Getting initial instruction right is essential for improving student and teacher efficacy. Teachers are more likely to hit the mark when they work with colleagues to unpack the standards before instruction. By designing what the authors call a "proficiency scale," and aligning instructional strategies for the varied levels, teachers can…

Teachers can regain their sense of efficacy if school leaders engage them in a systematic process, the Reflective Action Protocol, of reflecting on their classroom expectations and practices, making adjustments, and taking careful note of improvements in student learning. This process asks instructionally focused questions that push teachers to…