Over his 35 years
in education, Dr. Robert "Bob" Marzano has worked in every U.S. state
and a host of countries in Europe and Asia. The central theme of his
work has been translating research and theory into practical programs
and tools for K-12 teachers and administrators. In addition to his
duties at Marzano & Associates, he is a Senior Scholar at
Mid-continent Research for Education and Learning (McREL) and an
Associate Professor at Cardinal Stritch University.
Bob received his B.A. degree in English from Iona College, his M.Ed. degree in Reading and Language Arts from Seattle University, and his Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Washington.
Bob is the author of more than 20 books, 150 articles and chapters in books, and more than 100 curriculum guides and related materials for teachers and students in grades K-12.
Most reform efforts over the last five decades have "tinkered" with the system leaving the vast majority of those practices that work against student achievement still in place. This session will address three critical interventions or "commitments" that, taken together, dramatically alter the system. All can be accomplished with current resources.
The three interventions are:
- a system of feedback to individual students that is based on formative assessments,
- guaranteeing the use of effective instructional practices in every classroom, and
- enhancing the academic vocabulary and background knowledge of students.
For serious school improvement that enhances the systemic effectiveness of districts and schools, these three interventions must culminate in a standards-referenced or standards-based approach to schooling.
Outcomes will include an understanding of:
- The reasons why schools and districts have not engaged in substantial school reform to date
- How to use classroom formative assessments as the primary source of data regarding student achievement in a district or school
- How to develop report cards that reflect achievement status and growth
- How to develop and implement a common language or model of instruction in a district or school
- How to develop a district-wide or school-wide approach to building academic vocabulary
