NYSTCE SBL cheat sheet

A shared vision is developed collaboratively with stakeholders, is focused on student learning, and is communicated continuously through multiple channels.

School culture is shaped by norms, values, rituals, and traditions; leaders influence it by modeling expectations and celebrating successes.

Distributed leadership involves delegating meaningful responsibilities to teachers and staff, building their capacity, and fostering collective efficacy.

A data-driven culture uses multiple sources of evidence (assessments, surveys, observations) to inform decisions and monitor progress toward goals.

Effective communication with families and community partners is two-way, culturally responsive, and accessible in multiple languages.

The change process (e.g., Kotter, Fullan) includes establishing urgency, building a coalition, creating a vision, and anchoring new practices in culture.

Professional learning communities (PLCs) focus on collaborative inquiry, shared goals, and results-oriented dialogue to improve instruction.

A leader's theory of action links specific leadership actions to improved teaching and learning outcomes.

Equity audits examine policies, practices, and resource allocation to identify and address disparities in student opportunities and outcomes.

High-quality instruction is aligned to standards, uses research-based strategies, and includes formative assessment to adjust teaching.

The clinical supervision cycle includes pre-observation conference, classroom observation, and post-observation feedback focused on reflection and growth.

Effective professional development is sustained, job-embedded, collaborative, and focused on content and pedagogy.

Teacher evaluation systems should be fair, transparent, and based on multiple measures including observations, student growth, and artifacts.

Coaching and mentoring support novice teachers and struggling teachers through modeling, observation, and feedback.

Curriculum alignment ensures vertical and horizontal coherence with state standards and assessments.

Data teams analyze student work and assessment results to identify instructional gaps and plan interventions.

Differentiated instruction addresses diverse learning needs through flexible grouping, tiered assignments, and varied pacing.

A guaranteed and viable curriculum ensures all students have access to essential content regardless of teacher assignment.

The school budget aligns resources with the school improvement plan and is monitored regularly for fiscal responsibility.

Facilities management includes safety inspections, maintenance schedules, and compliance with health and safety regulations.

Human resource functions include recruitment, hiring, induction, evaluation, and retention of staff.

Scheduling decisions (e.g., master schedule) should maximize instructional time and provide common planning time for teachers.

Legal compliance includes special education laws (IDEA), civil rights, due process, and reporting requirements.

Technology integration requires infrastructure, professional development, and data privacy safeguards.

Communication systems (e.g., newsletters, websites, social media) keep stakeholders informed and engaged.

Crisis planning involves developing and practicing emergency response protocols with staff and students.

Operational efficiency is improved through data systems that track attendance, discipline, and resource use.

Effective family engagement is based on trust, respect, and shared responsibility for student success.

Communication with families should be proactive, accessible, and available in multiple languages.

Community partnerships (e.g., businesses, nonprofits, universities) can provide resources, internships, and support services.

Family involvement programs should address barriers such as transportation, scheduling, and cultural differences.

Parent-teacher conferences and workshops build capacity for families to support learning at home.

School councils and advisory groups provide formal channels for family and community input into decisions.

Cultural competence helps leaders engage diverse families and avoid assumptions based on stereotypes.

Regular feedback from families through surveys and focus groups informs school improvement efforts.

Collaboration with community agencies supports student health, safety, and well-being.