Continuous school improvement only happens when teachers and administrators collectively center their powers on ensuring student success within a professional learning community. With this practical guide, K-12 educators will discover how to target their school's specific needs with an immediate course of action to improve and measure student achievement. Each chapter includes space for teams to determine actions steps and a list of questions to help bring greater focus to your school improvement process. A how-to guide for implementing Professional Learning Community at Work(TM) practices: Learn how to drive increased academic achievement for all students. Consider anecdotes from the authors' experiences working with schools that illustrate best practices in action. Contemplate your school's reality, and determine what actions you can take to improve student achievement. Prepare a school improvement plan for the structural changes needed to create a positive school culture. Use helpful protocols, rubrics, and action and assessment plans found throughout the book to design your continuous improvement plan. Contents: Introduction Chapter 1: Charting a Course Focused on Learning Chapter 2: Transforming Culture and Structures Chapter 3: Focusing on 21st Century Learners Chapter 4: Establishing a Common Curriculum Chapter 5: Creating and Using Common Assessments Chapter 6: Planning Meaningful and Effective Instruction Chapter 7: Embracing Accountability Epilogue References and Resources

Research is conclusive: response to intervention (RTI) is the best way to intervene when students struggle in school. Also known as a multitiered system of support (MTSS), the RTI process ensures every student receives the additional time and support needed for academic success. A companion to Best Practices at Tier 1, this guide provides secondary educators with fundamental principles, practices, and tools for implementing effective Tier 2 intervention strategies. Your guide to implementing Tier 2 of response to intervention in secondary schools: Understand the challenges facing schools, and consider why educators need to change their thinking. Receive proven, practical strategies and tools for implementing Tier 2 instruction and interventions. Discover the foundational principles of effective educational practices. Identify the roles of teacher, leadership, and intervention teams, and understand why they are essential to the intervention system. Gain tips for determining student learning levels and how to move student learning forward. Review structures and schedules that build time in the school day to support students who need interventions. Utilize teacher teams and the 4 critical questions of the PLC at Work(R) framework to ensure all students master essential curriculum. Contents: About the Authors Introduction Chapter 1: Making the Case for Doing Things Differently Chapter 2: Using Collaborative Teams for Effective Intervention Chapter 3: Getting to Targeted and Specific Interventions Chapter 4: Using Data to Target Tier 2 Interventions Chapter 5: Implementing Powerful Instructional Supports Chapter 6: Building Time in the Schedule for Additional Support Epilogue References and Resources Index