Working Together to Support ALL

StudentsSession 2: Focus on Student

Learning

Research FindingsO While the research is very clear and

supportive around the positive effects of family engagement, the research is even stronger when the involvement is linked to student learning. The best results for students and families were achieved when the core work of the partnership was both focused on improving achievement and designed to develop the knowledge and skills needed to provide this focus (Henderson & Mapp, 2002).

Examining the Research

Factors that Impact Student Achievement

Impact of Leadership

Student self-assessment/self-grading*Response to intervention*Teacher credibility*Providing formative assessments*Classroom discussion*Teacher clarity*Feedback*Reciprocal teaching*Teacher-student relationships fostered*Spaced vs. mass practice*Meta-cognitive strategies taught and usedAccelerationClassroom behavioral techniquesVocabulary programsRepeated reading programsCreativity programsmanagement techniques

Student prior achievementSelf-questioning by studentsStudy skillsProblem-solving teachingNot labeling studentsConcept mappingCooperative vs individualistic learningDirect instructionTactile stimulation programsMastery learningWorked examplesVisual-perception programsPeer tutoringCooperative vs competitive learningPhonics instructionStudent-centered teachingClassroom cohesionPeer influences

Think-Pair-Share

What do you predict are the next two factors?

OHome environmentOSocio-economic status

OIn other words, everything on the list has a greater effect on student achievement than the student’s background.

CommitmentsO We can respond to parental engagement

and poverty, but we cannot control them. O We can control the type, amount, and

quality of instruction we provide for students AND they have potentially, a greater impact on what students can achieve.

O As leaders of service, we need to not let us slip into the diminished expectation culture or send the message that quality schools can’t make a difference

Characteristics of Effective Instruction

Student-Centered Classrooms

O In student-centered classrooms, students are directly involved and invested in the discovery of their own knowledge. Through collaboration and cooperation with others, students engage in experiential learning which is authentic, holistic, and challenging. Curriculum and assessment are centered on meaningful performances in real-world contexts.

Teaching for Understanding

O Teaching for understanding is leading students to engage in a variety of thought- provoking activities such as explaining, finding evidence and examples, generalizing, applying, making analogies, and representing the topic in new ways.

Assessment for Learning

O Formative assessment is a process used by teachers and students as part of instruction that provides feedback to adjust ongoing teaching and learning to improve students’ achievement of core content. As assessment for learning, formative assessment practices provide students with clear learning targets, examples, and models.

Rigorous and Relevant Curriculum

O A rigorous and relevant curriculum is one that contains a high cognitive demand and is challenging to the student as they apply the essential concepts and skills to real world, complex and open-ended situations.

Teaching for Learner Differences

O Teaching for learner differences is about planning for and responding to variances among learners in the classroom in order to create the best learning experience possible. It also includes processes for determining the effectiveness of instruction, using data to guide instructional decision-making, and ensuring access to use and success with regard to the core curriculum for all students.

Group TaskO Brainstorm how the Characteristics of

Effective Instruction support and strengthen parent and family engagement.

O Choose 1 of the characteristics. Read more about this characteristic. Brainstorm how this characteristic supports and strengthens parent and family engagement.

O Form a group with others who have studied the remaining characteristics.

O Share your ideas.O Add your group’s ideas to your chart.

Student-Centered Classrooms 

Teaching for Understanding 

 

Assessment for Learning 

 

Rigor and Relevance Teaching for Learner Differences