International Center for Leadership in Education

Rigor and Relevance Series

NEW ! - Stretch Learning — Rigor and Relevance for an Unpredictable World

Stretch learning gets students ready for their future by developing their thinking skills, creativity, and ability to connect knowledge, so that they have increased opportunities throughout life. This comprehensive K-12 kit supports school leaders and teachers by providing:

tools to assess current practices and create new stretch learning programs, units, and lessons
multiple examples from schools with great stretch learning approaches and results
strategies that help educators improve learning for all students

All tools and links to resources are included on a CD. This kit includes a CD and is available in the online store for $295.

NEW ! - Rigor and Relevance Handbook — Second Edition

Newly revised and expanded, this guide summarizes the essential elements that enable teachers to plan and facilitate rigorous and relevant learning while accommodating various priorities and learning styles. It covers the key understandings that teachers need in order to apply the Rigor/Relevance Framework effectively in their teaching. Many worksheets are included for planning instruction.

This handbook is available in the online store for $45.

Using the Rigor/Relevance Framework® for Planning and Instruction

This popular kit provides essential planning tools and professional development activities to raise the level of rigor and relevance in all subjects and all grades. Based on the Rigor/Relevance Framework®, it helps teachers:

focus on student work that requires both complex thinking and application of knowledge to real-world situations
utilize a comprehensive guide to develop instruction that will prepare today’s students for advanced education and the workplace
implement professional development activities

This kit includes a CD and DVD and is available in the online store for $295.

Using Assessment for Instruction

Based on actual data and tried-and-true models and research, this resource kit demystifies the process of assessment and related data gathering for the entire school community.

Numerous examples of data and assessments are provided in all chapters
Chapters are divided into sections targeted to administrators and teachers for ease of use
A useful appendix contains articles, rubrics, exercises, and sample data

This kit includes a CD and is available in the online store for $295.

Instructional Strategies - How to Teach for Rigor and Relevance

This resource kit includes:

a complete course in planning rigorous and relevant instruction using 17 instructional strategies, such as demonstration, inquiry, note-taking/graphic organizers, problem-based learning, and project design
professional development and teacher learning activities
a 200-page Teacher Handbook - an essential guide to using each instructional strategy that is ideal for both new and experienced teachers

This kit includes a CD and is available in the online store for $295.

Algebra Mastery Through Relevant Applications in Grades 6-10

This kit is designed to increase algebra achievement by helping teachers to think about instruction and lessons in a different and exciting way. The kit offers:

42 strategies for teaching and learning algebra in ways that engage students
20 professional development activities
36 Gold Seal Lessons focused on algebra
an explanation of the use of the Rigor/Relevance Framework® as a tool for developing highly relevant lessons
an overview of research on why students struggle with algebra
detailed directions for integrating mathematical inquiry
three chapters that contain accompanying videos

This kit includes a CD and DVD and is available in the online store for $295.

Instructional Strategies– Teacher Handbook

A companion to the Instructional Strategies resource kit, this 200-page handbook:

covers 17 instructional strategies that can be implemented immediately
helps teachers analyze teaching situations and systematically select strategies that are likely to lead to student success
provides strategies for both new and experienced teachers

This handbook is available in the online store for $35.

Rigor and Relevance from Concept to Reality

This engaging personal reflection shares the education vision of nationally acclaimed school improvement advocate Willard R. Daggett, President of the International Center for Leadership in Education. It is rooted in Bill’s earliest school reform work at the New York State Education Department and takes the reader through his founding of the International Center in 1991 and the conceptualizing of the Rigor/Relevance Framework, the Learning Criteria to Support 21st Century Learners, and the Components of School Excellence. The chapters align with those Components.

The International Center has spent years identifying, researching, and showcasing the nation’s most successful practices. The book provides insights and examples of the why, what, and how of sustainable school improvement. It is a must-read for anyone interested in K-12 education who seeks to be challenged and inspired.

This book is written by Dr. Willard R. Daggett and is available in the online store for $29.