Instructional Leadership
Sustainable curriculum implementation requires active partnership and leadership from instructional leaders.
Leaders need to support teachers with implementation on the classroom-level as well as manage the school-level use of high-quality instructional materials. The resources on this page have been designed to build capacity in all leaders with thoughtful guidance and actionable strategies to support implementers and stakeholders across all levels.
CLASSROOM-LEVEL SUPPORTS
High quality instructional materials that support reform pedagogy require thoughtful classroom support. These resources are designed to support leaders in understanding a science classroom using these materials and can be transferred to HQIM in other subject areas.
Observing HQIM in Action
Observing high quality instructional materials in the classroom can lead to powerful learnings and implementation progress. Classes using HQIM tend to look and sound different from the traditional classroom.
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This OSE Bright Spots & Needs tool provides a snapshot at classrooms that are just starting OpenSciEd.
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Use the OEI Learning Walk Protocol to prepare for classroom observations. During conversations with co-observers and/or teachers, use probing questions to align on the purpose and focus of the observation.
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Whether for learning walks or informal observations, this HQIM-aligned Observation Tool can help to narrow the focus and feedback.
Intentional Coaching
To support teachers in their HQIM enactment, providing both informal and formal HQIM-aligned feedback and coaching are pivotal.
There are many approaches to coaching. Explore two approaches to coaching as a team or by yourself here: Examining and Differentiating Facilitative and Directive Coaching Models.
For OpenSciEd, the initial enactments of units may take longer than expected. As your school is rolling out full implementation, you can refer to the suggestions in the teacher editions and the OEI Recommendations for Pacing. to support teachers in making decisions around pacing.
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Caregivers are important stakeholders that should be involved in the learning process. This Caregiver Guidance folder contains resources to introduce your school's OpenSciEd adoption.
SCHOOL-LEVEL SUPPORTS
Depending on what stage of HQIM implementation the school or district is in, different leadership moves are needed in order to appropriately support teachers. The resources here can support leaders in identifying trends that (mis)align with the HQIM and strategically planning interventions.
Identifying Trends
After observing individual classrooms with an Observation Tool, you and your team will want to align on where your school is as a whole on the curriculum implementation journey. This OSE Implementation Continuum can support your team as you debrief and come to a consensus.
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You can use the OSE Implementation Continuum as a guide to identify trends in the classrooms that support the instructional model and areas for opportunity. From there, a Goal Setting & Action Planning Tool can support your team's next steps towards addressing areas for opportunity.
Planning for Sustainability
Observing and naming trends in HQIM implementation should lead to strategically planning next steps with the district vision in line. The Implementation Planning Guide and the Goal Setting & Action Planning Tool can support leaders and teams in planning for sustainability.
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Change is a process, and when it comes to education, supporting teachers through their change processes is imperative. Use the Stages of Concern & Identifying Appropriate Interventions to identify where your teachers are and how to best support them.
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Teacher attrition is often a challenge many districts face, and during a curriculum change, the effects of teacher and leader turnover can be accentuated. This Turnover Communication Guidance was developed with OpenSciEd implementation experiences across Massachusetts and provides valuable insights that are applicable beyond OSE.
LEADER PROFESSIONAL LEARNING
OEI developed a 3-part leadership series that combines classroom and building level resources supporting OpenSciEd adoption and implementation. The focal areas of these sessions are meant to build bridges across roles through a shared understanding of OpenSciEd adoption and implementation so that leaders in different roles can work together to support their OpenSciEd classrooms.