Best Practice Framework

Recognition, Intervention, and Adjustment
Recognize, intervene, or adjust based on school performance
Recognize, intervene, or adjust based on teacher performance
Recognize, intervene, or adjust based on student performance
Monitoring: Compilation, Analysis, and Use of Data
Develop student assessment and data monitoring systems to monitor school performance
Monitor teacher performance and student learning
Monitor student learning
Instructional Programs, Practices, and Arrangements
Provide evidence-based instructional programs
Ensure the use of evidence-based programs, practices, and arrangements in every classroom
Use evidence-based programs, practices, and arrangements
Staff Selection, Leadership, and Capacity Building
Provide strong leaders, highly qualified teachers, and aligned professional development
Select, develop, and allocate staff based on student learning
Collaborate in grade level/subject teams focused on student learning
Student Learning: Expectations and Goals
Provide clear, prioritized academic objectives by grade and subject that all students are expected to master
Implement the district's written curriculum and ensure that all students achieve specific academic goals
Ensure the district's written curriculum is taught to and mastered by all students

State and federal policy in a standards-based educational system emphasizes learning goals (academic standards or performance targets) and outcomes (usually on state-level, criterion-referenced tests). More students are expected to demonstrate proficiency on higher standards than ever before. In that type of standards and accountability environment, a considerable gap of practice still exists, and school systems are left to determine the best way to address this gap.

Finite time and human and financial resources require that educators become selective and deliberate in the improvement initiatives they undertake. The NCEA Best Practice Framework helps focus educators on the practices and strategies that are likely to deeply and positively impact student learning in their schools and systems.

Built upon, and continually informed by, study in consistently Higher Performing Schools, The Framework provides an organizational schema to examine the practices of those school systems, as compared to average-performing ones. To date, more than 500 schools from 20 states have been studied over the past six years. Ongoing study helps us continually refine our understanding of these broad principles of Best Practice.

How to Use The Framework:

  1. Understand the structure of The Framework by clicking on "About The Framework."
  2. Explore the database of Best Practice by clicking on any cell on The Framework graphic above to learn more about any particular practice. You will find critical attributes of each practice with examples from Higher Performing Schools, as well as differentiating features of the practice in Higher Performing Systems compared to average-performing ones.
  3. Use the "Search for Evidence" link to filter for information from a particular state or type of school.
  4. Explore written case studies about many of the studied schools for additional information about how schools implemented these practices.
  5. Initiate an objective NCEA Best Practice District Audit to identify strengths and weaknesses of your system relative to these findings.