Which of the following characteristics of
schools with high expectations for learning for ALL students are evident
at your school? What other examples of evidence of high expectations for
learning for ALL students would you add to the two lists?
- If a school staff says that it believes that all students can use
their minds well, then a visitor to that school should see evidence:
• Lots of student writing based on students thinking about issues
that are relevant and important to students;
• Teachers using questioning strategies that require students
to think more deeply;
• Students at work in classrooms, rather than students listening
to teachers working;
• Student assessment strategies that evaluate the student’s
depth of thinking;
• Teachers modeling critical thinking through their own engagement
in action research projects designed to improve
their own practice.
- If a school staff says it believes that all students can learn to
use their hearts well, then a visitor that school should see evidence:
• Students working cooperatively in groups in which every student
is participating, and individual accountability
is clear;
• Students serving as and receiving peer and cross-age tutoring;
• Students engaged in service learning activities;
• Students engaged in learning about and contributing to the
solution of real issues of concern to the students
and to the community;
• Teachers modeling by working together as peer coaches and
reviewing student work together;
• Principals modeling by engaging teachers, students and parents
in meaningful work on school, district and community
issues;
• Recognition programs in place that reward cooperative achievements
rather than individual achievements.
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