USING THE INSTRUCTIONAL BLUEPRINT TO GUIDE TIER I WORK

Goals of this Webinar Provide an overview around the Blueprint for Assessment, Curriculum, and Instruction Explore ways in which DN teams can use the Instructional Blueprint to guide their work Offer an opportunity to ask questions about the Instructional Blueprint

What is the Blueprint? The Blueprint for Assessment, Curriculum, and Instruction lays the foundation for teaching in learning in every Diplomas Now classroom.

The Blueprint… States the key tenets of DN’s approach to assessment, curriculum, and instruction—including the critical links between each area Outlines the specific evidence-based practices that bring these tenets to life in each classroom Provides specific criteria for assessing and refining the approach to teaching in learning in a Diplomas Now school Helps understand what teaching and learning looks like and sounds like in every classroom (not just those implementing TD Extra Help Curriculum)

Key Tenets of the Blueprint (What We Believe) # 1 All decisions surrounding assessment, curriculum and instruction are informed by a variety of assessment techniques and data sources.

This looks like… Teachers considering test scores, grades, anecdotal information, student input, other sources when developing lessons Using multiple types of assessments (quizzes, papers, projects, performances, etc.) to determine students’ mastery of standards and content Teams discussing multiple pieces of information when determining an appropriate course performance intervention during an EWI meeting

Key Tenets of the Blueprint (What We Believe) # 2 Collaboration and shared vision for assessment, curriculum and instruction are necessary for student success.

This looks like… Principals and teachers articulating what teaching and learning should look like in their school Schools translating this common vision for teaching and learning into key instructional resources (lesson plan templates, walkthrough forms, class schedules, course syllabi, professional development programs, course materials, etc.) Regular collaboration among teachers to engage in reflection and professional development focused on assessment, curriculum, and instruction

Key Tenets of the Blueprint (What We Believe) #3 Ongoing tiers of support with opportunities to reflect on instructional approaches are keys to successful implementation of these practices.

This looks like… Providing students an array of supports (double dose courses, extra help labs, tutoring, accelerated courses) Providing teachers with ongoing, job-embedded professional development through the use of instructional coaches Utilizing processes for utilizing reflection to modify the approach to teaching and learning over time

Key Tenets of the Blueprint (What We Believe) #4 All curriculum and assessment are designed to create learning experiences that build on students’ interests and develop their strengths.

What this looks like… Developing relationships with students to learn more about their interests Using our knowledge of our students’ interests to select course materials, plan instruction, design assessments, EXAMPLE: Knowing that students were very interested in the upcoming Presidential Election, a math teacher used polling and other “electoral math” to teach probabilities Providing students with authentic learning activities and assessments whenever possible EXAMPLE: To assess students’ mastery of persuasive writing, the teacher has students write letters to the editor and submits letters to the newspaper

Essential Components These essential components are explicit criteria that help define what we consider effective assessment, effective instruction, and effective curriculum

Essential Components The blueprint outlines essential components related to each of the three major areas: Assessment Curriculum Instruction

Essential components of Assessment The essential components of assessment provide guidelines on how DN schools should gauge students’ learning. HOW COULD WE BRING THESE TO LIFE?

Essential Components of Curriculum The essential components of curriculum provide guidelines on how DN schools should construct courses, units, and individual lessons. HOW COULD WE BRING THESE TO LIFE?

Essential Components of Instruction The essential components of instruction provide guidelines on how instruction should be delivered in Diplomas Now classrooms. HOW COULD WE BRING THESE TO LIFE?

Questions About the Essential Components? Do you have any clarifying questions about the Essential Components?

Next Steps for School Teams In order to utilize the Blueprint as a resource at your school, an important first step is to ensure that the DN team understands the Blueprint and how it aligns, compliments, and/or contradicts with your school. We strongly recommend finding opportunities in the weeks to come to work with your DN team—especially your instructional facilitators—to reflect together on the Blueprint in your local context

Suggested Reflection Activities Comparing the Blueprint to your district’s standards/guidelines/approach to assessment, curriculum, and instruction Comparing the Blueprint to your school’s instructional framework Review the school’s mission and vision and compare to the Blueprint Review your schools tools that support teaching and learning compared to the Blueprint. Some of these tools might include: Lesson plan template School Improvement Plan PD Calendar/Plan Walkthrough/Observation Form Grading/Assessment System

Reflective Questions When Considering the Blueprint 1) How does our school’s vision for instruction complement or contradict the Blueprint? 2) In what ways do our instructional supports (PD, lesson plan templates, evaluations, walk through forms, curriculum guides, etc.) reflect the tenets and essential components in the Blueprint?

Reflective Questions When Considering the Blueprint 3) How does our school’s transformation plan reflect progress towards deeper implementation of the tenets and essential components of the Blueprint 4) What’s my individual role in helping our school progress towards deeper implementation of the tenets and essential components of the Blueprint

Reflective Questions When Considering the Blueprint 3) How might the Blueprint help us refine our work in tiered intervention settings? 4) How does our vision and strategies around school culture and climate complement or contradict the Blueprint?

Q&A