Student raises her hand, sitting among classmates

Valor Collegiate Academies

Intentional Practices to Build Students' Self-Awareness and Mindfulness

Students participate in “True North” practice to build presence and balance

Student looks on with other student at papers on desk

Valor Collegiate Academies

Direct Instruction Centered on Social-Emotional Growth

Weekly time during “Compass Class” for social-emotional instruction and work time

Written chart titled "Non-Fiction Summary." The text below presents sentence prompts for students to use and reads: "The text (blank - title) is about (blank - main idea). First, you should now (blank - detail 1). Next, (blank - detail 2). Then, (blank - detail 3). Finally, (blank - detail 4). Now I think (blank - opinion) because (blank - detail to support opinion).

Scaffolded Summary

Supporting student writing using sentence stems

Student wearing headphones smiles at laptop

Gulfport Virtual Academy

Gulfport Virtual Academy's Approach to Targeted, Relevant Virtual Learning

How a virtual school made instruction targeted and relevant to center students

Students gather around a table, looking at one student at front of table

Locust Grove Middle School

Supporting Students with Learning Disabilities

Integrating school-wide personalized learning with special education Individualized Education Plans

Four students sit on colorful floor, looking up at teacher as she gestures at white board

Lovett Elementary School

Differentiating Instruction Based on Student Need

Using station rotation and individual rotation models to personalize instruction

A child's raised hands with bright, multicolored swirls of paint on both palms with the child's eyes peeking through their spread fingers.

Example: The Myth of Learning Styles (IgnitED Research)

This video shares evidence from the learning sciences and a practitioner perspective around the myth of learning styles

Collecting Real-Time Student Data

Gauge students’ understanding in a remote-friendly way as you go through a lesson

Teacher smiles as she talks with a student

Valor Collegiate Academies

Prioritizing Student Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) and Growth through an SEL Curriculum

Students “Work the Compass,” progressing through curriculum focused on comprehensive human development and SEL habits

image of Using-Highest-Qualified-Staff-for-1-to-1-Support.png

Hopkins Public Schools

Using Highest-Qualified Staff for 1:1 Support

Leveraging paraprofessionals for multi-tiered systems of instructional support

Photo of teacher and student working together at a table

Roots Elementary

Co-creation of schedules

Collecting feedback from students to create a personalized learning schedule

Photo of teacher and student in conversation seated at desk in front of laptop with other students in background

Lindsay High School

Progress Monitoring Through Empower

Facilitators use the Empower, formerly Educate, system to determine how well each Learner is developing along their learning path

Pleasant View Elementary School

Pleasant View's Integrated Teaching Teams

Push-in Special Education teachers to support students with learning disabilities coherently

One teacher works with one group of students as another teacher in the background works with other students

Valor Collegiate Academies

Coordination Between Core Content and Math Focus Teachers

Collaborating over student data to ensure instructional time is used effectively

A woman sitting at a table with a laptop computer, gesturing to screen

Discussion-Based Assessments

Verbal conversations between students and teachers used to demonstrate mastery

Student sits alone in lounge chair, working on laptop

Cisco Junior High School

Balancing Student Choice and Needs with Playlists

Students select their work from skill-level appropriate playlists

Defining Clear Roles in Group Work

Supporting each student to be successful and collaborative during small-group time

Teacher gestures at white board, speaking with students

Valor Collegiate Academies

Scaffolded Small Group Instruction

Targeting instruction to small groups of students throughout the week

Young student smiles at laptop, sitting on the floor

KJ Virtual Academy

Setting Clear Expectations for Student Engagement (KJ Virtual Academy)

How an online program increased student engagement through expectations for behavior

Two elementary school students work together on a project at a table

Example: Mix It Up! The Benefits of Mixed-Ability Groups (IgnitED Research)

This video shares evidence from the learning sciences and a practitioner perspective about the benefits of mixed-ability student groups

This is a photo of students working together to provide support to each other.

Remote Buddy Projects

Grouping in-person and remote students together for projects

Two young girls sitting at a table using a laptop

Learning Studios

Student-driven collaborative classrooms

Student speaks, gesturing, while two students look on

Bronx Arena High School

Activity-Based Collaborative Learning Labs

Specific time set aside each morning for students to focus on an additional subject of interest

Teacher sits at desk with individual student, looking over textbook

Cisco Junior High School

Creating Extra Time for Student Support in Extension Classes

All 6th graders and some 7th graders have an extra class period for personalized support in math and ELA

Photo of teacher working with two students

CICS West Belden

Progress Triangulation

Looking at profile, pathway, and ongoing data to assess student progress

Locust Grove Middle School

Collaborative Planning with Data

Weekly time for teachers to meet, monitor progress, and plan using student data

Teacher sits at table with student with windows in background, looking together at laptop

Valor Collegiate Academies

Looking at Student Work Protocol

Structured review of student work to better understand how students approach assignments and determine additional supports

Holmes Elementary School

Marzano's Practice

Student Driven Self-Assessment

Example of learner pathways showing different folders for math topics

Trailblazer Elementary School

Promoting Personalization through Learner Pathways

Students choose how to engage with learning activities based on daily pre-assessments and personal preferences

Photo of teacher and student discussing content

Roots Elementary

Daily Adjustments to Student Learning

Employing formative data to adjust learning activities as students progress faster or slower than expected

Students sit grouped at tables with technology

Valor Collegiate Academies

Multiple Methods of Student Groupings

Mixing a variety of grouping strategies based on students’ needs

Students working at desks and on laptops scattered throughout a classroom

Pleasant View Elementary School

Flexible Working Groups

Create targeted small groups to differentiate instruction

Uxbridge Public Schools

Online Agenda

Offering clarity and consistency to ensure everyone is on the same page

Photo closeup of device screen showing student playlist with student in background

Roots Elementary

Defaulting to Individual Playlists

Creating rules in the calendar app to ensure students are always learning in a personalized way during instructional time

Teacher looks on as students complete work at desk

Valor Collegiate Academies

Additional Math Instructional Time through a Content Focus Class

Creating an extra semester’s worth of time to provide targeted math instruction

Overhead view of student studying from book, in front of laptop

Locust Grove Middle School

Identifying Mastery and Growth Areas with Pretests and Posttests

Using data from pretests and posttests to determine student progress

Photo of student and teacher working together at desk

ReNEW DTA Academy

Student Self-Reporting Progress

Students provide progress updates to minimize teacher grading time

Lindsay High School

Triangulation of Data

Looking at data to determine appropriate Learners supports during Personalized Learning Time

Teacher works with students on project in classroom

Using Data to Advocate for Students with Learning Differences

Strategically using data to understand and support students with learning differences, inside and outside the classroom

Teacher looks on as group of students work together

Locust Grove Middle School

Selecting Small Groups by Learning Level

Continually shifting groups to support students working at the same learning level while moving at their own pace

Teacher looks over the shoulders of two students as they work

Valor Collegiate Academies

Diverse Data Sources

Leveraging data from multiple sources to inform instructional decisions

Teacher speaks with four students in a group at one table

Cisco Junior High School

Targeted Small Group Instruction

Supporting students in small group instruction during individual rotations

Student writing down in notebook while a teacher is on the screen of her laptop

Virtual Teacher Office Hours

Offering students the opportunity to meet with teachers outside of class time

Photo of small group of students seated and working together

Roots Elementary

Daily, Weekly, and Long-Term Student Groupings

Employing multiple grouping approaches to meet immediate needs as well as provide stable working teams

A young boy sitting at a table using a laptop computer

Homework Hotlines

Offering students virtual academic support outside of classroom time

Photo of teacher and student working side by side at table with laptops directly in front of them

LPS Richmond

Immediate Results to Teachers

Students input results immediately to enable instructional interventions by teacher as needed

Two adults and a student talking to each other in an office.

Analyzing Real-Time Data for Student Advocacy

Using real-time data collection and meaningful data visualizations to support student learning growth

Photo of teacher working with a group of students at table in classroom

Roots Elementary

6-8 Week Learning Groups

Periodic benchmark assessments to determine student progress and adjust student learning paths

Photo closeup of student working on laptop device with headphones and other students in background

CICS West Belden

Periodic diagnostic process

Beginning-, middle-, and end-of-year data collection to develop Learner Profile

Photo of creative classroom with flexible groups of students

CICS West Belden

Flexible Grouping

Combining students to differentiate instruction

Four students stand in line, two give thumbs up to camera

Valor Collegiate Academies

Communal Practice Affirming Personal, Interpersonal, and Community Development

Creating time and opportunities for “Circle,” a practice that supports comprehensive human development

Photo of poster reading Respect is not a Gift, You have to earn it

ReNEW DTA Academy

Emphasis on Life Skill Development

Teaching and practicing skills that go beyond 8th grade math

Four students sit at grouped desks alongside two educators inside classroom

Lovett Elementary School

Multi-age Learning Pods

Grouping students in grade ranges to allow for more flexible instruction and collaborative teaching

Overhead view of several papers on a desk

Cisco Junior High School

Multiple Uses of MAP Data

Cisco recently started using MAP assessments, which are used in a variety of ways to improve blended teaching and learning

Ector Country Independent School District

Virtual, Outcomes-Based Contract Tutoring

Partnering with online programs to provide high-dose tutoring with payment contingent on student growth

Girl writes on paper, sitting near computer

Pleasant View Elementary School

Authentic Projects

Assessment of mastery through projects in addition to skill-based learning

Two students sitting at desk, working together, in front of notebooks, writing

Cabarrus County Schools

Addressing Student Engagement Through Hybrid Project-Based Learning (Cabarrus Virtual Academy)

How a virtual school engaged students through project-based learning

Photo of teacher working with two students on their laptops

LPS Richmond

Flexible Daily Small Group Instruction

Customized groupings to address learning needs and create team experts for specific learning objectives

Norwood Public Schools

Expectations Ensure Engagement

Outlining clear expectations for small-group work in remote settings

Gray T-shirt that reads "I am the difference at Trailblazer Elementary"

Trailblazer Elementary School

Inclusion Approach to Special Education

Integrating special education teachers into general education classrooms

Bronx Arena High School

Creating Small Group Instruction Opportunities with Content Specialist Teachers

Specialist teachers identify students with similar needs and provide small group instruction throughout the school day

Teacher stands in front of white board inside classroom while students in seats look on

Lovett Elementary School

Weekly Learning Cycles

Introducing topics through whole group instruction, then guided release toward independent learning

Photo of teacher seated at front of class with group of students seated in front and copying teacher patting head

Roots Elementary

Heterogeneous and Homogeneous Groups

Differentiated groups to enhance different learning experiences

Student sits in classroom, looking off to the side as he holds a pencil

Lovett Elementary School

Collecting Student Data through Varied Assessments

Teachers use multiple data points to better understand student progress

image of 22Walking-Time22-to-Support-Standards-Mastery.png

Chicago Public Schools

"Walking Time" to Support Standards Mastery

Supporting standards mastery with flexible classroom assignments

School District of Cudahy

Cross-School, Virtual Interventions

Maximize time by leveraging technology to provide interventions to students virtually

Photo of poster board on wall that shows various graphs of data

Cisco Junior High School

Common Data Practices

Cisco looks at a variety of data sources and uses them in different ways to improve teaching and learning

Metro Nashville Public Schools

High-Dosage Tutoring

Utilizing community partnerships to provide one-on-one tutoring to students

Teacher sits in classroom in front of blackboard, looking down at laptop

KJ Virtual Academy

KJ Virtual Academy's Approach to Teacher & Student Capacity with Technology

How one virtual school used technology to engage students and help educators manage workloads

CICS West Belden

Daily Agenda

Providing an explicit plan for students in each class

A woman talking to a student in an office.

Developing a Data Story

Using actionable data to tell a story that advocates for students

Teacher gestures at computer screen while meeting with student

Cisco Junior High School

1:1 Data Conferences

Students and teachers frequently conference to ensure students understand their data and use it to improve their learning

Photo of teacher aide standing at table and speaking with a group of seated students

LPS Richmond

Tiered Student Supports

Multiple non-teacher support options to increase ownership of student learning

Teacher stands behind grouped desks of several students using laptops, smiling

Lovett Elementary School

Structured Student Data Analysis

Providing a structured template to help students understand and act on their data

Select Practice Area

Individual and small-group instruction

Intentional Practices to Build Students' Self-Awareness and Mindfulness

Direct Instruction Centered on Social-Emotional Growth

Scaffolded Summary

Gulfport Virtual Academy's Approach to Targeted, Relevant Virtual Learning

Supporting Students with Learning Disabilities​​

Differentiating Instruction Based on Student Need

Example: The Myth of Learning Styles (IgnitED Research)

Collecting Real-Time Student Data

Prioritizing Student Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) and Growth through an SEL Curriculum

Using Highest-Qualified Staff for 1:1 Support

Co-creation of schedules

Progress Monitoring Through Empower

Pleasant View's Integrated Teaching Teams

Coordination Between Core Content and Math Focus Teachers

Discussion-Based Assessments

Balancing Student Choice and Needs with Playlists

Defining Clear Roles in Group Work

Scaffolded Small Group Instruction

Setting Clear Expectations for Student Engagement (KJ Virtual Academy)

Example: Mix It Up! The Benefits of Mixed-Ability Groups (IgnitED Research)

Remote Buddy Projects

Learning Studios

Activity-Based Collaborative Learning Labs

Creating Extra Time for Student Support in Extension Classes

Progress Triangulation

Collaborative Planning with Data

Looking at Student Work Protocol

Marzano's Practice

Promoting Personalization through Learner Pathways

Daily Adjustments to Student Learning

Multiple Methods of Student Groupings

Flexible Working Groups

Online Agenda

Defaulting to Individual Playlists

Additional Math Instructional Time through a Content Focus Class

Identifying Mastery and Growth Areas with Pretests and Posttests

Student Self-Reporting Progress

Triangulation of Data

Using Data to Advocate for Students with Learning Differences

Selecting Small Groups by Learning Level

Diverse Data Sources

Targeted Small Group Instruction

Virtual Teacher Office Hours

Daily, Weekly, and Long-Term Student Groupings

Homework Hotlines

Immediate Results to Teachers

Analyzing Real-Time Data for Student Advocacy

6-8 Week Learning Groups

Periodic diagnostic process

Flexible Grouping

Communal Practice Affirming Personal, Interpersonal, and Community Development

Emphasis on Life Skill Development

Multi-age Learning Pods

Multiple Uses of MAP Data

Virtual, Outcomes-Based Contract Tutoring

Authentic Projects

Addressing Student Engagement Through Hybrid Project-Based Learning (Cabarrus Virtual Academy)

Flexible Daily Small Group Instruction

Expectations Ensure Engagement

Inclusion Approach to Special Education

Creating Small Group Instruction Opportunities with Content Specialist Teachers

Weekly Learning Cycles

Heterogeneous and Homogeneous Groups

Collecting Student Data through Varied Assessments

"Walking Time" to Support Standards Mastery

Cross-School, Virtual Interventions

Common Data Practices

High-Dosage Tutoring

KJ Virtual Academy's Approach to Teacher & Student Capacity with Technology

Daily Agenda

Developing a Data Story

1:1 Data Conferences

Tiered Student Supports

Structured Student Data Analysis

Supporting Students with Learning Disabilities