From Typical to Trained Once to On-going Training

In the previous post, I addressed two critical points relating to the implementation of best instructional practice in the classroom.

Point 1: In the typical classroom, higher yield instructional practices are significantly underrepresented.

Point 2: A series of purposeful staff training with appropriate leadership engagement can increase the frequency of higher yield instructional practices that are observed in classrooms.

You can choose to argue these points, but you would be arguing emotionally or anecdotally, not objectively.

My concluding point is that some training is good, but the on-going training, emphasis and support centered on the implementation of Fundamental Best Instructional Practice changes not only the climate and culture of a campus but increases student outcomes.

Consider the following graph.

The green bars represent initial frequency of observed best practices at the typical campus, regardless of grade level or wealth of the community.  As one can see, the frequency of all elements is low.

The red bars represent the typical campus after a series of embedded staff training. This is a significant improvement and the frequency of observed best instructional practice is significantly better than that of the typical campus.

The blue bars represent the same campus after a second series of embedded staff training was conducted in Year 2.  First, the bars again represent an improvement from both baseline and Year 1 levels.  Second, what the blue bars do not represent, but what was reported by both campus administration and the observation team, is that the quality of the observed practices was significantly better after two rounds of training and support.

The takeaway from this discussion.... Awareness does not equal execution.  Execution does not equal expertise.  Expertise requires specific propose, focused support, and reflective practice over time.

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 
• Upcoming Conference Presentations: The Fundamental 5 National Summit (Keynote) 
• Now at the Apple App Store: Fun 5 Timer (Fundamental 5 Delivery Tool); PowerWalks CLC (Networked Formative Observation Tool) 
• Follow Sean Cain and LYS on www.Twitter.com/LYSNation  and like Lead Your School on Facebook

From Typical to Trained Once

When it comes to implementing best instructional practice at high frequency and high quality, as a profession we do not do it.  Disagree if you wish, but I have actual observation data from the field (close to a million classroom visits over the past years). However, in fairness to all current teachers, the profession has not regressed. Those who taught us weren’t implementing best practice at high-frequency or high-quality either.  Or in the rare cases that a teacher was doing so, she was not required to cover near the amount of material that is expected now, and student failure was a given. So, in a blind draw, I’ll take today’s teacher over yesterday’s teacher 10 times out of 10.

Now there are campuses where the frequency and quality of implemented best practice far exceeds the mean.  But this does not occur by chance. It occurs when the following two events occur in tandem... embedded staff training and leadership engagement. Either of these in isolation, next to no change, but together... just take a look.

Let me explain the above graph.  The green bars represent the observed frequency of 5 recognized best instructional practices prior to the staff receiving specific embedded training and leadership purposely engaging in the cuing and feedback process. The red bars represent the observed frequency of those practices following a 10-week cycle of embedded training, with campus administration actively cuing and supporting the improved practice. As one can see, on this campus the quality of instructional practice is improving in dramatic fashion.

And if you like the look of this graph, you are going to love what I show you tomorrow.

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 
• Upcoming Conference Presentations: The Fundamental 5 National Summit (Keynote) 
• Now at the Apple App Store: Fun 5 Timer (Fundamental 5 Delivery Tool); PowerWalks CLC (Networked Formative Observation Tool) 
• Follow Sean Cain and LYS on www.Twitter.com/LYSNation  and like Lead Your School on Facebook