Instructional Outcomes

Every student, teacher, and leader will meet or exceed their academic growth goals. 

RHS will build upon students’ individual strengths so that all will grow and graduate empowered with knowledge, life-ready skills, and a vision for how to thrive. 

To ensure academic success for all RHS students, we believe… 

• In creating a safe learning environment that empowers every student at RHS to take risks, be creative, find acceptance, and grow.

• That education is an effective tool that can prepare every student at RISD for life after high school, including teaching of life skills.

• Every student at RHS will have the capability and desire to learn and rise to the level of expectations for individual success.

To promote a culture of continuous improvement, we will focus on fostering open communication and a spirit of innovation within our CLCs. We must move beyond lesson design and encourage our educators to share best practices, engage in reflective discussions, and collaboratively problem-solve.  The addition of common formative assessments will provide an additional data point to contribute to the overall success of our learners.

Additionally, we will provide targeted resources and training to address the specific needs and goals of each CLC. This tailored approach ensures that educators have the tools and knowledge necessary to excel in their roles and positively impact student learning outcomes.  We must live in the data and use that data, both historic and real-time to adjust pacing, depth, breadth, and delivery method to ensure all students succeed.

We must be timely and deliberate in our CLCs to maximize the time we can spend to improve outcomes.  Moving scores is our directive, and we must be accountable to our CLC through the use of meeting agendas, accurate record keeping, and holding tight to the "4 Essential Questions of the CLC."  

By empowering and growing our CLC culture, we are not only investing in the professional development of our educators but also strengthening the foundation for a dynamic and responsive educational environment. Together, we can create a culture where collaboration thrives, ideas flourish, and our educators feel inspired and supported to be their best.

Tier 1: Universal Interventions

• Data-Informed Instruction:

  • Use data to identify areas of improvement in academic performance and behavior.

  • Adjust curriculum and teaching strategies based on assessment results to meet diverse learning needs.

• Professional Development:

  • Provide ongoing professional development for teachers to enhance their instructional techniques, classroom management, and understanding of diverse learning styles.

• Positive School Culture:

  • Foster a positive and inclusive school culture that emphasizes respect, collaboration, and student engagement.

  • Implement a school-wide positive behavior support program.

• Early Warning Systems:

  • Establish early warning systems to identify struggling students.

  • Use predictive indicators (attendance, grades, behavior) to proactively address potential challenges.

Tier 2: Targeted Interventions

• Small Group Instruction:

  • Offer small-group interventions for students who need additional support in specific subjects.

  • Provide targeted literacy and numeracy interventions based on assessment data.

• Mentoring and Counseling:

  • Implement mentoring programs to connect at-risk students with supportive adults.

  • Offer counseling services to address social-emotional needs and help students navigate challenges.

• Progress Monitoring:

  • Regularly monitor the progress of students receiving Tier 2 interventions.

  • Adjust interventions based on ongoing assessments to ensure effectiveness.

• Parental Involvement:

  • Involve parents in the intervention process.

  • Provide resources and workshops to help parents support their children's learning at home.

Tier 3: Intensive Interventions

• Individualized Support Plans:

  • Develop individualized intervention plans for students requiring intensive support.

  • Collaborate with special education services and outside agencies for additional expertise.

• Specialized Programs:

  • Offer specialized programs for students with severe academic or behavioral challenges.

  • Provide alternative education options, such as credit recovery programs.

• Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS):

  • Implement a cohesive Multi-Tiered System of Support framework that integrates academic, behavioral, and social-emotional interventions.

  • Ensure seamless communication and collaboration among staff involved in different tiers.

1. Communicate Clear Expectations:

• Clearly communicate expectations for teaching standards, classroom management, and professional conduct.

• Hold tight to those expectations to help teachers RISE to the occasion.

2. Regular Classroom Observations:

• Conduct regular classroom observations by administrators, instructional coaches, and colleagues.

• Use learning walks and calibrations to provide specific, actionable feedback

• Ensure that feedback is constructive, timely, and specific.

• Encourage a growth mindset by emphasizing areas of strength and providing support for areas of improvement.

3. Peer Collaboration in CLCs:

• Facilitate peer observations and collaborative lesson planning.

• Encourage teachers to share best practices and strategies within their Collaborative Learning Communities.

4. Self-Reflection:

• Encourage teachers to engage in self-reflection and set professional development goals.

  1. Periodic self-reflection activities within CLCs.

  2. Provide tools and resources for self-assessment (Strength Finder 2.0 or similar)

5. Data-Informed Practices:

• Our instructional practices will be informed by student outcomes.

• Implement data-driven discussions to guide instructional decisions.

6. Professional Development Opportunities:

• Offer relevant professional development opportunities based on identified needs.

• Continue to offer choice and voice in professional development offerings when able.

• Use innovative delivery techniques to model best practices and make professional development more enjoyable.

7. Supportive Leadership:

• Foster a supportive leadership culture that emphasizes collaboration, feedback, and open communication.

• Ensure that administrators are approachable and available for teacher support.

8. Recognition and Celebration:

• Acknowledge and celebrate teachers' successes and achievements.

• Create a positive culture where educators feel valued and appreciated.

9. Collaborative Learning Communities (CLCs):

• Create opportunities for teachers to engage in CLCs to share experiences, challenges, and strategies.

• Use CLCs to foster a collaborative culture and encourage collective problem-solving.

10. Anonymous Feedback Mechanisms:

• Implement mechanisms for anonymous feedback to allow teachers to express concerns or provide input without fear of reprisal.

11. Goal-Setting and Growth Plans:

• Collaboratively set goals with teachers and develop personalized development plans - for development.  Emphasize the need to improve our practices and use development plans to truly develop teachers, not just as a tool for dismissal.

• Regularly revisit and adjust these plans based on progress.

12. Continuous Improvement:

• Emphasize that the evaluation process is part of a continuous improvement cycle.

• Revisit T-TESS ratings and recalibrate to better represent performance versus the rubric.

1. Clarity of Expectations:

• SBG provides a clear outline of the specific learning standards or objectives that students are expected to master.

• Students and parents can easily understand what is expected, leading to greater transparency in the learning process.

2. Focus on Mastery:

• SBG emphasizes the mastery of essential skills and knowledge rather than an accumulation of points or grades.

• Students are encouraged to demonstrate proficiency before moving on to more advanced topics, ensuring a solid foundation.

3. Timely and Specific Feedback/Identification of Learning Gaps:

• Teachers can provide more timely and specific feedback on each standard or learning objective.

• Students receive information about their strengths and areas for improvement, facilitating targeted interventions.

• Teachers can tailor their support to address the specific needs of each student based on their mastery of different standards.

4. Increased Motivation:

• Students often find motivation in achieving mastery rather than chasing a traditional letter grade.

• A focus on progress and improvement can lead to a growth mindset and a willingness to persevere through challenges.

5. Reduction of Grade Inflation:

• SBG tends to reduce grade inflation by more accurately reflecting a student's true level of understanding.

• Grading is tied directly to achievement rather than factors like attendance or behavior.