Conditions to Support a Standards-based System Checklist

1. The organization adopts a guaranteed and viable curriculum that is rigorous and aligned with Minnesota Academic Standards.

Arts

English language arts

Mathematics

Physical education

Science

Social studies

Health

World languages

Vocational education

1. Training and coaching are provided to ensure staff understand and implement the organization’s curriculum.

Arts

English language arts

Mathematics

Physical education

Science

Social studies

Health

World languages

Vocational education

1. The organization's curriculum  is routinely and systematically reviewed

Arts

English language arts

Mathematics

Physical education

Science

Social studies

Health

World languages

Vocational education

1. The district monitors the implementation of curriculum

Arts

English language arts

Mathematics

Physical education

Science

Social studies

Health

World languages

Vocational education

1. Other conditions related to CURRICULUM that are important in standards-based practices (fill in below).

1. Organization policies define expectations for the development and use of assessments at the district and school level.

Arts

English language arts

Mathematics

Physical education

Science

Social studies

Health

World languages

Vocational education

1. The organization understands and supports schools in using all types of assessments to guide instruction, particularly formative assessment practices, at the classroom, team and department levels.

Arts

English language arts

Mathematics

Physical education

Science

Social studies

Health

World languages

Vocational education

1. Collaboration processes are in place to develop or select high-quality interim and summative assessments.

Arts

English language arts

Mathematics

Physical education

Science

Social studies

Health

World languages

Vocational education

1. Training and support are provided to staff to understand, use, and interpret all types of assessments.

Arts

English language arts

Mathematics

Physical education

Science

Social studies

Health

World languages

The Arts

1. Other conditions related to ASSESSMENT and EVALUATION that are important in standards-based practices (fill in below).

1. The organization identifies research-based instructional strategies and develops a district instructional framework that guides instructional expectations and practices throughout the district.

Arts

English language arts

Mathematics

Physical education

Science

Social studies

Health

World languages

Vocational education

1. Training, coaching, and feedback are provided to principals and teachers in implementing research-based instructional strategies.

Arts

English language arts

Mathematics

Physical education

Science

Social studies

Health

World languages

Vocational education

1. The organization, along with leadership, continually monitor instruction to ensure effectiveness.

Arts

English language arts

Mathematics

Physical education

Science

Social studies

Health

World languages

Vocational Education

1. Other conditions related to INSTRUCTION that are important in standards-based practices (fill in below).

1. The organization’s written mission focuses on high achievement for all students and performance for all staff.

1. The organization demonstrates through its policies and actions that all children can learn.

1. There is a shared responsibility among organization and school leadership to ensure high academic and behavioral expectations for students.

1. Organization staff members exhibit a sense of urgency to ensure all students learn.

1. Organization policies ensure a safe, productive learning environment for all students and staff.

1. The organization demonstrates the belief that it should function as a standards-based organization by implementing research-based practices that support students in learning standards at mastery levels.

1. The organization ensures all students are provided adequate opportunities to learn.

1. The organization supports all schools and teachers in understanding and providing multiple opportunities to learn at the mastery level within and beyond the classroom.

1. The organization supports all schools to design a system of tiered support including a variety of instructions to meet the learning needs of all students.

1. The organization creates multiple opportunities to celebrate staff and student successes.

1. Other conditions related to DISTRICT CULTURE/LEARNING ENVIRONMENT that are important in standards-based practices (fill in below).

1. The organization creates partnerships with families, community groups, and businesses to support high levels of learning for all students.

1. Multiple communication strategies provide information to families and the community, particularly regarding student achievement and growth in student performance.

1. The organization provides training to staff in creating and using partnerships to support the district’s academic program.

1. The organization reports student progress and proficiency in the district’s standards through report cards, progress reports, reports to community etc.

1. Other conditions related to STUDENT, FAMILY, and COMMUNITY SUPPORT that are important in standards-based practices (fill in below).

1. Professional development is highly values, funded, and focused on quality teaching and learning throughout the district.

1. A comprehensive professional development plan guides the growth of all staff members in effective, research-based instruction and assessment.

1. Student learning data is used to plan and design professional development.

1. Professional development is evaluated to determine effectiveness.

1. All new instructional staff members (e.g., principals, teachers, and para-professionals) complete induction programs that focus on standards-based education practices.

1. Other conditions related to PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT that are important in standards-based practices (fill in below).

1. The organization’s hiring policies and practices ensure applicants are qualified with high levels of knowledge and skills in research-based teaching and learning practices.

1. The evaluation process emphasizes staff performance in implementing standards-based education practices.

1. All staff members develop professional growth goals that enhance their standards-based practices.

1. The evaluation process is periodically reviewed for effectiveness in ensuring all staff members effectively implement standards-based education practices.

1. The organization demonstrates a willingness to address professional performance concerns at all levels.

1. Continued monitoring of instructional and assessment practices is emphasized throughout the district with high levels of accountability for staff.

1. Other conditions related to PERSONNEL POLICIES that are important in standards-based practices (fill in below).

1. Organization leadership develops and implements a standards-based framework for teaching and learning.

1. All organization levels hold and communicate high expectations for the performance of students and educators.

1. Organization leaders demonstrate knowledge and skills in implementing standards-based practices.

1. The organization places a strong emphasis on instructional leadership all levels of the system

1. Leadership continually builds the capacity of all staff to positively impact student learning.

1. The organization supports engagement and development of teacher leaders at all levels to advance high quality teaching and learning experiences.

1. Organization leaders continually articulate their expectations for the implementation of standards-based practices at the district and school level.

1. Organization leadership ensures all staff have access to standards-based materials, data resources, and professional development.

1. Organization leadership ensures data systems are available to store, disaggregate, and analyze student achievement data.

1. Organization leadership ensures school staff members have access to student achievement data and training to understand and analyze the learning data.

1. Organization leadership strategically allocates resources, including time, systems, and processes to support standards-based education practices.

1. Ongoing professional development is provided to district and school leaders to ensure their knowledge and understanding of standards-based education practices.

1. Organization leadership monitors the work of school administrators to ensure quality teaching and learning practices in all schools.

1. Other conditions related to LEADERSHIP that are important in standards-based practices (fill in below).

1. The organization budget ensures adequate fiscal and personnel resources to implement standards-based practices.

1. Staffing is allocated based on student learning needs (vs. other criteria such as seniority, staff preference, etc.)

1. Adequate resources are provided to ensure appropriate professional development in standards-based practices.

1. Resources are expended in accordance with the organization’s unified improvement plan, focusing on increased student achievement.

1. Grants or other external funding sources are prioritized based on their impact on student learning.

1. Other conditions related to RESOURCE ALLOCATION and BUDGETING that are important in standards-based practices (fill in below).

1. The organization develop yearly unified improvement plans focused on improving student learning through the implementation of standards-based practices.

1. The organization’s unified improvement plans are based on analysis of student learning data.

1. The organization’s unified improvement plans include specific actions focusing on implementing and improving standards-based education practices.

1. The organization’s unified improvement plans are evaluated based on staff implementation of standards-based education practices and student achievement.

1. Other conditions related to COMPREHENSIVE and EFFECTIVE PLANNING that are important in standards-based practices (fill in below).