Instructional Initiatives

Vocabulary and Higher Order Thinking Strategies

Our 4 traditional high schools have participated in the Learning Focused vocabulary train-the-trainer program. This will allow our instructional coaches to train teachers on using key vocabulary strategies in their classrooms. According to research, the percentile gain in learning with the application of these strategies is 33%.  Learning how to compare/contrast and analyze cause/effect is just a couple of examples of how to apply this tool to support student learning. Research indicates a possible 45% percentile gain when applying this instructional strategy.

Functional Professional Learning Communities

Each high school has organized PLCs with subjects where two or more teachers teach the same subject/level. These meetings focus on instructional planning, implementing high-yield instructional strategies, developing common formative assessments, and analyzing those assessments to determine which students have learned the content and which need intervention before the summative test. Data is also used to share best practices of teaching certain standards among teachers in the PLC. Meeting templates are used to guide the meetings as the PLC cycle follows DuFour's critical questions.  1. What do we want all students to know and be able to do? 2. How will we know if they learn it? 3. How will we respond when some students do not learn?  4. How will we extend the learning for students who are already proficient?  Each high school principal has set PLCs as an instructional priority.

Instructional Walkthroughs for Teacher Support

Instructional walkthroughs: Each high school conducts instructional, non-evaluative classroom walkthroughs that assess student engagement and the implementation of high-yield strategies. Data is used to guide professional development and instructional support for teachers. School administration and instructional coaches develop a schedule to see teachers on a weekly or biweekly basis. District personnel are available for school support and feedback.