You Make a Difference

What makes an effective teacher? This was the topic of conversation I had with a group of high school juniors and seniors, a few months ago, who are considering the field of education as a profession. I asked the students to work in pairs to identify characteristics of teachers they believed to be effective. Interestingly, the lists the students created related very closely to what research says are the qualities of an effective teacher. The students listed such things as caring, patient, engaging, enthusiastic, organized, prepared, professional, dedicated and willing to help when students were struggling. Their extensive lists reminded me of Robert Marzano’s research on effective teachers.

Robert Marzano states, “A classroom teacher is probably the single most powerful influence on student achievement that is within the control of the educational system.” His research indicates that;

“Most effective teachers produce gains of about 53 percentage points in student achievement over a year, whereas the least effective teachers produce achievement gains of about 14 percentage points over one year." (Marzano, 2003)

So, what makes an effective teacher? Marzano has identified 3 characteristics of an effective teacher. First, an effective teacher has a toolbox of research-based instructional strategies to use with students. Effective teachers have clear goals, engage students in the learning process and provide timely feedback to students. Effective teachers plan for instruction that deepen student understanding and increases transfer of knowledge.

Marzano also identified successful classroom management skills as a trait of an effective teacher. Effective teachers establish and maintain rules and procedures that are necessary for a positive learning environment. An effective teacher takes into consideration and plans for the physical environment of the classroom as well. Effective teachers develop positive relationships with students. They greet students by name when they walk into the classroom and engage in informal conversations with their students. They let their students know they care.

Finally, Marzano states that an effective teacher has a classroom curriculum design with clear learning goals. Students receive multiple exposures to new concepts and have many opportunities to practice new skills. In addition, students have opportunities to engage in complex interactions with knowledge to ensure transfer of knowledge.

Research is clear that effective teachers impact student achievement. You do make a difference!

NeSA-R: What, So What, Now What

Across the state of Nebraska, the “hot” topic of conversation has been NeSA-Reading results. School districts are reflecting on their results and are asking questions such as: What do we do with the results? So what can we do as a district to make the NeSA tests meaningful to students? And, now what can we do to improve NeSA tests scores?

What do school districts do with NeSA-R results? The results of NeSA-R should serve as baseline data for schools. Mitzi and I hope that the results will be used in correlation with other data schools collect in their continuous improvement efforts to improve student learning. We encourage schools to continue with the implementation of research-based instructional strategies that provide students with the knowledge and skills they need for success. In addition, we recommend schools take proactive measures such as using formative assessments to check for understanding, teaching test taking skills that can be applied in any testing situation and providing added opportunities for students to take tests online.

So what can school districts do to make the NeSA tests more meaningful to students? In recent conversations with teachers and administrators in the ESU 4 area Mitzi and I have heard several noteworthy and positive approaches schools are considering in order to motivate students to do their best on the NeSA tests. Some schools are planning on making testing days “Big Event Days”. On these days the focus will be on establishing positive learning climates for test taking. Students will not be given homework on testing days and will not be penalized for missing a class during a scheduled testing period. Schools are also looking at their master calendars to determine the opportune time to administer the NeSA tests. Some school leaders are also giving consideration to the time of the day they will be administering the NeSA tests. Furthermore, several school districts are making plans to send letters to parents with information regarding how they can best support their child(ren) during the testing period.

Now what can schools do to improve NeSA test scores? First of all, have you aligned your language arts and math curricula to the Nebraska State Standards? By aligning curricula, school districts can ensure that the state standards indicators are being addressed at the appropriate grade levels. Teachers also should examine the Table of Specifications that can be downloaded from the Nebraska Department of Education website. The Table of Specifications for reading and math indicate which standards will be tested and at what depth of knowledge. Another step that can be taken is to download the practice test software from the NDE website. Students can practice taking a similar test in reading and math in preparation for the actual testing date.

Now is the time to “rally the troops” and forge ahead. Mitzi and I encourage you to keep the focus on the students and remember . . . "Success is a journey, not a destination.”

Suzanne