Effective Universal Instruction: An Action-Oriented Approach to Improving Tier 1

Cover
Half Title Page
Series Page
Title Page
Copyright
About the Authors
Acknowledgments
Contents
1. Introduction
	Definition of the Universal Tier
	Evolution of the Universal Tier
		Where We Have Been
		Where We Are Going
	The Universal Tier and MTSS: Quality Components
	Barriers to Addressing Universal Tier Ineffectiveness
		Assuming That MTSS Are about Intervention
		Assuming We Have Done It Already
		Challenging Beliefs about Learners’ Abilities to Achieve Academic Success
		The Swinging Pendulum of Initiatives
		The Culture of Closed Classroom Doors
		System versus Teacher Issues
		Lack of Knowledge about the Current State of the Universal Tier
		Lack of Collaborative Teams
	The Challenge
		Digging into Universal Tier Work
		Allocating Time and Resources
		Identifying Barriers and Developing Plans to Address Them
		Continuing the Conversations
	Organization of This Book
	Discussion Questions
2. Learning Targets
	Definition of Learning Targets
	Who Should Develop Learning Targets?
	How Should Learning Targets Be Defined?
		District and School Considerations
		Roles Needed in Defining Learning Targets
		The Role of Academic Content Standards in Defining Learning Targets
		High‑Quality Learning Targets
	The Role of Learning Targets in Promoting a Healthy Universal Tier
	How Should Learning Targets Be Used?
		To Drive Curriculum
		To Drive Instruction
		To Drive Assessment
		To Engage Students
	The Role of Collaborative Teams
		Define/Develop Learning Targets
		Engage in Professional Learning around Learning Targets
		Bring Student Work and Lessons to the Team for Improvement and Feedback
		Provide Feedback to the System for Improvements to Learning Targets
	Conclusion
	Discussion Questions
3. Universal Tier Assessments
	Purposes of Assessment
	Types of Assessments
		Summative Assessment
		Formative Assessment
	Universal Tier Assessments
	Screening Assessments
		Identifying Screening Measures
		Selecting an Assessment Window
		Identifying the Screening Process
	The Role of Collaborative Teams
		Building Leadership Teams
		Grade‑Level Teams
		Problem‑Solving Teams
	Conclusion
	Discussion Questions
4. Determining the Effectiveness of Universal Instruction
	How Do We Know?
	Definition of Universal Tier Screening
	Methods and Tools
		Selecting a Tool
		Methods
	Decisions and Priorities
	Teaming Opportunities
		Examining Data
		Resource Decisions
		Consensus Planning
	Case in Point
		Exquisite Elementary School
		Majestic Middle School
	Conclusion
	Discussion Questions
5. Identifying Barriers to Effective Universal Tier Implementation
	Action 5.1. The Structure and Process for Examining Universal Tier Practices
		Considerations before Getting Started
		Organizing the Universal Tier into Key Components
		Digging into Key Component Practices
		Pulling It All Together
	Action 5.2. Identifying Barriers to Universal Tier Practices
		The Process of Identifying Barriers
		Prioritizing Implementation Barriers for Action Planning
		Pulling It All Together
	Things to Keep in Mind Throughout the Process
		Tips for Keeping the Process Manageable
		Words of Caution/Common Pitfalls
		The Role of Collaborative Teams
	Case in Point
		Action 5.1. Examining Universal Tier Practices
		Action 5.2. Identifying Barriers to Universal Tier Practices
	Conclusion
	Discussion Questions
6. Action Planning to Address Barriers to Universal Tier Instruction
	Developing a Plan to Improve Universal Tier Instruction
		Goal Setting
	Action Planning to Address Identified Needs
		Classwide Interventions
		Instructional Routines
		What Doesn’t Work?
		What Works?: Instructional Strategies Related to the Curriculum for Teachers
		Putting It All Together
	How Will the Effectiveness and Efficiency of Universal Instruction Be Monitored?
	Action Plan Format
	Case in Point
		Step 1: Is Universal Instruction Sufficient?
		Step 2: Why Is Universal Instruction Insufficient?
		Step 3: How Will the Needs Identified within Universal Tier Instruction Be Addressed?
		Step 4: How Will the Effectiveness and Efficiency of Universal Tier Instruction Be Monitored over Time?
		Step 5: Have Improvements to Universal Tier Instruction Been Effective?
	Conclusion
	Discussion Questions
7. Implementing Universal Tier Improvements
	What Is Implementation Evaluation?
	Supporting Action Plan Implementation
	Implementation of Fidelity Data
	Checklists to Monitor
		Session Fidelity Checklist
		Action Plan Fidelity Checklists
	Methods of Evaluating Universal Tier Improvements
		Interviewing Teachers
		Interviewing Students
		Observing Instruction
		Teacher Logs
		Reviewing Existing Information
	Selecting Implementation Methods
	Setting an Implementation Expectation
	Analyzing Implementation Information
	Supporting Improved Implementation
	Instructional Coach Supports
		Essential Components of Support for Improved Implementation
	Examining MTSS Implementation
	Components of MTSS Implementation Monitoring
		Leadership Team
		Infrastructure
		Implementation
		Evaluation
	Challenges to Monitoring Implementation Efforts
		Explain the Rationale
		Pair Implementation with Outcome
		Be Flexible
	Teaming Opportunities
		Grade‑Level Teams
		Building‑Level Teams
	Case in Point
	Conclusion
	Discussion Questions
8. Evaluating Core Improvement Efforts
	Reviewing the Desired State
	Summative Evaluation
	Expectation for Positive Change Systemwide
	Other Considerations for Expected Improvements
	Student Achievement Data
		Students Meeting Targets
		Districtwide Accountability Assessment
		Subgroup Gaps
	The Fidelity Data Connection
	The 80/20 Dilemma
	Determining Next Steps
	Teaming Opportunities
		Building Leadership Team
		Grade‑Level Teams
	Case in Point
		Exceptional Elementary School
		Miraculous Middle School
	Conclusion
	Discussion Questions
9. Continuing the Journey
	Connections to Other Programming
		Additional Resources
		Access to Instruction
		Special Education
		Title Services
		Gifted and Talented Services
	Sustaining Effective Universal Instructional Practices
		The Importance of Leadership
		Vision and Culture
		Infrastructure
		Resources
		Implementation Plans
		Professional Learning to Support Knowledge, Skills, and Self‑Efficacy
		Incentives
	Lessons Learned Regarding Universal Instruction
	Continuing Universal Tier Improvement
		Universal Tier Screening
		Continuous Improvement
	Conclusion
	Discussion Questions
References
Index