Our Present Pursuits: The Six Instructional Strategies: A Framework for all "Administration Edition"

1/9/2018

Leadership and the Framework:
Setting Expectations of Commonality in Language, Implementation, and Practice

Please make sure that you are on the correct blog. This is for administration.

As you are aware, one of our signature elements at Cross Creek is the use of a common instructional framework. While it was originally labeled the "CIF" and later as the "Aligned Instructional Strategies," the overall premise was (and continues to be) the faculty and staff share a common framework/language that guides the school's instructional methodology.

Our framework provides structure for the inherently unique early college setting and promotes sustainability through expectations of use by all. Cross Creek opened in 2005 and, for the most part, the framework within our school remains stable.

Instructions:

For a refresher and rationale reminder on the JFF Common Instructional Framework, click on this Edutopia article "Six Strategies" button to the right.

For the current Cross Creek "Instructional Strategies Guide" click on "Strategies Guide" button to the right.

Answer the following questions by clicking on comment button below.

1. What role can the principal and counselor play in promoting the framework to veterans and newbies alike so that the common language, plan, and purpose continue?

2. How important is the framework in terms of student achievement at Cross Creek? Why?

3. Now that Rounds have been suspended, how can leadership ensure fidelity to the framework?

4. How can SIT (and/or cadres) assist in setting expectations of commonality in language, implementation, and practice of the framework?

5. Should students be expected to understand the framework? Why/why not?

6. Are “strategy magnets” effective? Would a lesson on the proper use of strategy magnets be helpful to the classroom teacher? Why/why not?

2 Comments

Patsy Patrick

2/6/2018 03:06:45 pm

1. What role can the principal and counselor play in promoting the framework to veterans and newbies alike so that the common language, plan, and purpose continue?
The role of the administrator is important to set the expectations and standards for the vision/mission of the school. Providing ongoing professional development with the focus of our common language and the purpose of the early college program. The planning is essential and this entails budget for resources to keep us an innovative school. This can be accomplished by inspecting what we are expecting. As the administrator looking for the common language during observations and walk through then providing feedback and suggestions as needed.

2. How important is the framework in terms of student achievement at Cross Creek? Why?
Cross Creek draw students from 17 middles schools, it is vital we establish the common language and baseline. A framework creates our baseline for our students. Students bring a variety of “frameworks” from each school it is important we give students the skills needed for the accelerated schedules they have at Cross Creek. These are skills (strategies/framework) necessary at both high school and college level which provides a plan for our students to succeed.

3. Now that Rounds have been suspended, how can leadership ensure fidelity to the framework?
My responsibility is to ensure the fidelity to the framework by planning (SIT), staff preparation and continuous monitoring for implantation. We need to periodically assess our framework and the impact it has on student learning. Again, it is the common language of our expectation that all members use the framework in every class every day.

4. How can SIT (and/or cadres) assist in setting expectations of commonality in language, implementation, and practice of the framework?
The School Improvement Team and Cadres are part of the leadership team at Cross Creek and are part of the decision making process. Both groups have input in setting expectations, language, and framework. It is not just a mandate down from administration, but from peers. Our question we pose at each SIT meeting is “how does this affect student learning”? Our framework whether CIF or WIQCOR does affect student learning, when used with fidelity across the curriculum.

5. Should students be expected to understand the framework? Why/why not?
Yes. If students understand the purpose and the why of a concept they are more likely to see the benefits and use the strategies in the framework not only at the high school, but in college or beyond. Buy in is more likely when we understand the “why”.

6. Are “strategy magnets” effective? Would a lesson on the proper use of strategy magnets be helpful to the classroom teacher? Why/why not?
I think the magnets are effective for both students and teachers. The magnets let the students know the framework strategy they will be using throughout the lesson, as well as a reminder for the teacher of where they want to take students during the lesson. Absolutely, a lesson on the PROPER use of the magnets would benefit EVERYONE.

Gina Hickle

3/8/2018 12:13:24 pm

Note: My sincere apologies for very late post.

1. What role can the principal and counselor play in promoting the framework to veterans and newbies alike so that the common language, plan, and purpose continue?
As a counselor still new to the early college, it would be incumbent upon me to make the effort to really and truly understand the history and rationale for the early college strategies/ protocols and the expected outcomes of using them. As I continue to learn and become proficient with the language and the strategies that are employed, I can refer to them more readily and blend it with the deeper understanding that I already have of AVID. Since common language is key to creating and maintaining a particular school culture, this would be a vital way I can contribute.

2. How important is the framework in terms of student achievement at Cross Creek? Why?
The importance of the framework lies in the fact that there is empirical evidence pointing to its effectiveness. It makes sense to utilize something that will propel our kids forward in the curriculum and give them the learning supports needed for the rigor and the expectations. The framework is also important because we want to continue our status as an A+ school.

3. Now that Rounds have been suspended, how can leadership ensure fidelity to the framework?
This will now have to be accomplished through the careful evaluation of lesson plans and with drop-in classroom visits that may or may not be announced. This should reveal the degree of fidelity with which the framework is being used as well as encourage teachers to adhere to the framework.

4. How can SIT (and/or cadres) assist in setting expectations of commonality in language, implementation, and practice of the framework?
SIT can and should continue to have monthly dialogue regarding how framework is being adhered to within the school environment. SIT can determine weak areas of adherence based on teacher report and administrative data and address them via our school improvement plan. All SIT discussions are documented so the issues will always be at the forefront of the agendas and will continue to warrant further discussion and review.

5. Should students be expected to understand the framework? Why/why not?
Yes. Students (also people in general) are more inclined to buy in and participate in a process if they understand why they are doing it and what the intended results will be. If students are expected to fully participate in the learning process and give quality efforts then they need to understand the objectives of the framework.

6. Are “strategy magnets” effective? Would a lesson on the proper use of strategy magnets be helpful to the classroom teacher? Why/why not?
I regret to say that I am not as familiar with this term as I would like to be. I would venture to say that with my limited knowledge regarding the term that they would be an effective tool. I think a lesson on this concept would be informative and helpful for the newer faculty (myself included) and a good refresher for the veteran faculty.

January 2018

Our Present Pursuits: The Six Instructional Strategies: A Framework for all "Administration Edition"

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