![[Table of Contents]](/icons/up.gif){kind=icon}
| Active Teaching and Learning (ATaL). (Formerly Effective Use of Time.) A staff development process aimed at improving teachers' classroom management and instructional skills. Active Teaching and Learning also aims to increase the time students spend on academic tasks, and therefore, increases student achievement. |
Audience Approved by PEP for teachers in grades 2-12 in all content areas where reading is required.
Description The major goal of Active Teaching and Learning (ATaL) is to help teachers improve their classroom instruction with the expectation that student achievement will increase as a result of increased motivation and engagement in academic tasks. This is accomplished by improving teachers' abilities to organize lessons, provide appropriate instruction for the students they serve, and motivate students to succeed. The program works by having trained observers generate an objective observation profile that provides feedback to teachers about their classroom management and instructional behaviors, providing interactive workshops to help teachers develop specific skills, and assessing changes in teacher behavior and student outcomes. The program consists of a series of six two and one-half hour workshops which are evenly spaced across a single semester. Workshops focus on managing classrooms, cooperative learning, planning appropriate lessons, challenging higher-level thinking activities, using positive behavior management techniques, and interactive instruction. Prior to the workshops, each teacher-participant is observed during one classroom period for three consecutive days and a teacher behavior profile is generated. Teachers analyze their profile and set goals for change. Following the workshops, a second profile is generated so teachers can assess their change and progress.
National Goal for Education 3 states that students will demonstrate competency in challenging subject matter after grades 4, 8, and 12. Houston Teaching Academy students have demonstrated competency through their achievement scores, which significantly improved since ATaL was adopted. The students performed better than most other schools in the district and were above average for the state.
Evidence of Effectiveness Experimental teachers in four states improved on educationally significant teaching behaviors as measured by pre- and posttests using an objective observation instrument. Students in four states whose teachers had been trained in ATaL displayed substantial increases in time on task during the semester their teachers were in training.
Requirements The school district must commit to hiring and training classroom observers. The school must commit to conducting the series of six workshops; conducting teacher observations at the beginning and the end of the workshop series; and supplying a training room with appropriate audio-visual setup.
Cost Certified Trainers must have expenses paid to travel to the adopting site, $80 per diem, and a $300 per day consultant fee. Schools must provide a lap-top computer for recording observations. Observation training manuals and workshop training manuals may be reproduced at no charge. Ongoing operation of the program costs only the salary of the ATaL Trainer/Coordinator. Schools or districts may send a staff person to be trained as a Certified Trainer. This training of trainers is conducted each summer in College Station, TX and provided free of charge. Participants are responsible for their travel to College Station, hotel, and food costs for 10 days.
Services ATaL staff provide staff development activities, such as awareness sessions, training, consultation, and training manuals. ATaL staff also provide interaction with adopters on a regular basis, and monitoring and evaluation of quality at sites.
Developmental Funding: NIE, state, and local.
PEP No. 79-41R2 (3/11/93)
-###-
[IMPACT II]