfy the needs of individual schools and districts at a decreased duration and cost.

“We are delighted to partner with Pivot Learning on Medallion Edition professional development,” said John Sipe, Regional Sales Vice President for Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. “Pivot Learning Partners is an organization of high-caliber educators with a fantastic track record of professional development and success in California schools, and they built this new training with highly-experienced educators who know what it takes to effectively implement Medallion Edition.”

This announcement comes on the heels of a recent adoption of Medallion Edition by seven additional school districts in California. Medallion Edition has now been adopted by 54 California school districts representing more than 350,000 students statewide. The program was approved by the California State Board of Education as part of the California Reading Language Arts adoption in November, 2008, and is the only approved offering designed specifically to meet the needs of financially challenged school districts. Medallion Edition provides schools with updated curriculum at about one third of the cost of a new program; thus helping districts save a combined total of $50 million dollars.

“With the recent adoptions of Houghton Mifflin Reading – Medallion Edition, teachers across the state will need the latest tools to help their students achieve in the classroom. Our training program is unique in that it provides coach consultants to help educators learn the best skills for instruction in ELA,” said Merrill Vargo, Executive Director of Pivot Learning Partners. “The demand for professional development is high, and Pivot Learning is thrilled to partner with Houghton Mifflin Harcourt to turn districts’ need into a reality.”