High Quality Instruction
While studying high-quality instruction and data related to instruction in Kentucky classrooms, KDE content consultants (elementary, middle, high) are asking themselves the following questions:
- What, according to research, most impacts student achievement?
- What do we know about high-quality instruction?
- What do we know about instructional practices in high-achieving schools?
Related research (Black and Wiliam, 2001) suggests the elements of high-quality instruction that are most closely correlated to increased student achievement include:
Ø engineering effective classroom discussions, questions and learning tasks
Ø providing focused, descriptive and qualitative information that moves learners forward
Ø clearly defining what is to be learned each day (learning targets)
Ø engaging students in analyzing their work against the “target” or standard
Ø activating students as resources for each other’s learning through the use of team work and peer assessment
In order to put those elements in place, an important factor in creating the kind of environment where students excel is having a strong teacher. As a matter of fact, according to Tony Wagner (Harvard University), “Student achievement will not improve unless and until teaching improves. Higher standards, more testing, smaller schools, etc. do not, by themselves, improve teaching.”
Next week, we will look at specific research from KDE science consultants to see what successful schools are doing to increase student achievement.
China Experience
A delegation from Daviess County Public Schools recently returned from a visit to China. The experience created excitement among the group in everything they saw, heard and learned. The group hopes to share all of its experiences with other educators and students in the coming months.
Vicki Riley, ISN member from Daviess County, said, “Our goal was to experience the global context of education and information in which the children of today will be living tomorrow and gain a global perspective, as well as specific information related to cultural comparisons. We observed specific student experiences that we may incorporate into our own schools – for example, programs designed to keep children focused on specific goals and extracurricular activities that enhance the overall experience of students.”
The trip helped Daviess County school and district administrators acknowledge that today’s students are no longer living in “the land of opportunity” … but in “a world of opportunity.” The group experienced first-hand the need for the skills of the 21st century, including communication and collaboration.
“This experience helped us put the significant strengths of our district into a global perspective and is an opportunity to identify areas of potential growth as we strive to reach beyond all borders and into unlimited horizons for the future of our children,” said Riley.
To find out more, contact Vicki Riley. Look for a more detailed description of the trip this fall in Kentucky Teacher.
Quotable Quotes
“Getting things done is not always what is important. There is value in allowing others to learn, even if the task is not accomplished as quickly, efficiently or effectively.”
R.D. Clyde