This publication was originally published 30 November 2020.

Summary

Practical strategies for embedding high expectations in teaching and learning

• Consistently challenge all students to learn new things.
• Establish clear and consistent expectations for learning and behaviour.
• Guide and support students towards meeting expectations.
• Engage with parents and carers to encourage them to hold high expectations of their children.

Practical strategies for using data in practice in teaching and learning

• Regularly dedicate time to using data effectively.
• Collect meaningful data.
• Analyse the data to monitor student learning and progress.
• Make teaching decisions based on data analysis goals.

Practical strategies for supporting student wellbeing

• Select and develop strategies to proactively teach healthy coping mechanisms, resilience and self‑regulation.
• Initiate strategies to build a positive learning environment characterised by supportive relationships and regular contact with each student.
• Target support for different phases of student development and for students who may be at risk.
• Use collaborative strategies and share with staff, the school community and other agencies as required, to support the wellbeing of students.

Practical strategies for effective teacher collaboration

• Seek professional learning opportunities to share and gain expertise in evidence-based teaching practices.
• Regularly participate in structured lesson observations that focus on how different teaching approaches impact on student learning.
• Regularly dedicate time throughout the school year for working with colleagues to plan, develop and refine teaching and learning programs.
• Work in partnership with colleagues to achieve shared collaboration goals.

Practical strategies for embedding explicit teaching in the classroom

• Prepare for explicit teaching by planning lesson scope, assessing data, reviewing prior learning and balancing teacher-directed, teacher-guided and student-directed learning.
• Explain, model and guide learning.
• Monitor student progress and check for understanding.

Practical strategies for embedding effective feedback in teaching and learning

• Reflect and communicate about the learning task with students.
• Provide students with detailed and specific feedback about what they need to do to achieve growth as a learner.
• Encourage students to self-assess, reflect and monitor their work.
• Ensure that students act on feedback that they receive.

Practical strategies for using assessment to improve student learning

• Make student assessment a part of everyday practice.
• Use assessment to provide students with learning opportunities.
• Design and deliver high-quality formal assessment tasks.
• Carefully structure group assessment activities to ensure that students are supported, challenged and able to work together successfully.

Practical strategies to support teachers in managing their classrooms effectively

• Develop high-quality student-teacher relationships.
• Provide structure, predictability, and opportunities for active student participation in the classroom.
• Actively supervise students to keep them on task.
• Respond to disengagement and disruptive behaviours and support students to re-engage in learning.