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

✍ Scribed by Kimberly Gibbons, Sarah Brown, Bradley C. Niebling

• Publisher: The Guilford Press
• Year: 2018
• Tongue: English
• Leaves: 234
• Series: The Guilford Practical Intervention in the Schools Series
• Category: Library

✦ Synopsis

This accessible volume helps school leadership teams accomplish the crucial yet often overlooked task of improving universal instruction--Tier 1 within a multi-tiered system of support (MTSS). Strong universal instruction reduces the numbers of PreK–12 students who may need additional services and supports. Providing clear action steps and encouraging guidance, the expert authors present a roadmap for evaluating the effectiveness of Tier 1, identifying barriers to successful implementation, and making and sustaining instructional improvements. In a large-size format for easy photocopying, the book includes 27 reproducible checklists, worksheets, and forms. Purchasers get access to a Web page where they can download and print the reproducible materials.

This book is in The Guilford Practical Intervention in the Schools Series, edited by Sandra M. Chafouleas.

✦ Table of Contents

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