In 2012-13, schools were asked to deepen and broaden the work of the New York City Department of Education’s (DOE’s) 2011-12 citywide instructional expectations, including the pedagogical aspects of the special education reform. This work asked school leaders and teachers to adjust their practice as they worked together to understand the learning needs of all students, including students with disabilities and English language learners, in order to support them in developing the qualities and skills necessary to enroll, persist, and succeed in college and careers.

From 2011-2015, the Citywide Instructional Expectations guided our work as a system with shared steps for all schools to make sense of the Common Core Learning Standards, the Advance system for teacher development and evaluation, and the special education reform initiative’s A Shared Path to Success and shift practice.

This document details the 2013-14 Citywide Instructional Expectations, which set forth the following expectations:

• Prepare: Set up to meet higher standards
  • Ensure curricula are aligned to standards in all content areas. (QI 1.1, 2.2)
  • Prepare to implement a new system of teacher evaluation and development. (QI 4.1, 4.2)
  • Organize the school to meet the needs of all students.
  • Establish an instructional focus. (QI 1.2, 3.1, 3.4) n Ensure school time is used strategically. (QI 1.3, 4.2)
  • Plan for both short-term and sustained professional learning experiences. (QI 1.4, 3.1, 4.1, 4.2)
• Implement: Move students toward meeting higher standards:
  • Students: Experience rigorous instruction. (QI 1.1, 1.2, 1.4, 3.4)
  • Teachers: Shift classroom practice. (QI 1.2)
  • School leaders: Actively support teacher growth. (QI 1.2, 4.1, 4.2)
• Assess: Review evidence of meeting higher standards:
  • Create systems to look for evidence of growth and gaps and make adjustments. (QI 2.2, 4.2, 5.1)

These are a list of resources that support implementation of the 2014-15 CIE in the following areas:

• Primary connections
• Knowledge of students
• Instructional focus
• Collaborative professional learning
• Planning for success