TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE VISTS

High Schools That Work

The HSTW Technical Assistance Visit (TAV) determines the extent to which a school is implementing key research-based practices and has put into place key conditions that support improved student achievement. During the three-day TAV, a team observes classrooms; reviews campus data; hold in-depth interviews with teachers, students, administrators, and parents. These activities enable the team to identify promising practices, pinpoint priority improvement areas and suggest related actions. After the visit, the school is given and oral report and a written report summarizing the team's findings and a number of recommended actions the school can take to address specific priority areas. The report includes an extensive list of personal contacts and materials the school can us in developing its improvement plan.

HSTW-Technical Assistant Visit Guide
Data Profile Packet (Info)

Making Middle Grades Work

The purpose of a technical assistance visit is to help school leaders and teachers identify changes needed to improve student achievement in the middle grades by implementing a comprehensive improvement framework. The technical assistance team helps a site by working with teachers, counselors and administrators to develop action steps that:

• focus on a rigorous, challenging academic core curriculum;
• examine how the school and its adults relate to students;
• raise expectations for student achievement and help students meet higher standards;
• improve how teachers relate to one another;
• improve how the school relates to parents;
• collect and use data for decision-making;
• use technology to support comprehensive improvement;
• examine how teachers are recruited and assigned; and
• develop effective leadership structures.

MMGW-Technical Assistant Visit Guide for Team Members Guide
MMGW-Technical Assistant Visit Guide for Site Coordinators Guide
MMGW-Data Profile for Technical Assistant Visit Leaders (form)
MMGW Profile Packet (Info)
Data Profile Packet (Info)

TECHNICAL CENTERS THAT WORK

The purpose of technical assistance (TA) visits is to help tech center leaders and teachers identify changes needed to achieve the Technology Centers That Work (TCTW) goal: improved student achievement through blending high-level academic and career/technical studies. TA teams help sites improve the quality of learning for all students by working with teachers, counselors and administrators to:

• raise expectations for student performance;
• revise what students are taught;
• change how students are taught;
• change how the school relates to students;
• change how teachers relate to each other;
• change how the school relates to parents, middle schools, employers and postsecondary schools;
• collect and use data for continued improvement.

TCTW Technical Assistance Guide (Info)
TCTW Technical Assistance Team Member Guide (Info)