Five Big Ideas : Leading Total Instructional Alignment

by Carter, Lisa

• ISBN13: 9781934009239
• ISBN10: 1934009237
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2008-08-01
• Publisher: Solution Tree

Summary

This book presents ¿Five Big Ideas¿ (beginning with the principles and practices defined in Total Instructional Alignment) that will help readers transform their school into a powerful teaching and learning organization. Focusing on these ideas can help eliminate many of the petty day-to-day distractions that do little to promote effective teaching and learning. However, just knowing these ideas is not enough. Educators must work hard to create conditions to support the ideas and implement them effectively if they are to bring about meaningful change in their schools and school systems. The book presents a concise overview of the three interconnected steps of the Total Instructional Alignment (TIA) process and how they impact student learning: 1) alignment of the system, 2) alignment of standards, curriculum, and assessment, and 3) alignment of instructional practices in the classroom. It also presents ways to take the TIA process from being a ¿good idea¿ to becoming established practice within the school and within every classroom. Five Big Ideas makes the overwhelming, complex work of school improvement understandable and achievable. The author¿s relaxed writing style and use of stories help focus attention on the most critical issues that impact student learning. Commonsense thinking meets foundational research to create a clear path for action. Customers who purchased Total Instructional Alignment will definitely want this title; it can stand alone, but is better paired with TIA.

Table of Contents

About the Author	p. vii
Preface	p. ix
Introduction	p. 1
School Improvement vs. School Transformation	p. 2
Developing a Shared Vision	p. 4
Developing a Shared Sense of Organizational Purpose	p. 7
Organizing for Transformation and Change	p. 9
About This Book	p. 9
Institutionalize the Total Instructional Alignment Process	p. 13
Alignment of the System	p. 15
Alignment of Standards, Curriculum, and Assessment	p. 18
Alignment of Instructional Practices	p. 19
A Conceptual Model for Understanding Total Instructional Alignment	p. 20
From a Good Idea to Institutionalization	p. 24
Total Instructional Alignment Creates Equal Opportunity to Learn	p. 29
Conclusion	p. 30
Create a Totally Effective Learning Environment	p. 31
People and Processes	p. 32
What Is a Totally Effective Learning Environment?	p. 33
Conclusion	p. 41
Focus on the Quality of the Teacher	p. 43
Quality Teachers Make Complex Jobs Look Easy	p. 44
Quality Teachers Make Quality Decisions	p. 45
Quality Teachers Deliver Quality Instruction	p. 46
Quality Teachers Actively Engage Learners in Learning	p. 49
Quality Teachers Inspire Students and Learning	p. 50
For Quality Teachers, Success Means Student Success	p. 52
Quality Teachers Show Genuine Care and Concern	p. 53
Attract, Recruit, Hire, and Retain Quality Teachers	p. 54
Provide Opportunities for Quality Teachers to Grow and Develop	p. 55
Develop Quality Teacher Leaders at All Levels	p. 55
Conclusion	p. 56
Redesign and Align Time for Learning	p. 59
Creating a New System of Education	p. 62
The Research on Aptitude	p. 64
Opportunity to Learn	p. 66
Ways to Increase Time on Learning	p. 69
Conclusion	p. 78
Learn and Adjust Based on Data	p. 81
Why Is Data Important?	p. 82
Using Assessment Data	p. 84
Data and Classroom Instruction	p. 85
Data and the Work of the Professional Learning Community	p. 90
Disaggregation of Data	p. 92
Managing the Data Mountain	p. 94
Flexibility and Change	p. 95
Conclusion	p. 96
Conclusion: Leadership and the Five Big Ideas	p. 99
The Top of the Puzzle Box	p. 100
Five Big Leadership Ideas	p. 101
Five Big Leadership Characteristics	p. 105
Conclusion	p. 109
References and Resources	p. 113
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