Implement the Common Core State Standards with downloadable reproducibles, lists of resources to support the many topics affected, discussion questions, and relevant information to share with your colleagues. Explore the background of the standards and the changes that must take place to meet them. The authors offer five principles for school leaders on effective coaching and feedback.
School Leader's Guide to the Common Core: Achieving Results Through Rigor and Relevance by James A. Bellanca, Robin J. Fogarty, Brian M. Pete, and Rebecca L. Stinson guides school leaders as they implement the Common Core State Standards into their curriculum, instruction, and assessment. This comprehensive resource provides reproducibles and "Looking Back," "Discussion Questions," and "Takeaways" sections to foster reflection and conversation with colleagues. Using the effective instructional leadership and innovative practices in this guide, all school leaders will make Common Core implementation a reality for their schools. Chapter 1 offers background on the CCSS, including the organizational and curriculum changes that must take place to reach the new academic standards. In chapter 2, the authors offer strategies for school leaders to support their teachers and implement long-term professional learning. The focus of chapter 3 is the place of rigor and real-world relevance in instruction. Its discussion focuses on (1) explicit teaching of a thinking skill, (2) close reading, (3) concept-rich mathematics, and (4) project-, problem-, and performance-based inquiry. The authors offer five principles of effective coaching and feedback in chapter 4. This chapter features teacher vignettes that illustrate the application of the principles for coaching and feedback. Finally, chapter 5 shows leaders how to collect and use assessment data when results are hindrances to reaching the mission of college and career-ready students.
This accessible resource addresses the problems, challenges, and issues that general and special education leaders frequently face on a day-to-day basis in implementing the Common Core standards in their schools. Grounded in best practices from current literature, this text provides leaders with practical solutions to working with teachers and differentiating instruction for all students—including students with special needs, ESL, and ELL learners. A School Leader’s Guide to Implementing the Common Core presents a cohesive framework and offers viable options for effective inclusive instruction based on students‘ varied learning needs. Special Features: Vignettes and "Research-Based Practical Tips" offer concrete connections to school contexts and illustrate practical applications. Explores current trends in Universal Design for Learning (UDL), Multi-tiered Systems of Support (MTSS), and Response to Intervention (RTI), and how they relate to the Common Core Standards. Guides leaders through the development of effective policies for culturally responsive instruction in the classroom.
Ensure your school’s grading procedures are supportive of learning, accurate, meaningful, and consistent. Discover how the “seven essential Ps” can improve your effectiveness in supporting assessment and communicating student achievement. You will also learn how to avoid inaccurate grades caused by penalties for lateness or academic dishonesty; extra credit; group rather than individual work; and marking down for attendance.
Accurately report students’ academic strengths and weaknesses with standards-based grading. Rather than using traditional systems that incorporate nonacademic factors such as attendance and behavior, learn to assess and report student performance based on prioritized standards. You will discover reliable, practical methods for analyzing what students have learned and gain effective strategies for offering students feedback on their progress.
"Educational leaders are empowered by a 7-steps framework to move their schools and districts forward in a quest to create community consensus and build the professional capacity for preparing students for 21st century learning."--Book cover.
Focus your curriculum to heighten student achievement. Learn 10 high-leverage team actions for grades 6–8 mathematics instruction and assessment. Discover the actions your team should take before a unit of instruction begins, as well as the actions and formative assessments that should occur during instruction. Examine how to most effectively reflect on assessment results, and prepare for the next unit of instruction
Professional development embedded within the PLC culture is vital to successfully implementing the Common Core State Standards. Integrate the CCSS for English language arts into your school’s instruction, curriculum, assessment, and intervention practices with this straightforward resource. Using specific leader-driven examples and scenarios, discover the what and how of teaching so you can ensure students master the standards.
Essential reading for school leaders! With the Common Core State Standards adopted by the vast majority of U.S. states, educators face the challenge of translating the standards into successful, positive change within schools. Written for school leaders, this practical guide offers a blueprint for implementing and exceeding the new standards using very targeted professional development. Readers will find realistic strategies supported by examples from a diverse range of schools. Topics include Empowering teachers and staff as partners in planning for and implementing the new standards Adapting existing curriculum to meet goals for mathematics and language arts at each grade level Designing assessments that measure mastery of the standards Ensuring that the standards benefit learning for all students, including multicultural learners Lead your school or district in fulfilling the promise of the Common Core State Standards and preparing students for a competitive global economy. "This book looks at the implementation of CCSS within the context of all of the components that face public schools, and, in doing so, puts the CCSS in a proper perspective. This is a book that could actually help make a difference in the improvement of instruction in the public schools." —Martin J. Hudacs, Superintendent Solanco School District, Quarryville, PA "Making the Common Core Standards Work provides a detailed approach to systems thinking and how to manage a real-life paradigm shift." —William Richard Hall, Jr., Principal R. C. Longan Elementary School, Henrico, VA
