How can a school leader ensure instructional changes in math achieve desired results?

To ensure that instructional changes in math achieve the desired results, developing a plan for assessing student improvement is crucial. This approach allows the school leader to establish specific metrics and benchmarks to evaluate the effectiveness of the changes implemented. By systematically assessing student performance, the leader can monitor progress, identify areas where students are struggling, and make data-driven decisions to refine and adapt instructional strategies as needed.

Assessment also plays a vital role in measuring the impact of new teaching methods or curricular adjustments. It provides concrete evidence about whether students are meeting expected learning outcomes, which helps in communicating success to stakeholders, such as teachers, parents, and the school community. Furthermore, having a well-defined assessment plan ensures that the focus remains on student learning and growth, providing a roadmap for ongoing improvement.

While the other options may support the implementation of instructional changes—such as communication, professional development, and phasing changes—none are as directly impactful as establishing a robust assessment plan that quantitatively measures student achievement and informs future instructional practices.