Fundamental 5 Summit - Keynote Presenters

The Fundamental 5 Summit

November 8 and 9, 2015

Austin, Texas

All Grades - All States

Keynote Presenters

Charles Johnson Foster

Executive Director - Texas Pastors For Texas Children

Dr. Rich Allen

International Education Trainer / Presenter and Best Selling Author

Sean Cain

Nationally Recognized School Improvement Expert and Best Selling Author

Jayne Ellspermann

National Principal of the Year and Principal of Westport High School (Florida)

The Effect of Free Time in the Classroom

Free time in the classroom is an all too common occurrence.  There are even those who advocate for more of it. Though by doing so they seem to be more of apologists than advocates.  None-the-less, the purpose of this post is not to debate the merits, or lack thereof, of free time.  No, the purpose of this post is to share this one observation...

Free time in an instructional setting has the same effect as a zero in a gradebook.

Let that sink in.

For example, if a student has four “100’s” and four zeros, his average would be a 50.

If you have students engaged at the application level of cognition for half of a class period, and doing nothing for the other half of the period, the average rigor rate of the class is pulled down.  Argue the magnitude of this effect if you like, but you can’t argue that the opportunity for student cognition has been degraded. 

This year, keep teaching and keep student brains operating as much as you can, bell-to-bell, if possible.

Think. Work. Achieve.

Your turn...

• Call Jo at (832) 477-LEAD to order your campus set of “The Fundamental 5: The Formula for Quality Instruction.” Individual copies available on Amazon.com!  http://tinyurl.com/Fundamental5 
• Now at the Apple App Store: Fun 5 Timer (Fundamental 5 Delivery Tool); PowerWalks CLC (Networked Formative Observation Tool) 
• Upcoming Presentations: Texas Elementary Principals and Supervisors Association Fall AP Conference, The Fundamental 5 National Summit (Multiple Presentations); American Association of School Administrators Conference; National Association of Secondary School Principals Conference (Multiple Presentations) 
• Follow Sean Cain and LYS on www.Twitter.com/LYSNation  and like Lead Your School on Facebook

T-TESS Alignment to the Observation Modules of PowerWalks

This is the conclusion of the series of posts addressing T-TESS Alignment. See the 9/29/2015 post, “T-TESS Alignment to The Foundation Trinity,” and the 9/30/2015 post, “T-TESS Alignment to The Fundamental 5.” 

Today I’m addressing the campus administrator concern of finding a classroom observation protocol that is aligned to the T-TESS.  The search is a short one because T-TESS is already aligned to the PowerWalks Classroom Observation System.

As the reader will observe in the T-TESS / PowerWalks Alignment Summary, as teachers increase the frequency of the observable best practice in the PowerWalks Observation Modules, they are making measurable progress towards meeting or exceeding T-TESS instructional standards. In addition, the PowerWalks Systems has a customizable module to address the improved implementation of local instructional initiatives.

§149.1001. Teacher Standards.

Purpose. The standards identified in this section are performance standards to be used to inform the training, appraisal, and professional development of teachers.

Standard 1: Instructional Planning and Delivery

Teachers demonstrate their understanding of instructional planning and delivery by providing standards-based, data-driven, differentiated instruction that engages students, makes appropriate use of technology, and makes learning relevant for today's learners.

T-TESS Alignment to PowerWalks
Module 1: Instructor Location	X
Module 2: Pupil Engagement	X
Module 3: Lesson Framing	X
Module 4: High-yield Instructional Practices	X
Module 5: Instructional Rigor	X
Module 6: Instructional Relevance	X
Module 7: Classroom Climate	X
Module 8: Local Observation Elements

Standard 2: Knowledge of Students and Student Learning 

Teachers work to ensure high levels of learning, social-emotional development, and achievement outcomes for all students, taking into consideration each student's educational and developmental backgrounds and focusing on each student's needs.

T-TESS Alignment to PowerWalks
Module 1: Instructor Location	X
Module 2: Pupil Engagement	X
Module 3: Lesson Framing	X
Module 4: High-yield Instructional Practices	X
Module 5: Instructional Rigor	X
Module 6: Instructional Relevance	X
Module 7: Classroom Climate	X
Module 8: Local Observation Elements

Standard 3: Content Knowledge and Expertise

Teachers exhibit a comprehensive understanding of their content, discipline, and related pedagogy as demonstrated through the quality of the design and execution of lessons and their ability to match objectives and activities to relevant state standards.

T-TESS Alignment to PowerWalks
Module 1: Instructor Location	X
Module 2: Pupil Engagement	X
Module 3: Lesson Framing	X
Module 4: High-yield Instructional Practices	X
Module 5: Instructional Rigor	X
Module 6: Instructional Relevance	X
Module 7: Classroom Climate	X
Module 8: Local Observation Elements

Standard 4: Learning Environment

Teachers interact with students in respectful ways at all times, maintaining a physically and emotionally safe, supportive learning environment that is characterized by efficient and effective routines, clear expectations for student behavior, and organization that maximizes student learning.

T-TESS Alignment to PowerWalks
Module 1: Instructor Location	X
Module 2: Pupil Engagement	X
Module 3: Lesson Framing	X
Module 4: High-yield Instructional Practices	X
Module 5: Instructional Rigor	X
Module 6: Instructional Relevance	X
Module 7: Classroom Climate	X
Module 8: Local Observation Elements

Standard 5: Data-Driven Practice

Teachers use formal and informal methods to assess student growth aligned to instructional goals and course objectives and regularly review and analyze multiple sources of data to measure student progress and adjust instructional strategies and content delivery as needed.

T-TESS Alignment to PowerWalks
Module 1: Instructor Location	X
Module 2: Pupil Engagement
Module 3: Lesson Framing	X
Module 4: High-yield Instructional Practices	X
Module 5: Instructional Rigor	X
Module 6: Instructional Relevance	X
Module 7: Classroom Climate	X
Module 8: Local Observation Elements

Standard 6: Professional Practices and Responsibilities

Teachers consistently hold themselves to a high standard for individual development, pursue leadership opportunities, collaborate with other educational professionals, communicate regularly with stakeholders, maintain professional relationships, comply with all campus and school district policies, and conduct themselves ethically and with integrity.

T-TESS Alignment to PowerWalks
Module 1: Instructor Location	X
Module 2: Pupil Engagement	X
Module 3: Lesson Framing	X
Module 4: High-yield Instructional Practices	X
Module 5: Instructional Rigor	X
Module 6: Instructional Relevance	X
Module 7: Classroom Climate	X
Module 8: Local Observation Elements

For those who want the entire document, contact Jo, at the LYS office.

Think. Work. Achieve.

Your turn...

• Call Jo at (832) 477-LEAD to order your campus set of “The Fundamental 5: The Formula for Quality Instruction.” Individual copies available on Amazon.com!  http://tinyurl.com/Fundamental5 
• Now at the Apple App Store: Fun 5 Timer (Fundamental 5 Delivery Tool); PowerWalks CLC (Networked Formative Observation Tool) 
• Upcoming Presentations: Texas Elementary Principals and Supervisors Association Fall AP Conference, The Fundamental 5 National Summit (Multiple Presentations); American Association of School Administrators Conference; National Association of Secondary School Principals Conference (Multiple Presentations) 
• Follow Sean Cain and LYS on www.Twitter.com/LYSNation  and like Lead Your School on Facebook

T-Tess Alignment to The Fundamental 5

In continuation of the 9/29/2015 post, “T-TESS Alignment to The Foundation Trinity,” I am sharing the following T-TESS / The Fundamental 5 Alignment Summary.  The reader will quickly observe that teachers working to implement The Fundamental 5 will easily meet and/or exceed the new T-TESS instructional standards.

§149.1001. Teacher Standards.

Purpose. The standards identified in this section are performance standards to be used to inform the training, appraisal, and professional development of teachers.

Standard 1: Instructional Planning and Delivery 

Teachers demonstrate their understanding of instructional planning and delivery by providing standards-based, data-driven, differentiated instruction that engages students, makes appropriate use of technology, and makes learning relevant for today's learners.

T-TESS Alignment to The Fundamental 5
Frame the Lesson	X
Work in the Power Zone	X
Recognize & Reinforce	X
Frequent Small Group Talk About the Learning	X
Write Critically	X

Standard 2: Knowledge of Students and Student Learning

Teachers work to ensure high levels of learning, social-emotional development, and achievement outcomes for all students, taking into consideration each student's educational and developmental backgrounds and focusing on each student's needs.

T-TESS Alignment to The Fundamental 5
Frame the Lesson	X
Work in the Power Zone	X
Recognize & Reinforce	X
Frequent Small Group Talk About the Learning	X
Write Critically	X

Standard 3: Content Knowledge and Expertise

Teachers exhibit a comprehensive understanding of their content, discipline, and related pedagogy as demonstrated through the quality of the design and execution of lessons and their ability to match objectives and activities to relevant state standards.

T-TESS Alignment to The Fundamental 5
Frame the Lesson	X
Work in the Power Zone	X
Recognize & Reinforce	X
Frequent Small Group Talk About the Learning	X
Write Critically	X

Standard 4: Learning Environment

Teachers interact with students in respectful ways at all times, maintaining a physically and emotionally safe, supportive learning environment that is characterized by efficient and effective routines, clear expectations for student behavior, and organization that maximizes student learning.

T-TESS Alignment to The Fundamental 5
Frame the Lesson	X
Work in the Power Zone	X
Recognize & Reinforce	X
Frequent Small Group Talk About the Learning	X
Write Critically	X

Standard 5: Data-Driven Practice

Teachers use formal and informal methods to assess student growth aligned to instructional goals and course objectives and regularly review and analyze multiple sources of data to measure student progress and adjust instructional strategies and content delivery as needed.

T-TESS Alignment to The Fundamental 5
Frame the Lesson	X
Work in the Power Zone	X
Recognize & Reinforce	X
Frequent Small Group Talk About the Learning	X
Write Critically	X

Standard 6: Professional Practices and Responsibilities 

Teachers consistently hold themselves to a high standard for individual development, pursue leadership opportunities, collaborate with other educational professionals, communicate regularly with stakeholders, maintain professional relationships, comply with all campus and school district policies, and conduct themselves ethically and with integrity.

T-TESS Alignment to The Fundamental 5
Frame the Lesson	N/A
Work in the Power Zone	N/A
Recognize & Reinforce	N/A
Frequent Small Group Talk About the Learning	N/A
Write Critically	N/A

For those who want the entire document, contact Jo, at the LYS office.

Think. Work. Achieve.

Your turn...

• Call Jo at (832) 477-LEAD to order your campus set of “The Fundamental 5: The Formula for Quality Instruction.” Individual copies available on Amazon.com!  http://tinyurl.com/Fundamental5 
• Now at the Apple App Store: Fun 5 Timer (Fundamental 5 Delivery Tool); PowerWalks CLC (Networked Formative Observation Tool) 
• Upcoming Presentations: Texas Elementary Principals and Supervisors Association Fall AP Conference, The Fundamental 5 National Summit (Multiple Presentations); American Association of School Administrators Conference; National Association of Secondary School Principals Conference (Multiple Presentations) 
• Follow Sean Cain and LYS on www.Twitter.com/LYSNation  and like Lead Your School on Facebook