What Is An Instructional Framework?

The book Becoming a Learning System explores the importance of an instructional framework to create coherence in a school system, connecting student and adult learning goals and purposes. Consider how such a framework puts the content students learn within the larger learning system.

• A clear, research-based vision that includes high-quality professional learning standards and a set of student performance expectations, along with a description of the instructional strategies that will help ensure students meet them;
• The district’s stated beliefs and assumptions about student learning expectations aligned with its strategic plan and goals, and a summary of the research that supports those beliefs and assumptions;
• Structures and supports to help school communities develop purposeful, thoughtful curriculum maps, assessments of and for learning, and inspiring and engaging instructional designs;
• A districtwide assessment plan;
• A collection of reference materials to help school-based teams understand the framework’s concepts and assumptions;
• A description of effective instruction and assessment strategies with an analysis of how they address Learning Forward’s Standards for Professional Learning;
• A guide for planning professional learning at the district and school levels; and
• A tool to communicate the goals of the standards to the community.

Adapted from: Hirsh, S., Psencik, K., & Brown, F. (2014). Becoming a learning system. Oxford, OH: Learning Forward.