Through a Lens Clearly

Abstract

This article describes an analytic framework developed to support principals' 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 educational experience can be examined by instructional supervisory professionals, coaches, or peers. These lenses were crafted from the relevant literatures, including those concerning curriculum, pedagogy, learner development, assessment and professional development as well as school reform and restructuring. Each of the five lenses is described in detail, as well as the manner in which they focus attention upon: a) Content Standards, b) Performance Standards and Assessment, c) Teacher Instructional Practices, d) Student Learning Experience, and e) Environment 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 defined instructional leadership role for principals.