Understanding Standards-Based Education
A Practical Guide for Teachers and Administrators
- Richard Zagranski - Educational Consultant, Chicopee, MA
- William T. Whigham - South Hadley, MA
- Patrice L. Dardenne - Hatfield Public Schools, MA
"Just what the educational doctor ordered. Written in an easy-to-understand format, this guide contains excellent explanations and valuable models, guidelines, checklists, unit designs, and lesson designs to help teachers implement standards-based education in their classrooms."
—Vaughn G. Rhudy, Teacher
Shady Spring High School, WV
"Zagranski, Whigham, and Dardenne tame the beast of accountability for principals, teachers, and parents by articulately defining what is really expected. A real guide for demystifying the complex world of standards-based education."
—Erica Ann Faginski, Principal
Michael E. Smith Middle School, South Hadley, MA
Transforming your curriculum into a standards-based model: What every educator needs to know!
This comprehensive handbook offers a data-driven curriculum design process to help educators meet today's standards of performance and assessment. Based on decades of hands-on experience, Richard Zagranski, William T. Whigham, and Patrice L. Dardenne provide a clear set of expectations and responsibilities for stakeholders at all three levels of the educational pyramid: teachers, teacher leaders/coordinators, and administrators. Their user-friendly approach, which both incorporates and looks beyond NCLB, shows readers how to take a standard, transform it into a performance objective, and design a corresponding assessment piece. The text includes:
- Standards-based guidelines and action plans
- Ready-to-use charts, rubrics, and templates
- Real-world examples and assessment methods
- Step-by-step instructions to ensure sustainability
- Chapter summaries and a glossary for easy reference
Understanding Standards-Based Education leads educators through a well-defined course of curriculum revision and presents all participants with specific, need-to-know information for accomplishing mandated goals.
"Emphasizes improving the alignment of the written and the taught curriculum in a way that allows for reasonable accountability. The beauty of the process outlined is that it highlights sound teaching practices that lead to the best possible performance for students."
"These authors have a very thorough and intriguing approach that should assist individuals at many different levels who are truly interested in making a difference in our schools today. Educators can apply the ideas almost immediately without getting lost in theoretical tangents."
"A very useful handbook for classroom teachers. It is easy reading and has an unassuming instructional style."
"The book is teacher friendly, easy to read, applicable, and general enough to suit teachers from all parts of the country."
"Just what the educational doctor ordered. Written in an easy-to-understand format, this guide contains excellent explanations and valuable models, guidelines, checklists, unit designs, and lesson designs to help teachers implement standards-based education in their classrooms."
"Zagranski, Whigham, and Dardenne tame the beast of accountability for principals, teachers, and parents by articulately defining what is really expected. A real guide for demystifying the complex world of standards-based education."
"Targets all the key areas in standards-based education today, from data collection to differentiating instruction to grading and assessment. A must-read for any educator or those entering the field."
"Finally, a book that provides a clear understanding of what NCLB is all about and the impact on students' education. This would have been helpful when I was on the committee at my school to write the school improvement plan."
"An outstanding workbook for teachers and administrators. The focus on student learning is great, and the book has a multitude of real-world examples. School districts could tailor it to meet their needs."
"Kudos to the writers of this fantastic, informative resource for the educators of today! This book clearly depicts the innovative teaching practices that meet the educational goals of our schools."
