Secondary Lenses on Learning Facilitator's Kit

Reviews / Votes

"I have seen the enthusiastic response of district leaders to the Secondary Lenses on Learning program. Administrators and other school leaders are thirsty for help to think through the issues they face. In particular, they appreciate the help Secondary Lenses offers with collecting and analyzing data that will allow them to make informed decisions." -- Deborah Schifter, Principal Research Scientist "Mathematics-specific leadership materials for diverse leadership teams have not existed heretofore. These materials not only fill this important niche, but do so with a thoughtful, well-designed series of learning activities built on a foundation of important ideas essential to improving mathematics learning and teaching. The facilitator supports are extraordinary in their detail, allowing facilitators to shape activities to address the needs of their group." -- Judy Mumme, Senior Project Director "The readings in each session bring current research and knowledge into the seminar. They are relevant, accessible, and thought provoking. The video clips provide glimpses into real middle and high school classrooms with diverse students, inviting participants to reflect on the possibilities for all students. The focus questions push the participants to think deeply and to examine their own beliefs and attitudes. From a professional development provider's perspective, these materials lend themselves to working with schools across a region or within a single school division. These materials can easily be used as the core of a graduate course for school-based mathematics leadership teams." -- Vickie Inge, Director of Mathematics Outreach "There are few materials to choose from when it comes to outreach efforts with high schools. What is so exciting about the Secondary Lenses on Learning materials is how the process brings together a team to collect and analyze data and form an action plan." -- Dan Chazan, Associate Professor of Curriculum and Instruction "Repeatedly, we find the success of professional development in schools and school systems correlates directly to two key factors: 1) the establishment of sustained, high-functioning professional communities of teachers and school leaders who share a vision and goals for reform and whose professional learning is contextualized in the everyday, authentic work of mathematics learning, teaching, and leadership; 2) the participation of school leaders in ongoing content-based leadership development. The Secondary Lenses on Learning materials address these two factors in particularly powerful ways and will be a mainstay of our work with leadership teams. To quote the principal from one school team that participated in our pilot program: 'Unlike most schools in the state, my school saw growth in our mathematics student achievement this year. The Secondary Lenses on Learning seminar was extremely valuable in improving skills for staff and learning for students.'" -- Linda Foreman, Director