Chapter 1
Strategic Leadership
Course: School Leaders Licensure Assessment 6990
Subject: School Leaders Licensure Assessment 6990
Chapter: Instructional Leadership
A school leader ensures that curriculum and instruction are rigorous, equitable, standards-aligned, and designed to prepare every student for college, career, and lifelong learning. The leader promotes instructional excellence through clear expectations, collaborative planning, coaching, monitoring, and continuous improvement.
1. How to strengthen teachers’ knowledge of rigorous curriculum and standards-based instructional programs
a. Creating a culture supporting rigor and relevance in curriculum and instruction
• Establishes shared definitions of rigor (e.g., Webb’s DOK, Bloom’s taxonomy) and ensures staff consistently use them • Models instructional expectations by participating in PLCs, data reviews, and lesson studies • Encourages real-world application projects, inquiry-based learning, and performance tasks • Communicates that rigor is for ALL students, including ELs, students with disabilities, and advanced learners • Ensures classroom tasks match the rigor of standards rather than lowering expectations to match student current skill levels • Recognizes and celebrates classrooms demonstrating rigorous instruction