Why are standards so important, and how do they improve student learning? In The Authentic Standards-Based Environment: A Systematic Approach to Learning Targets, Assessment, and Data , Eileen Depka dives into standards-based student learning with a simple, easy-to-use approach to unpacking standards, developing learning targets, and designing rubrics and assessments. Using data-driven methods and clear examples, this book makes a standards-based process manageable. K–12 teachers and administrators will: Learn to unpack standards and understand the components and expectations rooted in them - Understand how to design standards-based learning targets that directly connect to each component of the standard - Design individual and common assessments that link with the rigor and expectations of the standard - Report data and design a scope and sequence that will guide next steps - Discover how to implement a standards-based system school- or districtwide Contents: Introduction Part 1: The Foundation Chapter 1: Unpacking Standards―Why and How Chapter 2: Designing Standards-Based Learning Targets Part 2: Tools and Analysis Chapter 3: Creating Standards-Based Assessments Chapter 4: Creating Standards-Based Rubrics Chapter 5: Implementing Common Assessments to Ensure Comparable Data Chapter 6: Using Unpacked Standards to Report Data and Create a Scope and Sequence Part 3: Embedding the Process Chapter 7: Implementing the Process School- or Districtwide References and Resources Index “Providing a wealth of ideas and examples, this resource will help anyone who wants to implement or strengthen a standards-based environment. From unwrapping standards, developing assessments and rubrics for scoring, and managing data to support learning to building a coherent curriculum, Depka shares a simple but effective process that will lead to success in this work.” ---- Chris Jakicic , author and educational presenter “Whether you are brand new to standards-based learning or you are in the process of fine-tuning a work in progress, this resource serves as your go-to guide. From clarifying the why behind the work to the procedural steps needed to develop and implement an effective system, Dr. Depka has provided a step-by-step tool for establishing a standards-based learning environment from beginning to end. If you are considering a standards-based environment in your district, school, or classroom, this is a must-have resource!” ---- Faith Short , principal, East Pointe Elementary School, Greenwood, Arkansas “This book provides explicit guidance about how to implement a comprehensive district and school reform model that emphasizes standards as a method of instruction, a means to learn, and a measure of assessment. This is the standards-based resource schools should utilize as their guide for how they use standards to drive decisions regarding instruction, learning, and assessment.” ---- Erik M. Francis , presenter and author, Deconstructing Depth of Knowledge: A Method and Model for Deeper Teaching and Learning Eileen Depka, PhD , has a background in assessment, common assessment design, rubric development, standards-based assessment, question design, classroom questioning practices, positive practices in grading and reporting, and the implementation of standards-based grading and reporting. She is the author of many books, including Bringing Homework Into Focus , Using Formative Assessment in the RTI Framework , Designing Rubrics for Mathematics , Designing Assessment for Mathematics , and The Data Guidebook for Teachers and Leaders . Eileen has supervised and coordinated curriculum, instruction, assessment, special education, educational technology, and continuous improvement efforts. She has taught all subjects at the elementary and middle school levels, as well as graduate-level courses. She provides professional development for K–12 and undergraduate educators and, as a consultant, has worked across the United States, focusing on creating engaging workshops tailored to meet a school’s and district’s individual needs. She is passionate about student achievement and believes that all students can find academic success. Her goal is to work with teachers and administrators to collectively increase expertise and add to strategy banks used in schools to increase student performance. Eileen earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary- and middle-level education from the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee, and she earned her master’s and doctorate degrees from Cardinal Stritch University. To learn more about Eileen’s work, follow @eileen_depka on Twitter. To book Eileen Depka for professional development, contact pd@SolutionTree.com.