3. To improve instruction and ultimately student achievement, the district should further articulate the district instructional model and support teachers in its implementation. A. The district should continue to use its identified best practices to deepen teachers’ understanding of effective instruction. 1. Particular emphasis should be placed on the ways in which these practices can be used to address students’ individual learning styles and needs, increase instructional rigor, and engage students in higher order thinking. 2. The district use grade level, department, and faculty meetings, common planning time, and professional development days for this purpose. a. One possible strategy for deep analysis of the instructional model is to use meeting time to watch videos of effective instructional strategies and then follow up with discussion. Teachers might also be invited to participate in walkthroughs and follow-up debriefing activities. Shared professional readings and subsequent discussions can also strengthen teachers’ understanding of key instructional strategies. b. The district should continue to use directors and ILSs to model best practice in classrooms and to provide team, grade level, and department coaching, as well as support. c. Administrators are encouraged to provide more time for teachers to observe effective practice in classrooms. 3. The district should continue to provide professional development to deepen educators’ understanding of instructional strategies and district expectations. 4. As the instructional model evolves, teachers should be encouraged to tailor it based on their students’ learning styles and needs in order to engage all students in rigorous content. Recommended resources: The Massachusetts Standards for Professional Development () describe, identify, and characterize what high quality learning experiences should look like for educators. The PLC Expansion Project website () is designed to support schools and districts in their efforts to establish and sustain cultures that promote Professional Learning Communities. PBS LearningMedia () is a free digital media content library that provides relevant educational resources for PreK-12 teachers. The flexible platform includes high-quality content tied to national curriculum standards, as well as professional development courses.
Appendix C: Instructional Inventory Learning Environment By Grade Span Evidence None Partial Clear & Consistent (0) (1) (2) 1. Tone of interactions between teacher and students and among students is positive & respectful. ES 2% 0% 98% MS 3% 13% 84% HS 0% 19% 81% # 2 9 102 Total % 2% 8% 90% 2. Behavioral standards are clearly communicated and disruptions, if present, are managed effectively & equitably. ES 2% 5% 93% MS 0% 19% 81% HS 4% 23% 73% Total # 2 15 96 % 2% 13% 85% 3. The physical arrangement of the classroom ensures a positive learning environment and provides all students with access to learning activities. ES 4% 4% 93% MS 10% 29% 61% HS 4% 19% 77% Total # 6 16 91 Total % 5% 14% 81% 4. Classroom rituals and routines promote transitions with minimal loss of instructional time. ES 7% 9% 84% MS 3% 16% 81% HS 27% 19% 54% Total # 12 15 86 Total % 11% 13% 76% 5. Multiple resources are available to meet all students’ diverse learning needs. ES 23% 23% 54% MS 29% 35% 35% HS 81% 12% 8% Total # 43 27 43 Total % 38% 24% 38% Teaching 6. The teacher demonstrates knowledge of subject and content. ES 2% 5% 93% MS 6% 10% 84% HS 4% 15% 81% Total # 4 10 99 % 4% 9% 88% 7. The teacher plans and implements a lesson that reflects rigor and high expectations. ES 13% 39% 48% MS 13% 39% 48% HS 12% 38% 50% Total # 14 44 55 Total % 12% 39% 49% Teaching (continued) Evidence