10 Benefits of an Instructional Framework

Exemplary schools understand that teaching effectiveness is the first and foremost factor associated with student achievement.

Typical schools usually adopt a framework of practices to guide them toward their goals. Most of the frameworks that schools choose broadly define what to do and often include the targeted artifacts of successful implementation. These frameworks are essential because they define the objectives of success. However, these frameworks are often so diverse that they may prevent schools from focusing on the practices that impact success the most, even when they are within their abilities to use them within their school to achieve positive success.

In contrast, exemplary schools overwhelmingly use one specific framework that defines how they will achieve their objectives and goals. All other frameworks integrate into one – allowing the focus to remain clear on how they will achieve their goals.

Still not sure if instructional frameworks are beneficial for your school? Check out ten of the most important benefits we like to share:

1. Leadership of high performing schools is distinguished by its active oversight and coordination of the instructional framework (Heck, Larsen, and Marcoulides, 1990)
2. Students achieve more in schools with a coherent and systematic application of the instructional framework (Newmann, Smith, Allensworth, & Bryk, 2001)
3. Teachers develop stronger professional communities when they use a common instructional framework (Bryk, Sebring, Allensworth, Luppenscu, & Easton, 2010)
4. Within a grade, an instructional framework ensures students at the same grade level get equivalent access to subject content, regardless of teacher assignment
5. Collaborative planning and grade coordination ensures a progression of increasingly difficult subject matter
6. A common instructional framework means that teachers reinforce the same ideas, use similar vocabulary of communicating those ideas, know how to make links with what has gone before, and are guided in their efforts by common assessments
7. Instructional supports, such as tutors, remedial programs, and parent involvement, also adhere to the use of the instructional framework (Vivian Robinson, 2011)
8. An instructional framework provides teachers a means of improving their practice with professional learning opportunities that are integrated and cumulative, and that convey consistent messages about how to teach
9. Teachers’ motivation is greater when they are confident that the focus of their professional learning will remain consistent, despite changes in school or district leadership
10. In high-performing schools, leaders are actively involved in collegial discussions focused on the application and use of the instructional framework 

At Learning-Focused, our framework is used successfully to help typical schools become exemplary schools.

Learn more here, and reach out if you have any questions.