West Virginia Achieves Professional Development Series Volume X Nurturing and Supportive Classroom Environments with High Expectations for All

West Virginia Department of Education Mission The West Virginia Department of Education, in conjunction with the Regional Education Service Agencies and the Office of Performance Audits, will create systemic conditions, processes and structures within the West Virginia public school system that result in (1) all students achieving mastery and beyond and (2) closing the achievement gap among sub-groups of the student population.

Robert Hutchins The Conflict in Education in a Democratic Society “Perhaps the greatest idea that America has given the world is education for all. The world is entitled to know whether this idea means that everybody can be educated or simply that everyone must go to school.”

What We Know…  An emerging body of research identifies characteristics of high performing school systems.  These school systems have made significant progress in bringing all students to mastery and in closing the achievement gap.  These systems share characteristics described in The West Virginia Framework for High Performing Schools.

SCHOOL EFFECTIVENESS CULTURE OF COMMON BELIEFS & VALUES Dedicated to “Learning for ALL…Whatever It Takes” HIGH PERFORMING SCHOOL SYSTEM SYSTEMIC CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT PROCESS CURRICULLUM MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTIONAL PRACTICES STUDENT/PARENT SUPPORT

Is this Close to Home?

Two Important Points Creating a safe nurturing classroom environment Creating high expectations for all TO INCREASE STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT

Principals establish clear expectations for overall school and individual classroom environments Must be supportive Must be nurturing FOR ALL STUDENTS

Teachers communicate rigorous behavioral and academic expectations Clearly communicated Consistently applied FOR ALL STUDENTS

Teachers understand that academic achievement is enhanced when there is … A positive teacher/student relationship An awareness of high-needs students

Classroom management Designed to develop responsibility Designed to develop personal growth FOR ALL STUDENTS

Teachers draw on the culture, life experiences and knowledge of all students in ways that show respect and appreciation for cultural diversity.

Activity #1 Appreciation for Cultural Diversity

Classroom environment is emotionally and physically safe for all students There is no tolerance for… Bullying Harassment Or other behaviors that interfere with learning

Activity #2 Continuum of Violence

Classrooms are physically welcoming and designed to enhance learning for all

High Expectations Are demonstrated by classroom instruction rich in … Higher order thinking Problem solving Rote memorization Low level tasks

Teachers interact with all students in a way that shows… Regard High expectations FOR ACADEMIC SUCCESS

There is a clear system of rewards and consequences related to student behavior.

High expectations are always paired with a variety of student support systems that help students meet the expectations. School Nurse School Counselor SAT School Psychologist Attendance Director Social Worker Community Resources Parents Safe & Drug Free School Coordinators

Activity #3 Student Support Systems

7 th Grade Class of 25 (Typical Instructional Day)