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

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