Mathematics interventions for struggling students supplement regular instruction and are frequently implemented through computer programs and activity sheet practice (Swanson et al. 2012). However, students with foundational misunderstandings do not benefit from additional drill and practice alone. Instead, interventions that balance concepts with…

What does it look like to "understand" operations with fractions? The Common Core State Standards for Mathematics (CCSSM) uses the term "understand" when describing expectations for students' knowledge related to each of the fraction operations within grades 4 through 6 (CCSSI 2010). Furthermore, CCSSM elaborates that…

Based upon the models of differentiated instruction (Tomlinson and Edison 2003) and Layered Curriculum (Nunley 2004), the author created the Unit Pages strategy. Just like Layered Curriculum, the pages can be handed directly to students, allowing them to take charge of their own learning rather than requiring the teacher to individually monitor…

The Oklahoma Commission for Teacher Preparation was established in 1992 to develop a new competency-based teacher preparation and professional development system. The commission's report begins with the Vision Statement and responsibilities of the new system, followed by "A New Vision: Educators as the Key to Educational Excellence" by…

A poorly performing school is like a complex puzzle with its pieces haphazardly scattered. To achieve coherence and improve performance, a principal must have a vision of how the completed puzzle should look. Schools that have effectively implemented instructional models have principals that are puzzle solvers. To fit diverse needs into place and…

This report describes activities and achievements of a project that developed and evaluated the Demand Writing Instructional Model (DWIM), a comprehensive writing program for students with learning disabilities (LD) and low-performing students from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds in inclusive general education classrooms. The…

The English Language Arts Standard Course of Study establishes competency goals and objectives for the teaching and learning of English Language Arts in North Carolina. This document details the English Language Arts content that should be taught in all schools. The entire K-12 North Carolina English Language Arts Standard Course of Study was last…

The redesign of teacher education extends beyond the surface restructuring of preparation programs and includes an intentional reevaluation of the professional development practices for the preservice educator. As an institution that employs an outcome-based model of teacher preparation and that has adopted the New Teacher Standards promoted by…