NSSE: Survey of Instructional and Organizational Effectiveness

Indicators of Quality Instructional Systems

Part I

4-1

 

Legend

0 = No evidence of indicators of quality

1 = Low level of development and implementation

2 = Evidence of progress, but the indicators of quality are not fully operational

3 = Fully functioning and operational level

4 = Exemplary level

Curriculum

1. The school’s curriculum furnishes instruction in Catholic truths and moral values that are an integral part of the school program.

2. The school’s curriculum is based on clearly defined standards for student learning and is focused on supporting and challenging all students to excel in their learning.

3. The school’s curriculum implementation plan ensures the alignment of teaching strategies and learning activities, instructional support and resources, and assessments of student learning with the curriculum. The coordination and articulation of the curriculum leads to a shared vision for student learning held by teachers at each grade level, and parents and community members.

4. There is a systematic process in place for monitoring, evaluating, and renewing the curriculum that reflects a commitment of continuous improvement.

Instructional Design

5. Daily planning activities incorporate developmentally appropriate instruction in Catholic truths and moral values.

6. Instructional strategies and learning activities are aligned with the goals and expectations for student learning.

7. The instructional and assessment functions of the teaching process are integrated to support data-driven instructional decision-making.

8. Students’ engagement in their learning is maximized by employing effective classroom management and organizational strategies, by establishing a positive academic learning climate, and by emphasizing both essential knowledge and skills for student learning higher order thinking skills.

9. Students are provided with a variety of opportunities to receive additional assistance to improve their learning, beyond initial classroom instruction.

Assessment

10. Assessments of student learning are aligned with clearly specified and appropriate achievement expectations.

11. Assessments arise from and are specifically designed to serve instructional purposes specified by the users of the results of the assessments.

12. Assessments are developed using a method that can accurately reflect the intended goals for student achievement and serve the intended purpose.

13. The student learning assessment system provides for the collection of a comprehensive and representative sample of student performance that is sufficient in scope to permit confident conclusions about student achievement and yield generalizable results.

14. Assessments are designed, developed, and used in a fair and equitable manner that eliminates any source of bias or distortion, which might interfere with the accuracy of results.