Ever wonder why there is such a big gap in the number of students who succeed in comparison to those who do not? The duality of educational experiences that permeate our secondary schools leads to one group of students heading into post-secondary education, while others either receive terminal degrees or drop out. This updraft/downdraft phenomena occurs because time, talent, and monies tend to drift into the 'updraft' group's educational arena, leaving the 'downdraft' students and teachers with less time to teach, fewer qualified teachers, and fewer supporters. This book provides a set of tools to assist schools and communities in reallocating their resources more effectively. Using school 'artifacts,' educators can collect the data and information needed to make better decisions and leverage what they have, equitably. The process of collecting, analyzing, and acting on the data described promotes more strategic decision-making about school resources. Samples of data and analyses around master schedules, student schedules, curriculum guides and other 'artifacts' inside the school and district are provided. Recommended for anyone seeking ways to understand the problems inside the public schools and ways to find solutions.

What exactly is an ""assignment,"" and why does it matter? How can educators ensure that their teaching meets the rigorous demands of the Common Core State Standards, so that all students are well prepared for college or careers? Drawing from her extensive experience as a teacher coach, author Eleanor Dougherty answers these questions and many more, with two aims in mind: (1) to guide teachers and administrators in crafting high-quality assignments, and (2) to help educators understand the powerful impact that assignments can have on teaching and learning. The book explains the critical differences among ""assignments,"" ""activities,"" and ""assessments"" and thoroughly describes the key elements of an assignment: prompts, rubrics, products, and instructional plans. Readers will learn how to: Follow a seven-step process for crafting effective assignments. Link assignments to units and courses. Devise ""Anchor"" assignments for collaboration and consistency across grades. Tap into instructional ""touchstones"" that can enrich any assignment. Create classroom and school environments that support assignment-making. Use assignments as a source of data about teaching and learning. Equipped with the knowledge and expertise gained from Assignments Matter, readers will be able to create meaningful learning experiences for their students and come to appreciate the author's belief that ""assignments may well be the missing link in school reform efforts to improve student achievement.