Stakeholder Expectations for Instructional Improvement and Student Achievement

1. Stakeholder Expectations for Instructional Improvement and Student Achievement Eric D. Moore, Principal Lawrence Walker, Assistant Principal Tara Grace-Wilson, Title I PLC Coach July 29, 2013, Faculty In-Service

2. Tennessee Professional Teaching Standards • Standard 4: Teaching Strategies - Teachers understand and use a variety of instructional strategies to encourage development of critical thinking, problem solving and performance skills in students. • Standard 5: Learning Environment - Teachers use an understanding of individual and group motivation and behavior to create a learning environment that encourages positive social interaction, active engagement in learning and self motivation. • Standard 8: Assessments – Teachers know, understand and use formal and informal assessment strategies to evaluate and ensure the continuing intellectual, social and physical development of the learner.

3. Teaching and Learning • Teachers will employ the Direct Teaching Model for effective instruction. Lectures should only be given to provide foundational knowledge. • Lesson plans are data-driven/informed using common weekly assessment data. • Teachers must have a complete understanding of the students they serve through their teaching. Weekly common assessment will provide such information for differentiated clustering of students. • Teacher must ensure that they are conducting daily checks for understanding to understand whether students have grasped what was taught. • Accountable Talks • Exit Tickets • Etc. • Instruction is differentiated based on students’ performance on weekly common and formative assessments.

4. Weekly PLC Meetings and Individual Data Talks • What was taught? • Did the students learn the concepts taught? Do they know it? How do you know? • What are we doing for the ones who did not master the concepts / standards taught?

5. Cultivate Learning Environment • Classroom environment must be color and print-rich. • Classroom environment must be clutter free. • Instructional materials and equipment must be prepared ahead of time and readily available to students. • Classroom expectations must be posted in a prominent place. • Students fully understand classroom expectations and consequences. • Classroom environment must have established procedures and routines.

6. Family and Parent Engagement • Teachers are expected to make initial documented contact with the families and parent(s) of students served by their teaching. • Letters, email, web posting, etc. • Teachers are expected to maintain lines of communication with families and parent(s) of students on a weekly basis. At least three contacts per week

7. Recordkeeping : Attendance and Grades • Enter student attendance daily at the start of each class period, while students work on bellwork assignments. • Enter student grades on a weekly basis in roll book and PowerTeacher. • 1 Classwork Grade • 1 Homework Grade • 1 Assessment Grade • Conduct grades must be supported with documentation and is to be included in your Accountability Binder

8. Accountability Binder • Teachers must fully maintained and will include the following items: • Copies of your weekly lesson plans • Copies of your weekly or end-of-instruction assessments • Weekly common assessment data or end-of-instruction data • Formative assessment data • Behavior or Conduct Logs per individual student • Parent Contact Logs • Tutoring Logs • Attendance Logs

9. What Is an Excellent Teacher? • “Outstanding teachers show commitment to and ownership of the classroom and always seek new strategies.” • “I know I have an excellent teacher when that teacher has content knowledge, is excited, goes the extra mile by participating in extracurricular activities, has great lesson plans…When you are in his or her room observing, you don’t realize you’ve been there for 45 minutes. The time passes quickly.” • “An excellent teacher is one who’s engaging, excites students, comes prepared…and is reflective.” • “Before entering the classroom, I can hear sounds of engagement – students are all trying to do their best to show that they’re learning. The teacher’s conducting, not just standing there teaching.”

10. Hillcrest’s Framework for Teaching and Learning • Planning and Preparation • Demonstrate knowledge of content and pedagogy • Select and set instructional outcomes • Demonstrate knowledge of resources • Design coherent instruction • Design student assessments • The Classroom Environment • Create and environment of respect and rapport • Establish a culture for learning • Manage classroom procedures • Manage student behavior • Organize physical space • Professional Responsibilities • Reflect on teaching • Maintaining accurate records • Communicate with families • Participate in a professional learning community • Grow and develop professionally • Demonstrate professionalism • Instruction • Communicate with students • Use questioning techniques and discussion techniques • Engage students in learning • Use assessment in instruction • Demonstrate flexibility and responsiveness