Leading Instructional Rounds in Education

Instructional rounds is a powerful form of professional learning aimed at helping schools and systems develop the capacity to educate all children to high levels. In this practical book, Thomas Fowler-Finn, an experienced consultant who has worked closely with the Harvard team that pioneered instructional rounds, discusses how facilitators can skillfully guide a network of educators through the rounds process. He shows how to scaffold participant learning, model effective teaching practices, and gradually transfer agency to the network. Leading Instructional Rounds in Education is an invaluable resource for advancing the work of all facilitators, whether novice or experienced. "If you are looking for a clear how-to guide to facilitate a disciplined and well-thought-out version of instructional rounds, this is it." -- From the foreword by Lee Teitel, lecturer on education, Harvard Graduate School of Education, and coauthor, Instructional Rounds in Education "Effective instructional rounds is the first step in building collective understanding and responsibility for the success of all students. Thomas Fowler-Finn provides outstanding tools and resources for leveraging the power of instructional rounds to support continuous improvement for all." -- Stephanie Hirsh, executive director, Learning Forward "In 2008, Western Metropolitan Region students in grade five were the lowest performers in literacy and numeracy in Victoria. Four years later, those students ranked third in all measures, despite being the lowest SES cohort in the state. Principals identified participation in instructional rounds, facilitated by Thomas Fowler-Finn, as a key element of the region's success. In rich, challenging, and increasingly trusting collegial discussions, we learned to focus on student learning and how to improve instruction. Leading Instructional Rounds in Education provides a precise, practical, and very usable guide for people facilitating (and doing) instructional rounds." Katherine Henderson, former regional director, Western Metropolitan Region Department of Education and Early Childhood Development, Victoria, Australia "[Leading Instructional Rounds in Education] is clearly written and rich with examples and sample materials designed to guide the facilitator through the various stages of conducting rounds. This book will be an invaluable resource for those serving as facilitators of instructional rounds in education." -- Joe Terantino & Kristin Hoyt, International Review of Education Thomas Fowler-Finn is the founder of Instructional Rounds Plus, working internationally as a facilitator of instructional rounds, instructional leadership practices and networks, and strategic planning. He is a former superintendent of the Cambridge, Massachusetts, and Fort Wayne, Indiana, public schools.