High Expectations & Rigorous Instruction

High expectations and rigorous instruction prepare the community for rigor and independent learning. The environment is academically rigorous and intellectually challenging while honoring the different ways students learn. Instruction includes opportunities to use critical reasoning, take academic risks, and apply a growth mindset to learn from mistakes. Messages encourage positive self-image and empower others to succeed.

Like the Culturally Responsive-Sustaining (CR-S) Framework, the MTSS framework supports high expectations and rigorous instruction. Academic expectations are grounded in college- and career-ready standards (e.g., Common Core State Standards and Next Generation Science Standards), while pro-social behavioral expectations are co-created with student voice.

The MTSS framework allows schools and districts to set high expectations and select evidence-based instructional strategies to engage students.

Through MTSS:

• Tier 1 behavioral instruction builds citizenship by explicitly teaching expectations and skills such as collaboration, perspective-taking, and leadership. Students contribute by helping define expectations and problem-solve challenges.
• Data are reviewed regularly to guide instructional decisions that support all students in meeting high expectations. Data are disaggregated by subgroup to ensure equitable outcomes and continuous improvement.
• Schools and districts learn how to identify, implement, and evaluate research-based instructional practices that support diverse learners, including specific student subgroups.

For a comprehensive review of evidence-based, culturally responsive instructional practices, see the Region X Equity Assistance Center at Education Northwest’s  Culturally Responsive Teaching: A Guide to Evidence-Based Practices for Teaching All Students Equitably.

For more information on standards and instructional practice for multilingual learners, visit WIDA and search for “Guiding Principles of Language Development” in the Resource Library.

¹ New York State Education Department. Culturally Responsive-Sustaining Education Framework. Internet. Available from http://www.nysed.gov/crs/framework; accessed 1 February 2020.