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The Essentials for Achieving Rigor model of instruction and corresponding series of books were developed to help teachers provide that caliber of truly rigorous instruction. This guide, developed by authors of the Essentials series, brings it all together, with valuable tips and guidance to help teachers leverage essential strategies to: Conduct standards-based planning and instruction Establish conditions for learning and criteria for success Use formative assessment data to make decisions Practice strategies in a unified system of instruction Get a big-picture view of the Essentials model. This guide empowers educators and leaders to transform their schools into thriving, sustainable communities of practice.

Academic standards call for increased rigor, but simply raising complexity is not enough. Students need to be able to understand learning goals, embedded in performance scales, which include application of knowledge. They should even be capable of generating their own learning scales. In turn, teachers must become adept at providing rigorous learning goals and planning and scaffolding instruction to meet students'needs. Creating & Using Learning Targets & Performance Scales: How Teachers Make Better Instructional Decisions explores explicit techniques for mastering this crucial strategy of instructional practice. It includes:• Explicit steps for implementation• Recommendations for monitoring students'ability to understand learning goals• Adaptations for students who struggle, have special needs, or excel in learning• Examples and nonexamples from classroom practice• Common mistakes and ways to avoid themThe Essentials for Achieving Rigor series of instructional guides helps educators become highly skilled at implementing, monitoring, and adapting instruction. Put it to practical use immediately, adopting day-to-day examples as models for application in your own classroom.