Clear, updated guidelines for increasing academic performance and providing educational equity for all students!This revised guide outlines 50 strategies for developing high-performing schools. Emphasizing educational parity for all students, the book is organized around six standards: Teach a well-crafted, focused, valid, and clear curriculumAlign assessments, programs, and instructional resources with curriculumPromote student equality and equityFocus on mastery learning and effective teaching strategiesProvide resources for establishing curriculum expectations, monitoring, and accountabilityInstitute effective district and school planning, staff development, and resource allocation to create a quality learning environment

PrefaceAcknowledgmentsAbout the AuthorsIntroductionSix Standards for High-Performing Schools1. Standard One: Establish a Well-Crafted, Focused, Valid, and Clear Curriculum to Direct Teaching Strategy 1: Embed External Assessment Target Objectives in the Written Content Standards and Link to State Standards Strategy 2: Have Clear and Precise District Curriculum Objectives - Content, Context, and Cognitive Type Strategy 3: Deeply Align Objectives From External Assessments Strategy 4: Sequence Objectives for Mastery Well Before They Are Tested Strategy 5: Provide a Feasible Number of Objectives to Be Taught Strategy 6: Identify Specific Objectives as Benchmark Standards Strategy 7: Place Objectives in a Teaching Sequence Strategy 8: Provide Access to Written Curriculum Documents and Direct the Objectives to Be Taught Strategy 9: Conduct Staff Development in Curriculum and Its Delivery2. Standard Two: Provide Assessments Aligned With the Curriculum Strategy 10: Develop Aligned District Pre-Post Criterion-Referenced Assessments Strategy 11: Have a Pool of Unsecured Test Items by Objective Strategy 12: Establish Secured Performance Benchmark Assessments Strategy 13: Conduct Assessment Training Strategy 14: Use Assessments Diagnostically Strategy 15: Teach Students to Be "Test Wise" Strategy 16: Establish a Reasonable Testing Schedule and Environment Strategy 17: Disaggregate Assessment Data Strategy 18: Maintain Student Progress Reports3. Standard Three: Align Program and Instructional Resources With the Curriculum and Provide Student Equality and Equity Strategy 19: Align Programs With the Curriculum to Ensure Congruity Strategy 20: Use Research Data That Document Results to Drive Program Selection, and Validate the Implementation of Programs With Action Research Strategy 21: Evaluate Programs to Determine Their Effectiveness in Strengthening Student Achievement of Curriculum Objectives Strategy 22: Align Textbooks and Instructional Resources With the District Curriculum Objectives and Assessment in Both Content and Context Dimensions Strategy 23: Use Technology in Design or Selection Procedures to Ensure Strong Connections to System Learning Expectations and Feedback Strategy 24: Provide Training in the Use of Instructional Resources and Their Alignment With System Curriculum Objectives - Content, Context, and Cognitive Type Strategy 25: Select or Modify Instructional Resources for Lessons to Ensure Full Alignment With System Objectives and Tested Learning Strategy 26: Place Students in Programs and Activities in an Equitable Manner and With Equal Access to the Curriculum Strategy 27: Implement Effective Programs and Strategies With English Language Learners4. Standard Four: Use a Mastery Learning Approach and Effective Teaching Strategies Strategy 28: Implement a Mastery Learning Model Strategy 29: Align Teaching With the Curriculum Strategy 30: Provide Differentiated Curriculum and Instruction as Well as Differentiated Time to Learn Strategy 31: Provide Practice to Master the Curriculum Strategy 32: Use Effective Instructional Practices Strategy 33: Use Powerful Vocabulary Development Strategies Strategy 34: Establish Individual Learning Plans for Low-Achieving Students5. Standard Five: Establish Curriculum Expectations, Monitoring, and Accountability Strategy 35: Provide for High Expectations for Achievement for Each Student Strategy 36: Monitor the Curriculum Strategy 37: Visit Classrooms and Provide Follow-up Strategy 38: Use Disaggregated Data in the Decision-Making Process Strategy 39: Focus Staff Appraisal on Professional Growth6. Standard Six: Institute Effective District and School Planning, Staff Development, and Resource Allocations, and Provide a Quality Learning Environment Strategy 40: Develop a District Planning Process That Is Strategic in Nature and Provides Guidance for the Development of District and School Long-Range Plans Strategy 41: Create and Implement a Singular, Focused, Multiyear District Plan That Incorporates Change Strategies for Higher Student Achievement Strategy 42: Align School Plans With the District Plan Strategy 43: Implement Aligned Teacher Training to Reach District and School Goals Strategy 44: Implement Administrative Training Aligned With the Curriculum and Its Assessment and District Plan Priorities Strategy 45: Provide Differentiated Staff Development Strategy 46: Link Resource Allocations to Goals, Objectives, Priorities, and Diagnosed Needs of the System Strategy 47: Provide Qualified and Adequate Personnel Strategy 48: Remove Incompetent Staff or Help Them Achieve Satisfactory Functioning Strategy 49: Provide a Quality Learning Environment Strategy 50: Provide Quality FacilitiesSummaryReferencesIndex