How do we sustain the focus of professional learning on
teaching practices and student learning to increase literacy?
It is critical to keep our teaching
student-centered, because if our students are not improving, then our practices
are not effective. In order to sustain
the focus of professional learning on any effective evidence-based practice, it
is essential to have the whole staff buy into the process. Therefore, it is 100% necessary to show
teachers the genuine, practical effects of their professional learning. Much like our students, if there is not an
internally motivated investment, there is unlikely to be success.
How do we transform data to inform instruction to increase
student progress?
When we
collect data (e.g. in Hoxie self-reports or via formative assessments), we can
triage to determine particular areas of student weakness. This happens in the “Analyze for Learning
Difficulties” section of SMARTER planning.
From there, we can Reach Enhancement Decisions that involve which
Content Enhancement Routines or Learning Strategies, as well as what
Co-teaching approaches, might be useful for improving the learning of ALL
students in our classrooms.
How do we describe responsive instruction and intervention
in our educational settings?
Responsive
instruction and intervention is, in many ways, exactly as it is written. As we analyze the learning difficulties of
our students and collect data on their progress with various concepts and
critical content, we must respond accordingly by selecting learning strategies
or content enhancement routines that will support the learning of our
students. In essence, we “respond” to
the needs of our students as we go through the process of SMARTER planning (and
cycle through it over and over again).
New Self-Test Question: How can we best present the positive influence of SIM CER's and LS to our fellow faculty members to ensure complete buy in?
