ENHANCING SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS' INSTRUCTIONAL LEADERSHIP THROUGH SCHOOL AND DISTRICT WALK THROUGHS

At the school level, we have helped principals and assistant principals in several districts improve teaching and learning through the use of instructionally focused walk throughs. An instructionally focused walk through is an organized visit through a school (or department or grade level) to examine teaching and learning. We have facilitated and led regular walk throughs in schools to deepen the instructional knowledge of principals, leadership team members and teachers.

At the district level, we expanded the ability of one district's central office to lead improvement in curriculum, instruction and assessments with the introduction of a system of district walk throughs. The purpose of district walk throughs is to facilitate a true two-way conversation, based on the school's performance data and evidence collected from classroom visits, about the school's progress and the support it can expect from the central office.