This practical resource shows teachers and administrators how to better understand the Individual Education Program (IEP), create effective IEPs, as well as write and evaluate an IEP to benefit every student with a disability. Using a 15-step plan, Understanding, Developing, and Writing Effective IEPs: A Step-by-Step Guide for Educators provides techniques, suggestions, and information for every component of the IEP process. The authors include authentic IEP samples and multiple checklists to help educators prepare for an IEP meeting where all stakeholders are actively involved in the process. Frequently asked questions and a glossary of special education terminology enable every member of the IEP team to participate in this program, helping to ensure that every student receives the most appropriate interventions, services, and educational resources for academic success.
Teaching and Learning in the New Digital Landscape
Inspiring thoughtful discussion that leads to change, this provocative resource for teachers and administrators examines how the new digital landscape is transforming learners and learning. It makes the case for rethinking teaching processes in the face of these emerging developments within an environment of standards, accountability, and high stakes testing, and for providing informed leadership that supports 21st-century learning. The book provides strategies, ideas, and compelling viewpoints to help leaders deepen their understanding of how educational thinking and instructional approaches must translate into relevant classroom experiences for today's learners. Understanding the Digital Generation describes implementing educational approaches that build critical thinking skills, and discusses the role of digital media and technology used by students and how that fosters the crucial development of new 21st-century fluency skills. In reader-friendly terms, the authors provide: - A comprehensive profile of digital learners' attributes - An exploration of the concepts of "neuroplasticity" and the "hyperlinked mind" - An approach to educational models that support traditional literacy skills alongside essential 21st-century fluencies - An examination of appropriate methods of evaluation that encompass how digital generation students process new information For staff developers leading study groups, this text provides powerful chapter-opening quotes, built-in questions, and additional tools to generate reflective dialogue and an open exchange of ideas.
"Just what the educational doctor ordered. Written in an easy-to-understand format, this guide contains excellent explanations and valuable models, guidelines, checklists, unit designs, and lesson designs to help teachers implement standards-based education in their classrooms." -Vaughn G. Rhudy, Teacher Shady Spring High School, WV "Zagranski, Whigham, and Dardenne tame the beast of accountability for principals, teachers, and parents by articulately defining what is really expected. A real guide for demystifying the complex world of standards-based education." -Erica Ann Faginski, Principal Michael E. Smith Middle School, South Hadley, MA Transforming your curriculum into a standards-based model: What every educator needs to know! This comprehensive handbook offers a data-driven curriculum design process to help educators meet today's standards of performance and assessment. Based on decades of hands-on experience, Richard Zagranski, William T. Whigham, and Patrice L. Dardenne provide a clear set of expectations and responsibilities for stakeholders at all three levels of the educational pyramid: teachers, teacher leaders/coordinators, and administrators. Their user-friendly approach, which both incorporates and looks beyond NCLB, shows readers how to take a standard, transform it into a performance objective, and design a corresponding assessment piece. The text includes: Standards-based guidelines and action plans Ready-to-use charts, rubrics, and templates Real-world examples and assessment methods Step-by-step instructions to ensure sustainability Chapter summaries and a glossary for easy reference Understanding Standards-Based Education leads educators through a well-defined course of curriculum revision and presents all participants with specific, need-to-know information for accomplishing mandated goals.
This comprehensive guide to standards-based education takes a collaborative and respectful stance toward teaching, learning, and accountability that both incorporates and looks beyond No Child Left Behind. Grounded in the authors' pyramid of responsibility, Understanding Standards-Based Education identifies what everyone needs to know about standards-based education, what 'most' stakeholders need to know, and what only 'some' stakeholders need to know. The authors focuses on clarifying role responsibilities and then invites effective participation by all. Among the core stakeholder-participants in the authors' system of standards-based education and accountability are students, parents, and teachers (level 1); team leaders, department chairs, and facilitators of standards-based curriculum (level 2); and principals, superintendents, and school boards/oversight committees (level 3). This invaluable resource includes: - An overview of NCLB legislation highlighting current areas of concern for all three stakeholder levels - A data-driven plan of action and assessment for transforming the traditional educational curriculum into a standards-based curriculum - Clear step-by-step instructions in every chapter to ensure sustainability of the standards-based system - The book's instructional approach incorporates best practices from direct instruction (Madeline Hunter), brain-based learning, differentiated instruction, and other core teaching methods as well as formative and summative student assessment techniques. - Each chapter features ready-to-use templates, charts, rubrics, and checklists for stakeholders at each of the three levels of responsibility. Filled with the authors' wealth of hands-on experience, this teacher-friendly text is ideal for teachers, curriculum planners, and instructional leaders.
Peer through the eyes of students. See school their way. When we act on what students show us, valued outcomes follow. Students know best what engages and bores them and can offer dynamic insight into how to pique their best. When we know how to listen, we learn to increase interest, motivation, and overall achievement through academic press and a supportive culture. This book shows readers how to tap into student insight and adjust thinking to see education and learning through their eyes. Experience new levels of engagement and growth as you learn to: Build a culture of support, safety, and membership through academic excellence Nurture the growth of engaged teaching See things their way and transform your learning environment into a challenging, cohesive, and satisfying model for growth and outcome. "Missing far too long from the school improvement literature is the students' perspective. Joe Murphy demands that leaders learn to look through students' eyes to better understand the gaps and opportunities for school improvement and creating positive relationships in which students can flourish. This book lays out the theory and research that undergirds developing a student perspective, and provides strategies and approaches for leaders that should become essential to their preparation and practice." Terry Orr, Director of Future School Leaders Academy Bank Street College of Education "For 40 years educators have sought answers to the question: how do school leaders 'make a difference'? This quest has taken us in many directions, but few scholars thought to look through the 'eyes of students'. In this book Murphy provides a missing piece to this important puzzle." Philip Hallinger, Professor Chulalongkorn University
Recognize and promote exceptional teaching based on how students learn! To improve teaching, school leaders must understand how students learn. Authors P. Karen Murphy and Patricia Alexander explore key psychological dimensions of learners and explain how these dimensions can be incorporated into more effective teaching strategies. Their accessible overview of classic and current educational research is part of the Leadership for Learning initiative of the American Association of School Administrators (AASA). Understanding How Students Learn provides guiding principles that school leaders can use to help their teachers develop a learner-centered approach to instruction that enables all students to learn at high levels and do well on common measures of academic achievement. Concepts explored in-depth include: Learner growth and development Acquiring knowledge and understanding Cultivating learner motivation Strategic teaching and strategic learning The power of shared learning In addition to outlining specific guidelines for research-based action, the authors provide leaders with an understanding of student learning that empowers them to work more productively with teachers, parents, community leaders, and students. Designed for principals and school administrators who have assumed the role of instructional leader, this book will also be an invaluable resource for those contemplating a career in school administration or teachers concerned with improving academic performance.
Recognize and promote exceptional teaching based on how students learn! To improve teaching, school leaders must understand how students learn. Authors P. Karen Murphy and Patricia Alexander explore key psychological dimensions of learners and explain how these dimensions can be incorporated into more effective teaching strategies. Their accessible overview of classic and current educational research is part of the Leadership for Learning initiative of the American Association of School Administrators (AASA). Understanding How Students Learn provides guiding principles that school leaders can use to help their teachers develop a learner-centered approach to instruction that enables all students to learn at high levels and do well on common measures of academic achievement. Concepts explored in-depth include: Learner growth and development Acquiring knowledge and understanding Cultivating learner motivation Strategic teaching and strategic learning The power of shared learning In addition to outlining specific guidelines for research-based action, the authors provide leaders with an understanding of student learning that empowers them to work more productively with teachers, parents, community leaders, and students. Designed for principals and school administrators who have assumed the role of instructional leader, this book will also be an invaluable resource for those contemplating a career in school administration or teachers concerned with improving academic performance.
Using a combination of participant observation and interviews with teachers, parents and students, Rosetta Marantz Cohen explores a high school's efforts in the United States to implement broad-based curricular change. The book vividly illustrates the impact of change on an often resistant institution. From her observations, Cohen draws up a series of recommendations for those considering embarking on similar site-based reform initiatives.
Using a combination of participant observation and interviews with teachers, parents and students, Rosetta Marantz Cohen explores a high school's efforts in the United States to implement broad-based curricular change. The book vividly illustrates the impact of change on an often resistant institution. From her observations, Cohen draws up a series of recommendations for those considering embarking on similar site-based reform initiatives.
