STEP is a systemic, asset-based approach to professional learning communities (PLCs) that helps educators discover and replicate what's working in their schools.
All too often, exceptional teachers don't get the recognition they deserve, and, all too often, their expertise—what they know and are able to do better than most—remains an untapped resource.
Implemented in districts nationwide, the Supporting Teacher Effectiveness Project (STEP) framework guides educators in identifying the bright spots—assets—that can be leveraged and scaled toward greater improvement and replication.
STEP was developed by Insight in partnership with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Kitamba, American Institutes for Research, and Sage Education Advisors to create an approach to help teachers solve problems through discovering, testing, and sharing better practices.
What is the STEP framework?
The STEP framework provides a structured, yet
STEP is committed to a process of “ground up” change management and the “
Through the STEP process, teachers find and share positive deviant practices with their peers.
The theory of positive deviance is an asset-based, problem-solving, and community-driven approach that enables the community to discover successful behaviors and strategies from within and develop a plan of action to promote their adoption by all concerned.
Check out this video to hear from educators using the STEP model.
What are STEP's results?
STEP is designed to be a paradigm shift.
Rather than telling teachers how to improve instruction, STEP empowers teachers to authentically select and hone the tools and mindsets that allow them to improve their practice and positively impact student learning.
And it’s working.
STEP has been successful at delivering a model that:
Recommendation: Check an article from Education Week about STEP entitled How the STEP Model Uncovers Local Bright Spots and Transforms Instruction.
How is STEP implemented in districts?
Insight trains and supports principals, assistant principals, teacher leaders, and instructional coaches who will lead and facilitate the STEP teams.
Part I: Boot Camp
Through a
Part II: Quarterly On-Going PD Sessions
To support a strong implementation, Insight recommends four additional day-long PD sessions throughout the year to provide support and coaching.
To set up the boot camp in your district, contact us to set up a time to talk.
Interested in learning more?
Recommendation: Download a sample from the STEP Playbook. Complete the form on the right (or below on mobile devices).
STEP Partners