Curriculum mapping, utilizing assessment data, and differentiating instruction can improve schools and raise student achievement. But schools need to seamlessly integrate all three techniques in order to see schoolwide change. Kallick & Colosimo show readers what are the essential questions to ask about the curriculum, the data, and instructional and assessment techniques and how technology can drive the process. They provide real-life examples of districts using these techniques successfully. The book uses the AlterNet software as an example of how technology can help schools develop an information technology system to help the reader tap into and make effective decisions based on the data.
"This book will take you along paths forged by data trailblazers toward deeper understandings of the needs of students. The lessons learned will help you blaze your own trail." -Page Keeley, President National Science Teachers Association Collaborative inquiry + effective use of data = significant leaps in learning and achievement! Closing the achievement gap, reducing the failure rate of underserved students, and meeting accountability requirements are primary goals for educational leaders. This valuable handbook arms leaders with the tools to use data to work for students' benefit, with an emphasis on promoting equity within a culturally proficient school environment. Presenting a conceptual framework and practical methods, this resource combines a powerful collaborative inquiry process, reflective dialogue, and rigorous use of data to improve outcomes for all students. The book includes detailed examples of schools that have demonstrated dramatic gains by building collaborative cultures, nurturing ongoing inquiry, and using data systematically. The editor and chapter contributors show school and district leaders how to: Implement collaborative inquiry to meet accountability mandates Build and support a high-performing data culture Establish a school climate characterized by collective responsibility for student learning and a respect for students' cultures The user-friendly overview and step-by-step guidelines help educators develop and refine the skills, knowledge, and dispositions needed to use data effectively and significantly improve teaching and learning.
Raise your equity awareness quotient In this time of changing demographics and increased diversity, many teachers find that existing strategies to promote equity are only successful with some of the students in their classes. This book provides teachers with new strategies and tools that will work for all children, including those with diverse needs. The authors outline a wide range of methods to help teachers: Assess their competency in teaching all students Embrace self-reflection and be open to change Evaluate and assess student achievement Develop high-quality teaching skills and an equity consciousness that leads to success with all students Every chapter of this easy-to-read and content-rich text contains a wealth of assessment tools and discussion tools that guide educators to greater equity and excellence. Teachers will find practical strategies for raising student achievement and closing the achievement gap.
Use the power of equity audits to help eliminate achievement gaps and educational bias! If you've heard about equity audits but aren't really sure how to use them in your school, you are not alone. This resource, written by well-known authors and experts in the areas of equity and achievement, expands school leaders' understanding of how to interpret data in order to make equity audits work and provides practical, easy-to-implement strategies for using this school assessment approach to help ensure a high-quality education for all students, regardless of socio-economic class. Grounded solidly in theory, this book demonstrates how audits can help not only in developing fair programs that provide all students with the opportunity to reach their potential but also for hiring, training, and retaining good teachers. Readers will discover how to remedy inequalities in student achievement by using: A set of "inequity indicators" for evaluating schools, generating essential data, and identifying problem areas The NCLB Act in a positive way to create equity Nine skill sets for improved equity-oriented teaching Charts, graphs, and support materials that can be customized for specific settings Ideal for helping principals develop school-based equity audits with confidence, Using Equity Audits to Create Equitable and Excellent Schools can also be used by superintendents to increase equity awareness at the district level.
"By guiding teachers and their students through the workings of Excel, this book ultimately leads to high-ordered decision making about data management and interpretation-a compelling reality of the 21st century." Nancy Tanner Edwards, Professor of Education Missouri Western State College St. Joseph, MO "A wonderful tool for instruction in Excel. The authors have given a clear and concise explanation which is easy to comprehend, in addition to practical examples to use with students." Peggy Miller, Technology Coordinator/Teacher St. James/Seton School Omaha, NE Make Microsoft Excel (TM) work for you-in the classroom and at your desk! Microsoft Excel is much more than a simple spreadsheet program. It is a sophisticated and flexible reporting, planning, and presentation tool that teachers can use effectively for curriculum prep, class projects, budget planning and reporting, and even as a database. Here is all you need to know on Understanding Excel Creating a gradebook Solving basic mathematics problems Building formulas and functions Creating charts and graphs Making Web pages Using color, fonts, and graphics in presentations . . . and all of it built by tech experts and experienced educators, especially for teachers. Using Excel in the Classroom is the essential how-to for teachers at all grade levels, filled with specific, classroom-tested templates, and techniques that teachers need most!
"This practical and thought-provoking book offers time-saving strategies essential for every teacher in every discipline. The numerous self-assessments demonstrate that the best formative assessments are not merely given "to" students but are an interactive learning experience involving students, teachers, and professional colleagues." -Douglas B. Reeves, Founder The Leadership and Learning Center "This book provides a wealth of information for teachers and mathematics leaders to consider when implementing intervention models, RTI programs, and differentiated instruction for low achievers through high achievers." -Don S. Balka, Professor Emeritus St. Mary's College, Notre Dame, IN "Many of the seemingly abstruse or vague concepts-such as differentiated instruction-come alive in the numerous vignettes. Included are many examples of ways to quickly assess relevant student background knowledge before teaching a new topic and how to use this information for tiered instruction following an RTI (Response to Intervention) model." -From the foreword by Russel Gersten Director, Instructional Research Group & Professor Emeritus, University of Oregon Seven easy steps to differentiating math instruction for busy teachers Are you able to support your struggling students while also challenging your high achievers? Abundant research supports the value of differentiating instruction to students' individual levels, but putting it into practice can be daunting. Staff development expert and former math teacher Leslie Laud provides a clear roadmap for using formative assessment to differentiate mathematics instruction for students in Grades 4-10. She provides a comprehensive framework of seven research-based practices that show how to: Get started and establish norms Implement formative assessment Create tiered lessons Manage a multitasking classroom effectively Tested and enhanced by experienced math teachers, the book's strategies are designed for use in conjunction with any curriculum or textbook. Included are a wealth of practical examples, reproducibles, and student activities-all developed with effective time management in mind. Whether you are just starting or interested in enhancing your mathematics instruction, this book will prove an invaluable resource.
Formative assessment and differentiated instruction made manageable We all recognize the countless benefits of differentiated instruction. The challenge is in its implementation. Faced with a classroom of 25 students-each with very different needs-how can we possibly keep every student on track and motivated? Through formative assessment and efficient follow-up instruction. This start-to-finish guide will show you how through seven classroom-tested practices for maximizing student learning. Established experts on this subject, Leslie Laud and Pooja Patel demonstrate how to: Establish new classroom norms Involve students in the use of assessment data and feedback to inform their next steps Clarify end-of-unit criteria to help map learning progression Apply assessment data to grouping students for tiered activities Differentiate assignments based on student readiness, characteristics, and interest Best of all, Using Formative Assessment to Differentiate Middle School Literacy Instruction is packed with vignettes, sample worksheets, and charts to assist you through each step in the process. Armed with this toolkit, you'll quickly discover new ways to keep all students engaged in their learning.
Graphic organizers provide a clear and easy-to-understand reflection of how the brain sorts and connects learning, allowing teachers to spot gaps in student understanding. This collection of classic and newly created graphic and three dimensional organizers will give teachers new tools and new ways to use them to teach, assess, and help students ......
Graphic organizers provide a clear and easy-to-understand reflection of how the brain sorts and connects learning, allowing teachers to spot gaps in student understanding. This collection of classic and newly created graphic and three dimensional organizers will give teachers new tools and new ways to use them to teach, assess, and help students ......
