P.O. BOX 2120

RICHMOND, VIRGINIA 23218-2120

SUPTS. MEMO NO. 161

November 9, 2001

INFORMATIONAL

TO:

Division Superintendents

FROM:

Jo Lynne DeMary

Superintendent of Public Instruction

SUBJECT:

Effective Research-Based Instructional Strategies Video Series

Using the book, What Works In Classroom Instruction, by Robert J. Marzano, Barbara B. Gaddy, and Ceri Dean, the Department of Education has developed a series of video programs that identify research-based instructional strategies and discuss the use of these strategies in Virginia's classrooms. This book is available at no cost on the Mid-Continent Educational Research Laboratory (McREL) Web site at http://www.mcrel.org/products/learning/index.asp.

The video series has been developed at each of three levels-- elementary, middle, and secondary--and discusses research-based strategies such as homework and practice; similarities and differences; summarizing and note taking; non-linguistic instruction; reinforcing effort; activating prior knowledge; and teaching skills and processes. In each 30-minute video, Dr. Chris Corallo, state director for AEL, Inc., provides a three-minute research overview that supports one strategy and then conducts a discussion with a panel of Virginia teachers who provide information regarding how they have used these strategies in their classrooms to improve student achievement.

These videos are not meant to be used as “stand-alone” staff development programs, but will assist principals and key instructional leaders in opening small group discussions related to the topics, such as department-chair or grade-level meetings. It is hoped that these discussions will lead to additional staff development regarding specific topics.

Dr. Marzano will be the “keynote” speaker at the upcoming Virginia Association of Elementary School Principals Annual Conference in Williamsburg on November 29 – December 1, 2001. Information, including the agenda and registration, is provided in Superintendent’s Memo No. 155 and is available on the Virginia Department of Education’s Web site at: http://www.pen.k12.va.us/VDOE/suptsmemos/2001/inf155.html.

The video series will begin airing on the Virginia Department of Education Hour in November. For a schedule of the Virginia Department of Education Hour programs, please visit the technology division's Web site at: http://www.pen.k12.va.us/VDOE/Technology/DOEhour/DOETVnov01.html.

Further information regarding this video series may be obtained from Kathleen M. Smith (mailto:ksmith@mail.vak12ed.edu), specialist for remediation, at (804) 786-5819.

JLD/KMS/pl