The Standards-Based Classroom

Emily Rinkema is currently an instructional coach in the Champlain Valley School District (CVSD) in Vermont, spending half of her time supporting standards-based instruction and learning at the high school and the other half supporting the middle schools in their transition to standards- based learning (SBL). She also code- signed and coteaches Think Tank, a class that puts high school students at the center of the educational transformation happening around them. Emily began teaching English and humanities at Champlain Valley Union High School twenty years ago and was inspired by the progressive philosophy of the school and community from the start. While teaming with Stan Williams in a heterogeneous tenth-grade humanities class, they became obsessed with differentiated instruction and SBL, applied for a sabbatical, and began down the path that would lead to instructional coaching. Emily is the cofounder of the Vermont Standards-Based Learning (VTSBL) Collective, a grassroots organization that brings together educators interested in improving education through SBL. She has organized, led, and participated in the annual symposium sponsored by the VTSBL Collective and has presented about SBL at schools around Vermont and at the 2018 ASCD Empower18 Conference. Emily has a master's degree in English from the Bread Loaf School of English at Middlebury College and is still involved with the Bread Loaf Teacher Network and, along with Stan, is very active professionally on social media through @ CVULearns. Stan Williams has taught and worked in the Champlain Valley School District (CVSD) in Vermont for over twenty years. He is currently an instructional coach for the district and spends his time supporting standards-based learning (SBL) and instruction at the high school and the four district middle schools. Besides his work as an instructional coach, Stan co-teaches a class called Think Tank, which has students examining education and learning and has kids at the heart of educational transformation.

FOREWORD BY KEN O'CONNOR ACKNOWLEDGMENTS ABOUT THE AUTHORS INTRODUCTION SECTION I: ARTICULATE DESIRED RESULTS Chapter 1: Developing K-U-Ds Chapter 2: Creating Learning Targets Chapter 3: Building Learning Scales Chapter 4: Collaborating With Special Educators SECTION II: DEVELOP TARGETED ASSESSMENTS Chapter 5: Summatively Assessing Learning Chapter 6: Formatively Assessing Learnin SECTION III: DESIGN EFFECTIVE INSTRUCTION Chapter 7: Designing Instruction Chapter 8: Differentiating by Readiness SECTION IV: MONITOR AND COMMUNICATE LEARNING Chapter 9: Monitoring and Grading Learning Chapter 10: Communicating With Families CONCLUSION REFERENCES INDEX

"This book takes much of the guesswork out of becoming a highly efficient and effective teacher in a standards-based system. The authors have thought deeply about (and explained) many of the 'road block' issues and provide both theory and practice to support teachers doing this work. This system helped me as the instructor and helped my students achieve at the level in which they desire. The Standards-Based Classroom leans on the work of the experts in the field in a very pragmatic way and makes it a great resource for teachers seeking to engage in standards-based work." -- Dr. Tom Buckmiller, Professor of Education, Drake University "If you are looking for that one book that explains teaching and learning, then this is it. Full of practical advice, suggestions, and further readings, the authors discuss and illustrate concepts with a clarity that is seldom witnessed in educational literature." -- Dr. Ken Darvall, Principal, Tema International School "The Standards-Based Classroom: A Practical Approach really is practical! With a plethora of examples and models and great suggestions that are organized to be easily read and quickly learned, this book is a must-have for any teacher considering stepping up their game to increase student learning." -- Renee Peoples, Teaching and Learning Coach, Swain County Schools "Most of us know that middle and especially high school educators can be reluctant to implement authentic standards-based learning, including grading and reporting. By having secondary authors and practitioners speaking to secondary educators, this book is right on target for what's needed in the field right now and captures the right spirit of what standards-based learning is all about." -- Becca Lindahl, Ed.D., Professional Learning & Leadership Consultant "This book is important because of its relevancy for teachers who are implementing or transitioning to standards-based learning or want to do so. As educators, we are always looking for ways to improve our craft, and readers will find this to be a great resource. In this book, teachers will find answers to common questions and concerns related to standards-based learning environments and develop confidence to communicate with students, parents, and colleagues regarding the change in practice. They will also gain much needed practical advice, examples, and processes to implement in a standards-based classroom." -- Garnet Hillman, Author and Educational Consultant, Hillman Consulting "This book provides practical, realistic, and useful guidance to achieve its desired outcome. The authors take the 50,000-foot view of the best instructional, assessment, grading, and reporting practices that comprise the different parts of standards-based learning and integrate them into a practical system that improves learning for all students. Then they go to ground level to show how each piece works. The Standards-Based Classroom provides an outline or blueprint for developing a system that will improve the opportunities for learning for all students. " -- Hugh O'Donnell, Education Consultant, Mentor Learning, LLC "The Standards-Based Classroom provides teachers with a practical guide to implement standards-based learning in their classrooms. The authors provide a perfect balance of context and commentary, practical examples, challenges, and suggestions for further exploration. Readers can use this book to transform their pedagogy and practice to better meet the needs of all learners with a standards-based approach." -- Brian M. Stack, High School Principal, Sanborn Regional High School, NH