50 Ways to Close the Achievement Gap (Multimedia Kit)
A Multimedia Kit for Professional Development

Third Edition

Other Titles in:
Continuing Professional Development | Local Authorities | Teaching Methods & Learning Styles

September 2010 | 248 pages | Corwin

Confronting gaps in school achievement requires a systematic examination of the entire school system and a comprehensive problem-solving approach. Written for school leaders, this completely revised and expanded edition outlines 50 detailed, researched-based strategies for developing high-performing schools.

Emphasizing the provision of equal educational opportunities for all learners, this book is organized around six critical standards:

- Teach a well-crafted, focused, valid, and clear curriculum

- Align assessments, programmes, and instructional resources with curriculum

- Promote student equality and equity

- Focus on mastery learning and effective teaching strategies

- Provide resources for establishing curriculum expectations, monitoring, and accountability

- Institute effective district and school planning, staff development, and resource allocation to create a quality learning environment

With field-tested best practices and an expanded bibliography and research base, this hands-on guide provides school leaders with strategies that give all learners the opportunity to succeed.

Preface

Dedication

About the Author of the Facilitator’s Guide and Video

About the Authors of the Book

How to Use This Guide

Standard by-Standard Study Guide for 50 Ways to Close the Achievement Gap by Carolyn J. Downey, et al.

Welcome and Book Study Seminars Introduction

Introduction Mini-Lecture I.1: Beginnings and Study Seminar Goals

Video Segment and Discussion Activity I.2: Author Goals and Introduction

Reading and Discussion Activity I.3: Book Preface and Introduction

Reading and Discussion Activity I.4 Six Standards

Video Segment and Discussion Activity I.5: History and Overview

Journal Exercise Handouts for Welcome and Book Study Seminars Introduction

Standard One: Establish a Well-Crafted, Focused, Valid, and Clear Curriculum to Direct Teaching

Introduction Mini-Lecture and Discussion Starter Activities 1.A: Standard One Introduction

Video Segment and Discussion Activity 1.B: Standard One Overview

Reading and Journal Exercise Activity 1.C: Nine Strategies of Standard One

Discussion Activity 1.D: Analysis of Standard One

Video Segment and Discussion Activity 1.E: User Comments Regarding Standard One and Its’ Strategies

Application Exercise 1.F: Recommended Next Steps for Moving Toward the Meeting of Standard One Expectations

Closure Activities 1.G: Plus/Delta and Reflection

Journal Exercise Handouts for Standard One

Standard Two: Provide Assessments with the Curriculum

Introduction Mini-Lecture and Discussion Starter Activities 2.A: Standard Two Introduction

Video Segment and Discussion Activity 2.B: Standard Two Overview

Reading and Journal Exercise Activity 2.C: Nine Strategies of Standard Two

Discussion Activity 2.D: Analysis of Standard Two

Video Segment and Discussion Activity 2.E: User Comments Regarding Standard Two and Its’ Strategies

Application Exercise 2.F: Recommended Next Steps for Moving Toward the Meeting of Standard Two Expectations

Closure Activities 2.G: Plus/Delta and Reflection

Journal Exercise Handouts for Standard Two

Standard Three: Align Program and Instructional Resources with the Curriculum

Introduction Mini-Lecture and Discussion Starter Activities 3.A: Standard Three Introduction

Video Segment and Discussion Activity 3.B: Standard Three Overview

Reading and Journal Exercise Activity 3.C: Nine Strategies of Standard Three

Discussion Activity 3.D: Analysis of Standard Three

Video Segment and Discussion Activity 3.E: User Comments Regarding Standard Three and Its’ Strategies

Application Exercise 3.F: Recommended Next Steps for Moving Toward the Meeting of Standard Three Expectations

Closure Activities 3.G: Plus/Delta and Reflection

Journal Exercise Handouts for Standard Three

Standard Four: Use a Mastery Learning Approach and Effective Teaching Strategies

Introduction Mini-Lecture and Discussion Starter Activities 4.A: Standard Four Introduction

Video Segment and Discussion Activity 4.B: Standard Four Overview

Reading and Journal Exercise Activity 4.C: Seven Strategies of Standard Four

Discussion Activity 4.D: Analysis of Standard Four

Video Segment and Discussion Activity 4.E: User Comments Regarding Standard Four and Its’ Strategies

Application Exercise 4.F: Recommended Next Steps for Moving Toward the Meeting of Standard Four Expectations

Closure Activities 4.G: Plus/Delta and Reflection

Journal Exercise Handouts for Standard Four

Standard Five: Establish Curriculum Expectations, Monitoring, and Accountability

Introduction Mini-Lecture and Discussion Starter Activities 5.A: Standard Five Introduction

Video Segment and Discussion Activity 5.B: Standard Five Overview

Reading and Journal Exercise Activity 5.C: Five Strategies of Standard Five

Discussion Activity 5.D: Analysis of Standard Five

Video Segment and Discussion Activity 5.E: User Comments Regarding Standard Five and Its’ Strategies

Application Exercise 5.F: Recommended Next Steps for Moving Toward the Meeting of Standard Five Expectations

Closure Activities 5.G: Plus/Delta and Reflection

Journal Exercise Handouts for Standard Five

Standard Six: Institute Effective District and School Planning, Staff Development, and Resource Allocation, and Provide a Quality Learning Environment

Introduction Mini-Lecture and Discussion Starter Activities 6.A: Standard Six Introduction

Video Segment and Discussion Activity 6.B: Standard Six Overview

Reading and Journal Exercise Activity 6.C: Eleven Strategies of Standard Six

Discussion Activity 6.D: Analysis of Standard Six

Video Segment and Discussion Activity 6.E: User Comments Regarding Standard Six and Its’ Strategies

Application Exercise 6.F: Recommended Next Steps for Moving Toward the Meeting of Standard Six Expectations

Closure Activities 6.G: Plus/Delta and Reflection

Journal Exercise Handouts for Standard Six

Summary and Multi-Year Planning

Reading and Discussion Activity S.A: Summary

Video Segment and Discussion Activity S.B: Themes

Video Segment and Discussion Activity S.C: Planning