SEDL - PIC - Using Reflection to Promote Instructional Coherence

Teachers often struggle to make sense of inconsistent and sometimes contradictory messages and directives that come from a wide array of sources. When teachers are unable to make sense of conflicting messages and directives, they cease to be thoughtful about their practice as they try to find time to meet the demands placed upon them. This reaction leads to inconsistent educational experiences for students and can result in low student achievement.

However, administrators can begin to address this situation by changing the school environment from a reactive atmosphere to a reflective one. This type of environment supports the teachers’ personal growth by encouraging them to engage in a thoughtful investigation of curriculum, instruction, and assessment in relation to the learning that occurs in the classroom. It is through this process of reflection that they can reclaim their vision as teachers.

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This publication was produced wholly, or in part, with funds from the Office of Edu-cational Research and Improvement, U.S. Department of Education, under contract #RJ9600681. The content herein does not necessarily reflect the views the Department of Education, any other agency of the U.S. Government, or any other source. SEDL is an Equal Employment Opportunity/ Affirmative Action Employer and is committed to affording equal employment opportunities for all individuals in all employment matters.

Southwest Educational Development Laboratory (SEDL) seeks to improve and facilitate the process of constructing a comprehensive approach to teaching and learning through a project, Promoting Instructional Coherence. This project concentrates on coherence issues raised by the development, alignment, coordination, and implementation of standards, curriculum frameworks, guides, and materials, and the impact these have on instruction, assessment, and professional development. For further information about this program, or products created to facilitate instructional coherence, contact:

Program for the Improvement of Teaching and Learning
Southwest Educational Development Laboratory
211 E. Seventh, Austin, Texas 78701
(512) 476-6861 / (800) 476-6861