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

2.12 Teachers Role in Student Success

Teachers and staff promote high expectations of students and recognize and accept their professional role in student success and failure.

Value-added analysis compares teachers, using a predicted pass rate for their students based on each student's prior achievement. With that information, you can examine each teacher's actual performance in light of his or her students’ predicted and actual performance. Over a large group of students, you can assume that greater-than-expected gains reflect especially good teaching, or a high value-added by the teacher. This analysis method also permits systematic comparisons across teachers and schools.

Kati Haycock,
Creating An Appetite for Change: Leader’s Perspectives on Promoting K-16 Reform

Suggested Evidence
  • Individual teacher professional development plans
  • Teacher observation evaluation
  • Peer observations
  • Professional activity reports
  • Evidence of improved student achievement
Level of Performance: Exceeds Standards
  • Most teachers consistently go beyond required professional development to enhance their teaching skills and as a result there is evidence of improved student achievement.
  • All teachers reflect on their classroom practices and student achievement in an effort to improve their effectiveness. There are regularly scheduled times for individual and group reflection.

Related Resources

Tools
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

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

Dialogue Guide for Facilitators   
Dialogue Guides are models for conducting interactive discussions across stakeholders in states and districts. These packages make new use of dependable and publicly available information. Each Guide circulates a common set of source materials and suggested procedures for involving various audiences. In this manner, stakeholders (families, practitioners, professional associations, professors, policymakers, legislators) all over the country can begin interacting in new ways around implementation issues.
Publication Date: May 2005
Publisher: IDEA, NASDSE, US Office of Special Education

Improving Teacher Evaluations   
Teacher evaluations are often designed to serve two purposes: to measure teacher competence and to foster professional development and growth. This digest discusses characteristics of effective teacher evaluations and some common teacher concerns.
Author: Ronald T. C. Boyd
Publication Date: 1989

Teacher Data Framework   
Intended to help communities evaluate teacher quality, this tool presents guiding questions to determine the characteristics of teachers within a district and its various schools, the policies and practices that affect teachers' characteristics, the impact of people and institutions outside the school on teacher quality, and the characteristics of those entering and leaving the profession.
Publisher: Public Education Network


Articles
NEW! Dropout Prevention   
This guide on reducing high school dropout rates provides recommendations and strategies such as identifying and advocating for at-risk students, implementing programs to improve behavior and social skills, and partnering with community groups.
Publication Date: 2008

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

NEW! Assisting Students Struggling with Reading: Response to Intervention (RtI) and Multi-Tier Intervention in the Primary Grades   
The IES Practice Guide has researched and evidenced based strategies for teachers to use when identifying and helping their primary struggling readers.
Publication Date: 2009, February
Publisher: Institute of Education Sciences: NCEE

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! 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

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

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

Assessment FOR Learning, the Achievement Gap, and Truly Effective Schools   
"As the mission of schools changes from ranking students to ensuring that all learn to specified standards, Mr. Stiggins argues that the purpose and form of assessments must change as well."
Author: Rick Stiggins
Publication Date: 2008
Publisher: ETS

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)

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

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

Effective Literacy and English Language Instruction for English Learners in the Elementary Grades   
This resource was developed by an expert panel convened by the Institute of Education Sciences. It provides a set of research-based recommendations that together constitute a plan for teaching literacy to K-5 English learners.
Publication Date: 2007
Publisher: Institute of Education Sciences, U.S. Department of Education

Good or Bad, What Teachers Expect from Students They Generally Get!   
High teacher expectations can raise achievement levels in all types of students. This article discusses ways that teachers can self-check to make sure they are requiring all students to meet their potential.
Author: Robert T Tauber
Publication Date: 1998
Publisher: Educational Resources Information Center (ERIC)

Good Teaching Matters – A Lot   
This article describes the impact of teacher effectiveness on student achievement. The report describes several large-scale studies on teacher effectiveness that provide convincing proof that teachers make a difference in the achievement of students. The complete report can be downloaded from the Education Trust web site.
Author: Kati Haycock
Publication Date: 1998
Publisher: Education Trust

Homework Requires Teamwork— Between Teachers and Parents   
Evidence is strong that homework improves student achievement, especially when coupled with strong parental support. Both teachers and parents should remember to place appropriate emphasis on the importance of homework.
Author: Dr. Robert C. Hanna
Publication Date: 2001
Publisher: Mackinac Center for Public Policy

How Schools Matter: The Link Between Teacher Classroom Practices and Student Academic Performance   
This study by the Arizona State University finds that the role of the teacher and the effects of classroom practices can contribute as much to student learning as the students themselves.
Author: Harold Wenglinsky
Publication Date: 2002, February
Publisher: Education Policy Analysis Archives- Arizona State University

Implementing Performance Assessment in the Classroom   
This article defines the purpose of performance-based assessment, and explains how to choose an activity, define criteria, create rubrics, and assess performance. While intended for classroom teachers, it provides good background information for principals to share with staff.
Author: Amy Brualdi
Publication Date: 1998
Publisher: Practical Assessment, Research & Evaluation

Increasing Student Attendance: Strategies from Research and Practice   
This publication offers research-based ideas for developing better policies and practices to increase attendance.
Publication Date: 2004
Publisher: Northwest Regional Educational Laboratory

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

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

Study Links Teacher Quality and Student Progress   
The author describes a study of students and teachers in grades 3-8 released by the Cincinnati Public Schools that showed that teachers who rate highest under the Cincinnati Public Schools’ teacher evaluation system also show the greatest gains, on average, in their students’ achievement on proficiency tests.
Author: Jennifer Mrozowski
Publication Date: 2002, February

Teacher Development: Policies That Make Sense   
This article discusses the need to extend teacher preparation and development.
Author: Joan McRobbie
Publication Date: 2000
Publisher: WestEd

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

The Real Causes of Higher Achievement   
Author Mike Schmoker discusses the importance of teacher collaboration and curriculum alignment in creating an improved educational institution.
Author: Mike Schmoker
Publication Date: 2002, May
Publisher: Southwest Educational Development Laboratory

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)

Using Technology to Improve Student Achievement   
This article provides various ways that technology can assist teachers and administrators in improving academic test scores.
Author: Margaret Honey
Publication Date: 2005
Publisher: North Central Regional Educational Laboratory (NCREL)

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


Useful Links
NEW! Time to Act: An Agenda for Advancing Adolescent Literacy for College and Career Success   
This report focuses on standards and assessments, data systems, great teachers and leaders, and re-engineering struggling schools.
Publication Date: 2009
Publisher: Carnegie Council for Advancing Adolescent Literacy

DisciplineHelp.com   
This reference guide provides information on over 117 student misbehaviors. Sample solutions are also provided.


Other Resources
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

Arizona Teacher Certification Requirements   
This site answers any questions pertaining to teacher certification in Arizona.




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