Thoughts for Teachers and Teacher Teams:
When you close the classroom door, how do you make decisions about 'what' to teach? Do you use the same criteria for making decisions as your co-workers? How do you decide what to assess? Do your co-workers assess the same skills and concepts? How do you make critical decisions about the state standards and pacing? How do you communicate your decisions within your school? How do you communicate your decisions within your school district (across schools)? Is the taught curriculum aligned across schools in your district? How do you know?
"If schools want to enhance their organizational capacity to boost student learning, they should work on building a professional community that is characterized by shared purpose, collaborative activity, and collective responsibility among staff" (Newmann & Wehlage, 1995, p. 37).
Reference:
Newmann, F., & Wehlage, G. (1995). Successful school restructuring: A report to the public and educators by the Center for Restructuring Schools. Madison: University of Wisconsin Press.
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