School Improvement - Louisiana Department of Education

THE PROCESS OF SELECTING
BEST PRACTICES & EFFECTIVE STRATEGIES
STEP 1:
STEP 2:
STEP 3:
STEP 4:
STEP 5:
STEP 6:
STEP 7:
STEP 8:
STEP 9:
Collect enough information to become educated consumers of research‐based
practices and strategies.
Review accurate information: research results, costs, professional
development, curricular materials, and other assistance needed for faithful
implementation.
Screen to determine potential for meeting identified needs and for aligning with
the school’s vision, mission, beliefs, goals, objectives, content standards, and
existing initiatives.
Present to stakeholders detailed information on the practices being considered:
the needs to be addressed, data and examples to illustrate how student
achievement can be raised, and a realistic description of what faithful
implementation involves.
Visit sites that have successfully implemented the practices.
Assess the progress in the selection process: Does the school need more time to
consider? Is the school ready to choose? If not, repeat steps 1‐5 as needed.
Allow staff to choose the practices to be implemented. If the chosen practices
are to be successful, a “super‐majority” must adopt them; the degree of teacher
buy‐in is directly related to the degree of success.
Faculty who cannot accept the decision of their peers should be offered transfer
opportunities.
Districts should consider recruiting teams of “master teachers” who have
training and experience in the practices selected by the schools.
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