1. Creating Sustainability with an Academic Vocabulary Plan
Dr. Hope Appel & Micki Wesley
Vernon ISD & Region 9 ESC
AIE Conference 2017

2. Although the idea of academic vocabulary is not a new concept, the creation of a sustainable, a tiered word list implemented district wide is.

3. Marzano Research, www.marzanoresearch.com
“Data collected as far back as 1941 indicates there is roughly a 6,000-word gap between students at the 25th and 50th percentiles on standardized test in grades 4–12.”
What is also clear is that there is a vast difference in the vocabularies of low-versus high-achieving students. Data collected as far back as 1941 indicates there is roughly a 6,000-word gap between students at the 25th and 50th percentiles on standardized test in grades 4–12. Since the 1980s, researchers have estimated the difference to be anywhere between 4,500 and 5,400 words for low- versus high-achieving students (for a discussion, see Marzano, 2009). This means we can take the commonsense connection between vocabulary and content one step further and conclude that the size of a student's vocabulary is directly related to his or her academic achievement (p. 1).

4. ACADEMIC VOCABULARY PLAN TIERS:
Guaranteed Academic Vocabulary: Approximately 30 defined words per content and grade level.
Supporting Words: Vocabulary used repetitively.
Rigor/Metacognitive: Higher and lower order thinking skills; verbs
ESL/Special Education: Basic and Advanced words of comprehension

5. HIGH RELIABILITY SCHOOLS FRAMEWORK:
Flexibility for the campus to prioritize
Based upon the needs of the campus, populations, and community expectations
Provides differentiation through levels of understanding of content and rigor
Flexibility Special populations are addressed with by the campus to determine the appropriate vocabulary needs

6. VERTICAL ALIGNMENT DISTRICT WIDE:
Determine strengths & weaknesses at each grade level, content area, and how taught at each level.
Meet as campus teams in PLC
Meet campus to campus
ONE document to see everyone’s alignment
Base alignment on data: CFA’s, PLC Determined, TAKS, STAAR Early Literacy, STAAR, EOC, etc.

7. PROCESS: All academic vocabulary words are determined through PLC.
The words come from the TEKS, STAAR, EOC, vertical alignment, and teacher determined.
May use TEKS Resource System, Lead4Ward, and curriculum.
Definitions come from TEKS Resource System which is a TEA approved definition.

8. CRITERIA Select Subject Specific words
Are essential for current content; not prior year
Requires direct instruction; difficult to learn without direct instruction
High probability of being assessed on state tests
No overlap between grades; Exception at HS where student enroll in different courses
Separate list of Supporting Terms
Separate list of Cognitive/Rigor Terms

9. HIGH RELIABILITY SCHOOLS FRAMEWORK
ESL / SPED
ACADEMIC
BASIC
ADVANCED
GUARANTEED
SUPPORTING
COGNITIVE
RIGOR

10. Guaranteed Academic Vocabulary
District Information Tab
Academic Vocabulary Plan

11. IMPLEMENTING THE PLAN Slow process; Living Document
Need buy-in from teachers
Need monitoring by teachers, PLC teams, & administrators
Lesson Plans; Word Walls
Walkthroughs; PowerWalks; Instructional Rounds; PCL meetings

12. CONTACT INFORMATION
Hope Appel, EdD
Asst. Superintendent
Curriculum & Instruction
ext. 2241
Micki Wesley
Director of Accountability & Compliance, ESC 9
Vernon ISD Wilbarger Street Vernon, Texas 76384