Resource Guide for the Standards and Rubric for School Improvement

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Standard One:
School and District Leadership



Standard Two:
Curriculum, Instruction, And Professional Development

2.1 Alignment With Standards
2.2 Monitoring Curriculum
2.3 Communication With Stakeholders
2.4 Common Academic Core
2.5 Monitoring and Evaluation
2.6 Instructional Planning
2.7 Instructional Materials
2.8 Technology Integration
2.9 Differentiated Instruction
2.10 Research-Based Strategies
2.11 Long-term Professional Growth
2.12 Teachers Role in Student Success
2.13 Continuous Professional Development
2.14 Evaluation Process
2.15 Content Knowledge



Standard Three:
Classroom And School Assessments



Standard Four:
School Culture, Climate, And Communication



ADE Calendar of Events



Best Practices Academies

2.6 Instructional Planning

Instructional planning links Arizona Academic Standards and aligns curriculum, instruction, practice, formative assessment, summative assessment, review/re-teaching and appropriate interventions to promote student achievement.

Standards-based education is teaching directed toward student mastery of defined standards. Now that nearly all states have adopted curriculum standards, teachers are expected to teach in such a way that students achieve the standards. Experts say this means that teachers must have a clear idea what each standard means, including how it can and will be assessed, and that teachers should monitor individual student achievement of each important standard.

Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development,
Lexicon of Learning

Suggested Evidence
  • Random sample – teacher lesson plans
  • Observation
  • Teacher interviews
  • Classroom assessments
  • Schoolwide assessments
Level of Performance: Exceeds Standards
  • All instructional activities are aligned to instructional objectives and the AZ Academic Standards.
  • All teachers consistently use formative assessment data to determine correct level of difficulty for individual or group instruction.
  • All teachers consistently assign practice activities that are aligned with the concept and thinking level of the lesson objective(s).
  • All teachers consistently include review and re-teaching in instructional planning.

Related Resources

Tools
NEW! Effective Instruction for Middle School Students with Reading Difficulties: The Reading Teacher's Sourcebook   
Not all children learn to read by the time they leave elementary school. This source book created by the University of Texas at Austin offers an overview of research-based instructional approaches for teaching struggling readers.
Author: The University of Texas at Austin
Publication Date: 2007
Publisher: The University of Texas at Austin

NEW! AZ READS: Resources and Publications for Reading Instruction   
This link connects to the AZ READS portion of the Arizona Department of Education's webpage. Many resources are listed.
Publisher: Arizona Department of Education

NEW! Presenter's Guide: Response to Intervention and SLD Identification   
This presenter’s guide is intended to support the PowerPoint slides by offering
· Suggested background readings;
· Talking points relative to each slide;
· Suggested activities to enhance learning opportunities for participants;
· Tips to facilitate the professional growth experience; and
· Suggested readings for extension
Publication Date: July 2007
Publisher: IDEA, NASDSE, US Office of Special Education

A Model for Teaching Writing to Struggling Writers   
Resource from Anita Archer Conference
Author: Anita Archer

Acronym Finder   
Acronym Finder has over 60,000 entries in its data base.
Publication Date: 1988-2008
Publisher: The Acronym Finder

AIMS Website   
This website provides Arizona teachers, administrators, students, and parents access to the AIMS Hotline phone number for tutoring help, an overview of the AIMS test, sample tests, study guides, and information about tuition waivers.
Publisher: Arizona Department of Education

Arizona’s Professional Teacher Standards   
This document lists all of Arizona's Professional Teacher Standards.
Publisher: Arizona Department of Education

Backwards Design from Standards to Lesson Plans   
This tool is a lesson plan example based on the resource developed by Wiggins and McTighe (1999).
Publisher: Siskiyou County Office of Education

Before, During, and After Passage Reading   
Resource from Anita Archer Conference
Author: Anita Archer

Competent Teachers, Competent Students   
Resource from the Anita Archer conference.
Author: Anita Archer

Critical Attributes Rubric   
Resource from Anita Archer Conference
Author: Anita Archer

Effective Reading Instruction In Intermediate and Secondary Grades   
Resource from Anita Archer Conference
Author: Anita Archer

Elementary Assessment Tools   
These tools are product and process assessments and links to other assessment websites.
Publisher: Baltimore County of Public Schools

Instructional Planning Templates   
This site shares templates for instructional plans, including unit goals, introducing new knowledge, practicing, reviewing and applying knowledge, and assessment.
Publisher: Tucson Unified School District

Language Arts and Social Studies for Middle School Teachers - PowerPoint with Notes   
This Power Point with Notes was developed to assist middle school teachers who are asked to include language arts instruction in their social studies classes. Suggested Strategies for vocabulary development and summary writing are given.

To access crucial notes concerning this presentation, please view PowerPoint in full screen mode by right clicking and selecting "Full Screen." Next, right click on the screen again, select "Screen" and then "Speaker Notes."

Author: Carol Warren and Marilee Beach
Publication Date: 2006
Publisher: Arizona Department of Education

Reading Strategies for Mastering Academic Content   
Resource from Anita Archer Conference
Author: Anita Archer

Reading Strategies for Mastering Academic Content During Reading   
Resource from Anita Archer Conference
Author: Anita Archer

Rubistar   
This tool allows you to create and print out a new rubric. You must register in order to save and edit your rubrics. Registration is free.

Scientific Prefixes and Suffixes   
Scientific Prefixes and Suffixes from Anita Archer Conference

Strategies for Written Expression   
Resource from Anita Archer Conference
Author: Anita Archer

Teaching the WHAT and HOW for any Genre   
Resource from Anita Archer Conference
Author: Anita Archer

The Big Picture: Designing Secondary Literacy Programs   
Resource from Anita Archer Conference
Author: Anita Archer

The Educator’s Reference Desk   
This site contains a searchable database of lesson plans, resource guide and question archive of responses to questions from Ask ERIC (1992-2003).
Publisher: Educator's Reference Desk

What is Understanding by Design   
Presents an overview of the Understanding by Design framework which emphasizes the critical role that teachers play in designing student learning using a backward planning design process, a set of standards with related rubrics, and a comprehensive training package to help teachers share and improve their lessons and assessments.
Author: Grant Wiggins and Jay McTighe
Publisher: Authentic Education


Articles
NEW! A Synopsis of a Synthesis of Empirical Research on Teaching Mathematics to Low-Achieving Students [1-12]   
Baker, Gersten, and Lee (2002) synthesized findings from 28 years of research on interventions for students struggling in learning math. This synopsis highlights the key findings from this synthesis and offers recommendations for implementation.
Author: Scott Baker, Russell Gersten and Dae-Sik Lee
Publication Date: 2007
Publisher: Center on Instruction

NEW! Academic Literacy Instruction for Adolescents: A Guidance Document from the Center on Instruction   
This document developed by the Center on Instruction's Reading, Special Education and ELL Strands makes recommendations for improving literacy-related instruction in the content areas or across the entire school day, interventions for students reading below grade level, and recommendations for supporting literacy development in adolescent English language learners.
Author: Joseph K. Torgeson et al.
Publication Date: 2007
Publisher: Center on Instruction

NEW! Delivering a Lecture   
This excerpt, from "Tools for Teaching", details several strategies for better lectures.
Author: Barbara Gross Davis
Publication Date: 1993
Publisher: Jossey-Bass

NEW! Encouraging Girls in Math and Science [K-12]   
This practice guide from the National Center for Education Research includes specific recommendations and the quality of evidence that supports those recommendations educators can use to encourage girls in the fields of math and science.
Publication Date: 2007
Publisher: National Center for Education Research Institute of Education Sciences

NEW! Improving Adolescent Literacy: Effective Classroom and Intervention Practices   
This guide offers strategies that teachers can use to increase the reading ability of adolescent students. The recommendations aim to help students gain more from their reading tasks, improve their motivation for and engagement in the learning process, and assist struggling readers who may need intensive and individualized attention.

Publication Date: 2008
Publisher: National Center for Education Evaluation and Regional Assistance

NEW! Screening for Mathematics Difficulties in K-3 Students [K-3]   
This report looks at the key features needed to screen kindergarten through third grade students for difficulties in mathematics.
Author: Benjamin S. Clarke, Russell Gersten, Nancy C. Jordan
Publication Date: 2007
Publisher: Center on Instruction

NEW! What Content-Area Teachers Should Know About Adolescent Literacy   
This report suggests methods for improving adolescent learners reading and writings skills in the classroom.
Author: Kris Anstrom and Trenace Richardson Tanya Shuy Rebecca J. Moak and Mary A. Campbell Peggy McCardle a
Publication Date: 2007
Publisher: National Institute of Child Health and Human Development

NEW! Writing Next: Effective Strategies to Improve Writing of Adolescents in Middle and High Schools   
Writing Next: Effective Strategies to Improve Writing of Adolescents in Middle and High Schools, commissioned by Carnegie Corporation of New York and published by the Alliance for Excellent Education, discusses eleven specific teaching techniques that research suggests will help improve the writing abilities of the country’s 4th- to 12th-grade students.
Author: Steve Graham and Dolores Perin
Publication Date: 2007
Publisher: Alliance for Excellent Education

NEW! Foundations for Success: Report of the National Mathematics Advisory Panel   
On March 13, 2008, the National Mathematics Advisory Panel presented its Final Report to the President of the United States and the Secretary of Education. This report contains information for parents, teachers, policy makers, the research community.
Publication Date: 2008
Publisher: U.S. Department of Education

NEW! How Spelling Supports Reading   
"Research has shown that learning to spell and learning to read rely on much of the same underlying knowledge — such as the relationships between letters and sounds — and, not surprisingly, that spelling instruction can be designed to help children better understand that key knowledge, resulting in better reading." Louisa Moats
Author: Louisa C. Moats
Publication Date: Winter 2005/2006
Publisher: American Educator

NEW! How Spelling Supports Reading: And Why It Is More Regular and Predictable Than You May Think   
Dr. Moats sites the research that connects spelling and learning to read with similar knowledge structures and then provides “Key Content and Strategies for Kindergarten through Seventh Grade.
Author: Louisa C. Moats
Publication Date: Winter 2005-2006
Publisher: American Educators online

NEW! Interventions for Adolescent Struggling Readers: A Meta-Analysis with Implications for Practice   
This report focuses on interventions designed to improve students' use of reading comprehension strategies. It also considers the impact of interventions that target improved reading vocabulary, accurate decoding of unfamiliar words in text, and increased reading fluency.
Author: Nancy Scammacca, Greg Roberts, Sharon Vaughn, Meaghan Edmonds, Jade Wexler
Publication Date: 2007
Publisher: Center on Instruction

NEW! Literacy Instruction in the Content Areas: Getting to the Core of Middle and High School Improvement   
This report contends that increased expectations are best met by providing added instruction that corresponds with the specific reading and writing requirements of each academic course in middle and high school.
Author: Rafael Heller and Cynthia Greenleaf
Publication Date: 2007
Publisher: Alliance for Excellent Education

NEW! Mathematics Intervention at the Secondary Prevention Level of a Multi-Tier Prevention System: Six Key Principles   
The author lists and describes six principles necessary for RtI in mathematics at a secondary level.
Author: Lynn S. Fuchs, Ph.D.
Publication Date: Retrieved November 2008
Publisher: RTI Action Network

NEW! Some Classroom Management Tips   
This article by master teacher, Judi Fenton, provides management tips for a more efficient and productive classroom.
Author: Judi Fenton
Publisher: Teachers Network

NEW! Three Simple Secrets of School-Based Coaching   
The author gives some anecdotal pointers she has learned over her 15 years as a school-based literacy coach.
Author: Juli Kendall
Publication Date: November 29, 2006
Publisher: Teacher Magazine

Active Participation   
Hand-out provided at the Anita Archer Conference
Author: Anita Archer

Assessing Student Engagement Rates   
This article defines student engagement and describes various methods used to measure it, both in empirical research studies and at the classroom level.
Author: Chapman, Elaine
Publication Date: 2003
Publisher: Educational Resources Information Center (ERIC)

Assessing Student Progress with a Rubric   
In this article, the authors discuss the benefits of using rubrics in the classroom, and how these rubrics can be used as formative assessment instruments.
Author: Harry and Rosemary Wong
Publication Date: 2006, October
Publisher: Teacher.Net Gazette

Beyond Islands of Excellence: What Districts Can Do to Improve Instruction and Achievement in All Schools   
Profiling five districts that have promoted improvement across their entire school systems, this report examines their motivation to begin reform, guiding strategies, role of professional development in their efforts, the impact of various stakeholders on these efforts, and distribution of leadership among stakeholders to facilitate improvement.
Publication Date: 2003, March
Publisher: Learning First Alliance

Building Reading Proficiency at the Secondary Level   
This article summarizes the research on what struggling secondary readers need in order to build reading proficiency. The discussion is organized around four factors: (a) the motivation to read, (b) the ability to decode print, (c) the ability to comprehend language, and (c) the ability to transact with text.
Publication Date: 2003
Publisher: Southwest Educational Development Laboratory (SEDL)

Contexts for Engagement and Motivation in Reading   
This article discusses engaged reading and instructional contexts that foster reading engagement and motivation.
Author: John T. Guthrie
Publication Date: 2001
Publisher: Reading Online

Differentiation in Diverse Settings: A Consultants Experiences in Two Similar School Districts   
Dr. Tomlinson describes how two districts and their leadership pursue different approaches to addressing the issues of implementing differentiated instruction throughout their schools. Particular attention is given to outlining an effective leadership plan for success in meeting the needs of diverse learners through differentiation.
Author: Carol Ann Tomlinson
Publication Date: August, 2004
Publisher: American Association of School Administrators

Dynamic Vocabulary Instruction in Secondary Classrooms   
Anita Archer Power Point
Author: Anita Archer

Eight Questions about Implementing Standards-Based Education   
This article, written by Robert Marzano, presents eight questions that are relevant to how standards-based education affects classroom instruction and assessment at the local level.
Author: Robert Marzano
Publication Date: 1996
Publisher: Mid-continent Research for Education and Learning (McREL)

Meeting the Curricular Needs of Academically Low-Achieving Students in Middle Grade Mathematics   
This article discusses a study in which the researchers contrasted two curricula for teaching challenging mathematics to students who were at risk for special education in mathematics.
Author: John Woodward and Cyrus Brown
Publication Date: 2006
Publisher: The Journal of Special Education

Quality Curriculum and Instruction for Highly Able Students   
Dr. Carol Ann Tomlinson describes how the highly able learner begins their journey further down the learning curve then their similar age peers. Curriculum and instruction must be modified to meet the needs of these “advanced learners” to challenge them and provide opportunity for growth.
Author: Carol Ann Tomlinson
Publication Date: Spring, 2005
Publisher: The Ohio State University

Reading Next: A Vision for Action and Research in Middle and High School Literacy   
The authors outline 15 key elements of an effective literacy intervention, and call on public and private stakeholders to invest in the literacy of middle and high school students today, while simultaneously building the knowledge base.
Author: Gina Biancarosa and Catherine Snow
Publication Date: 2004
Publisher: Alliance for Excellent Education

Realizing the Promise of Standards-Based Education   
The authors believe that the standards movement can contribute significantly to higher achievement if we acknowledge that "there is too much to teach and too many options for what can be taught." According to the authors, schools would benefit from decreasing the amount of content they try to cover. They cite several examples of districts where this is happening. The authors describe concrete steps that can be taken to improve results.
Author: Mike Schmoker and Robert J. Marzano
Publication Date: 1999, March
Publisher: Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD)

Target Time Toward Teachers   (to edit this resource, contact WestEd)
Publication Date: 1999
Publisher: National Staff Development Council (NSDC)

Teachers Learn How To Improve Instruction: Lesson Study   
This article discusses the seven steps to effectively create a lesson study team.
Author: Joan Richardson
Publication Date: 2004, March
Publisher: National Staff Development Council (NSDC)

Teaching Science: Meeting the Academic Needs of Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Students   
This article discusses ways for teachers to address the academic needs of students who are culturally and linguistically diverse.
Author: Lynne E. Houtz
Publication Date: 2004
Publisher: HighBeam Research

The Academic Word List   
Word list from Anita Archer Conference
Author: Averil Coxhead, 2000

The Clarifying Routine: Elaborating Vocabulary Instruction   
This article describes a vocabulary strategy that can be used to help students develop in-depth understanding of key terms.
Author: Edwin S. Ellis
Publication Date: 2002
Publisher: LD OnLine

The Concept of Formative Assessment   
The author discusses the importance of the "many opportunities" to assess how students are learning and then use this information to make beneficial changes in instruction during the course of a year. Resources for teachers interested in formative assessment are included.
Author: Carol Boston
Publication Date: 2002

The First Five Minutes Are Critical   
The authors explain the importance of making every second in the classroom count, as well as provide examples of how to utilize the first five minutes of class.
Author: Harry and Rosemary Wong
Publication Date: 2000, November
Publisher: Teacher.Net Gazette

Using Instructional Design Strategies To Foster Curiosity   
This article discusses strategies that can foster engagement by increasing student curiosity in lesson content.
Author: Marilyn P. Arnone
Publication Date: 2003
Publisher: Educational Resources Information Center (ERIC)

What Research Says about Small Classes and Their Effects   
This WestEd report focuses on class size and discusses current research surrounding this topic.
Author: Bruce J. Biddle and David C. Berliner
Publication Date: 2002
Publisher: WestEd

“Bumping Into Spicy, Tasty Words That Catch Your Tongue”: A Formative Experiment on Vocabulary Instruction   
This article describes the vocabulary program and the outcomes of a study based on increasing student vocabulary.
Author: James F. Baumann, Donna Ware, and Elizabeth Carr Edwards
Publication Date: 2007, October
Publisher: International Reading Association


Useful Links
NEW! Dr. Archer Video Series   
“Dr. Anita Archer is a talented author and beloved teacher of teachers. This video series is one of her many gifts to the educational community. Produced with support from the Sonoma County Office of Education, it is made available at no cost thanks to her generous spirit.
The series addresses strategic literacy instruction in grades K-8 using a “research to practice” approach grounded in pragmatic real-world application. Each video is 4 to 8 minutes long, has a particular strategic focus, and was shot unrehearsed in real time. A short viewing guide is included for each video, providing guidance for viewing and feedback for post-viewing applications.” Sonoma County Office of Education

Author: Dr. Anita Archer
Publication Date: 2008
Publisher: Sonoma County Office of Education

NEW! The Final Report of the National Mathematics Advisory Panel   
On March 13, 2008, the National Mathematics Advisory Panel presented its Final Report to the President of the United States and the Secretary of Education.
Publication Date: 2008
Publisher: U.S. Department of Education

NEW! Academic Literacy Instruction for Adolescents   
This PowerPoint presentation discusses resources and areas of knowledge that can assist in successful academic literacy instruction.
Author: Joseph Torgesen
Publication Date: 2007
Publisher: Center on Instruction

NEW! Educational Java™ Programs   
This site was started in November of 1997 with the purpose of providing Java™ Applets that can be used as tools to help and enhance the education of children both at school and at home.(Description take directly from the site)
Publication Date: 1997-1999
Publisher: Arcytech

NEW! Instructional Strategies Online (Saskatoon Public School Division)   
This site includes information on concept maps, graphic organizers, Jigsaw, learning contracts, literature circles, RAFT, Readers' Theater, response journals, structured controversy, story mapping, synectics, Think Pair Share, Web quests, word walls, etc.
Publisher: 2004-2008 Saskatoon Public Schools, Inc. All rights reserved.

NEW! Making Sense in Social Studies   
This site includes information on carousel brainstorming, clock buddies, column notes, graphic organizers, history frames, inquiry charts, KWL, opinion –proof, questioning the author, RAFTs, selective highlighting, Think-Pair-Share, 3-2-1 summaries, word maps, and other strategies.
Author: Raymond C. Jones

NEW! National Library of Virtual Math Manipulatives   
The National Library of Virtual Manipulatives is a NSF supported project that began in 1999 to develop a library of uniquely interactive web-based virtual manipulatives or concept tutorials, mostly in the form of Java applets, for mathematics instruction (K-12 emphasis). The project includes dissemination and extensive internal and external evaluation. (Description taken directly from the site)
Publication Date: 1999-2007
Publisher: Utah State University

NEW! NCTM Illuminations   
This site provides dozens of virtual math manipulatives with lessons divided by grade level and aligned to NCTM standards. Lessons are detailed and include activity sheets.
Publication Date: 2000-2008
Publisher: National Council of Teachers of Mathematics

NEW! Pattern Block Activities on the Web   
Dr. Margo Lynn Mankus shares her mathematics lessons, activities and blackline masters for manipulatives.
Publication Date: 1998
Publisher: Margo Lynn Mankus

NEW! RTI Response to Intervention Glossary   
This is a list of terms and acronyms used when discussing RtI, Response to Intervention.
Publication Date: 2007
Publisher: IDEA Partnership, NASDSE, & US Office of Special Education

NEW! Science Resource Page   
This page provides links to help teachers implement the Arizona Science Standard, including links to the Science Standard, AIMS information related to science, ADE professional development opportunities, state and national organizations, and resources for science teachers.
Publisher: Arizona Department of Education

NEW! Tiered Instruction/Intervention   
The site offers details and information on the RtI process and articles as well as descriptions of the three tiers.
Publication Date: Retrieved November 2008
Publisher: RTI Action Network

NEW! Tips from Teachers   
The COMP Resource Library contains “Tips from Teachers” where educators from around the country post helpful hints under the topics of Room and Materials Arrangement, Rules and Procedures, Managing Student Work and Accountability, Maintaining Good Student Behavior, Planning and Organizing Instruction, Conducting and Facilitating Instruction to Maintain Lesson Momentum, Getting the Year Off to a Good Start, Climate Communications and Self-Management.
Publisher: COMP Classroom Organization and Mangement Program

Academic K-12 Standards   
This page displays the ADE Standards by area and level.
Publisher: Arizona Department of Education

Dr. Grammar- Grammar Resources   
The Dr. Grammar website, hosted by the University of Northern Iowa, offers answers to almost any grammatical question concerning verbs, acronyms, parallelism, possessives, and other grammar-related topics.
Author: Professor James Hiduke
Publisher: University of Northern Iowa

Graphic Organizers- www.graphic.org   
This site, www.graphic.org, lists many types of graphic organizers that can be used to help students organize their thoughts when learning new concepts.
Author: Greg Freeman

Meeting the Challenge: All Students Achieving Proficiency by 2014   
The Southwest Comprehensive Center held a regional conference for SEA leadership teams on April 4-5, 2006. As the centerpiece of the conference, CC staff worked with Content Centers to identify research studies. This page contains the summaries of the findings.
Publication Date: 2006
Publisher: Southwest Comprehensive Center

Partnership for the Assessment of Standards-Based Science (PASS): Frequently Asked Questions and Sample Assessment Items   
This document answers frequently asked questions about the PASS Science Assessment, the only widely available assessment product designed specifically for standards-based science programs.
Publication Date: 2005
Publisher: WestEd

The International Reading Association (IRA)   
The International Reading Association is an organization devoted to promoting high levels of literacy for all people. Their site includes booklists, lesson plans, and other resources for teachers.

The Standards Project - Standards Activities Page   
The McREL educational laboratory has compiled a plethora of educational activities covering many subjects and grade levels. New activities are added each year.
Publisher: Mid-continent Research for Education and Learning (McREL)

Understanding by Design Exchange   
This website, based on the book by authors Grant Wiggins and Jay McTighe, contains an electronic template for unit design and short tutorials and self-checks to guide curriculum designers. A searchable database of curriculum units created by educators from around the country allows you to download and adapt units for your classroom.


Other Resources
How Students Learn -- Science in the Classroom: A Targeted Report for Teachers [4-12]   
This resource offers a research foundation for instructional methods as well as a rich description of application of the research in real classroom settings.
Author: Donovan, M. Suzanne and John D. Bransford, Editors
Publication Date: 2005
Publisher: National Academy Press

Understanding by Design   
Author: Grant Wiggins and Jay McTighe
Publication Date: 1998
Publisher: Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD)




©2005 WestEd. All rights reserved.

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