THROUGH A LENS CLEARLY - A MODEL TO GUIDE THE INSTRUCTIONAL LEADERSHIP OF PRINCIPALS

This article describes an analytic framework developed to support prin cipals' instructional leadership in the context of contemporary reform perspectives as well as current views of teaching and learning. This instructional leadership tool posits five ''lenses'' through which edu cational experience can be examined by instructional supervisory profe ssionals, coaches, or peers. These lenses were crafted from the releva nt literatures including those concerning curriculum, pedagogy, learne r development assessment and professional development as well as schoo l reform and restructuring. Each of the five lenses is described in de tail, as well as the manner in which they focus attention upon: a) Con tent Standards, b) Performance Standards and Assessment c) Teacher ins tructional Practices, d) Student Learning Experience, and e) Environme nt and Context. The authors describe the development and refinement of this analytic framework for examining standards-based instruction and learning and through example, illustrate its use to support a newly d efined instructional leadership role for principals.