Cleveland City Schools is proud to announce the launch of "Cleveland Commits," a comprehensive instructional plan designed to ensure that every student in the district is known by name, ability, and need, and graduates ready for their chosen career path. With a strong commitment to elevate instruction and support our principals and teachers through shared leadership and partnership, Cleveland Commits aims to move our students forward academically, socially, and emotionally. This framework was developed by school and district administration to highlight key structures that support K-12 academic coherence.
The core principles of Cleveland Commits focus on providing all students with effective instruction in a safe and warm environment. Under this plan, students will engage in grade-level work grounded in high-quality instructional materials and assessments. Teachers will hold high expectations for their students, providing them with well-prepared and sequenced tasks that encourage productive struggle and active participation.
Central to Cleveland Commits are the Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) and coaching cycles with building-level instructional support staff. These ongoing supports for teachers foster collaboration, learn from one another's experiences, and promote continuous professional growth.
School leaders, with support from the District Instructional Team, will conduct regular check-ins to gather data on the state of instruction and curriculum implementation. These check-ins will help stakeholders at all levels (teachers, school leaders, and district leaders) understand the collective progress toward instructional goals and tailor support accordingly.
The "Cleveland Commits" plan is centered around four key pillars:
1. Curriculum: High-Quality Instructional Materials
- ELA: Teachers will be provided with standards-aligned daily lesson materials, ensuring success for all students with grade-level work. They will engage in a variety of high-quality texts
(both fiction and nonfiction) while ensuring equitable opportunities for knowledge and thinking
skill-building.
- Math: Students will be encouraged to tackle rigorous, standards-aligned tasks, building conceptual understanding, procedural fluency, and the ability to apply their learning. Discussions on multiple representations and strategies will foster a deeper grasp of mathematical concepts.
2. Check-Ins: Understanding Progress Towards Instructional Goals
- Regular data-gathering check-ins will help stakeholders comprehend the state of instruction and curriculum implementation at designated points throughout the year. This will aid in tailoring
support for all stakeholders in effectively implementing high-quality instructional materials.
3. Collaboration: Professional Development and Vision Setting
- District and school-level professional development sessions will be integrated and aligned with the overall system of professional learning, ensuring useful and applicable learning
outcomes. These sessions will focus on understanding standards, curriculum, data analysis,
and strong instructional practices. Special emphasis will be given to diverse learning groups to
promote inclusive strategies and understanding.
4. Coaching: Support for Teachers' Growth and Impact
- Teachers will receive support from instructional coaches, leveraging research-backed methods that have a positive impact on instruction. This coaching approach aims to empower
teachers to have the greatest influence on student learning and academic success.
Dr. Russell Dyer, Director of Schools of Cleveland City Schools, expressed his enthusiasm for the Cleveland Commits, stating, "This instructional plan reflects our unwavering commitment to the growth and success of every student in our district. Cleveland Commits means that every student in Cleveland City Schools must be known by name, ability, and need, and graduate ready for the career path they choose.”