Many of our school districts have begun work with proficiency scales, a tool introduced by Robert Marzano and Marzano Research to determine levels of student learning. One benefit of including proficiency scales in your curriculum, instruction, and assessment work is that both the teacher and student can use them. Let’s take a closer look at what proficiency scales are, their purposes, and how they work within the CLI Model.Read More
Using Data to Improve Instruction in Five Steps or Less
Now, review the three essential pieces already mentioned above: curriculum, assessment, and instruction. Begin with the locally-written curriculum. Check the alignment of the curriculum to the state standards; particularly the standard that students performed poorly on. Ask yourself or your PLC these questions: Does the local curriculum require the same skills and knowledge as those in the state standards? Is the “essence” of the standard the same when it was …Read More
Initial CLI District Response to 6 Key Elements of the Every Student Succeeds Act
Analysis of relevant elements of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) suggests topics of discussion for the CLI district’s curriculum coordinating council. Although those who prepared ESSA say the act places most responsibility for establishing provisions to ensure school accountability on states, many stipulations included at the federal level do not allow much leeway for creativity or alternative interpretations. It is therefore suggested that curriculum coordinating councils place the selected relevant topics found in the table below on discussion agendas. Read More
Curriculum is a Roadmap
“Curriculum” is discussed on a daily basis in conversations within schools among administrators, teachers, support staff, and outside stakeholders. Strangely enough, it is a term that carries fundamental misconceptions that make those conversations difficult. Unless everyone involved in the conversation has the same definition for curriculum, what is said and what is heard are often very different.Read More
Reassessment Done Right
When thinking about mastery and student learning over time, it is almost impossible not to think about reassessment. Philosophically, if you believe in allowing students to retake assessments, you may struggle with the application of this belief in actual classrooms. The question is not whether students shall be allowed to reassess, but instead, how to reassess effectively. So, when a student takes an initial assessment and performs below required proficiency, …Read More
A Quick Guide to Data Analysis
One aspect of the initiative to improve public schools is the continuous gathering of data to determine an instructional program’s quality and improve student learning. Recent changes in standards and accountability have also brought a new plan for assessments. Read More
Why Every District Should Write Local Assessments
The Common Core State Standards are a set of curricular standards, as the name implies, common to all the states participating (45, plus District of Columbia and several territories) and to which all of their students will eventually be held accountable through a new set of statewide assessments. In 2010, the U.S. Department of Education awarded 330 million dollars to two assessment consortia to create Common Core State Standards (CCSS)-aligned …Read More