New Tech Network firmly believes that developing student literacy is critical in helping students achieve academically and to prepare them for college and career experiences. In fact, in the second year New Technology High School was opened, we developed a “Written Communication” rubric that was used in all classroom to assess student writing. With the release and adoption of the Common Core State Standards, a clear set of expectations has been defined for the kind of writing in which students need to be proficient. To this end, New Tech Network is committed to building the capacity of teachers to develop student literacy.
New Tech Network firmly believes that developing student literacy is critical in helping students achieve academically and to prepare them for college and career experiences. In fact, in the second year New Technology High School was opened, we developed a “Written Communication” rubric that was used in all classroom to assess student writing. With the release and adoption of the Common Core State Standards, a clear set of expectations has been defined for the kind of writing in which students need to be proficient. To this end, New Tech Network is committed to building the capacity of teachers to develop student literacy.
The shift in literacy standards outlined in the Common Core framework have three big goals.
- Increasing rigor to ensure students are ready for the complex text students will face outside of school
- Increasing student use of evidence to support claims and positions
- Increasing the quality of student writing in discipline appropriate modes
This three part video series was created to help our coaches, teacher leaders and district trainers successfully replicate a professional development experience focused on improving student literacy. Each 10-15 minute video describes the elements of a 90-120 minute workshop.
Video One: Creating High Quality Tasks
Creating a high quality writing prompt (task) is the key in helping students meet the expectations of Common Core. This video focuses on introducing the writing task and the scaffolding we use to support teachers in creating one. Topics include:
- the purposes of assigning an Individual Assessment of Knowledge and Thinking (IAKT)
- the NTN Task Quality Checklist
- the LDC Task Templates
Resources:
Creating High-Quality Tasks
(for best results, download please)
New Tech Network Task Sorting Activity
Quick Reference Guide
Video Two: Looking At Student Work
One of the best professional development experiences involves collaboratively looking at student work. There is no better way to assess the effectiveness of our teaching than to see what the students can do. This video focuses on implementing a protocol for looking at student work and reflecting on how instruction might be altered to improve student outcomes. Topics include:
- the principles of effective scoring
- using the “Looking at Student Work” protocol
- options for modifying the protocol
Resources:
Looking at Student Work Guide
(for best results, download please)
Video Three: The Knowledge and Thinking Rubrics
Working with the Stanford Center for Assessment, Learning and Equity (SCALE), New Tech Network has developed a set of age and discipline specific rubrics designed to assess students’ content proficiency and critical thinking skills. The rubrics are used when grading literacy tasks or scoring college readiness assessment. This video shows how the rubrics are introduced to teachers. Topics include:
- a description of the rubrics and how they are used
- the difference between “grading” and “scoring”
- activities to deepen understanding of the rubric language
Using the NTN Knowledge and Thinking Rubrics
(for best results, download please)
NTN Knowledge and Thinking Rubrics:
Knowledge and Thinking Rubrics for Social Studies Rubrics
Knowledge and Thinking Rubrics for ELA Research and Argumentation
Knowledge and Thinking Rubrics-Scientific Research
Knowledge and Thinking Rubrics-Scientific Explanation
Knowledge and Thinking Rubric-Math