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	Resources for Local Accountability Los Angeles Unified School District
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Contact Joan Evans, Director of Standards-Based Education jevans1@lausd.k12.ca.us Demographics Summary The Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) Web site contains sample standards-based lesson plans in language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies covering pre-K through grade 12 (not every grade in every subject area), as well as a few English as a second language (ESL) lesson plans. Lesson plans identify: content standard(s); rubric for assessment; instructional activities; time for each activity; and materials. LAUSD has been providing staff development for teachers to use the model lessons to design their own lesson plans. Site administrators have received training in the concept of standards-based lesson planning and how to conduct observations in classrooms to ensure implementation as intended. Sample Standards-based Lesson Plans Full Description The Los Angeles Unified School District has posted model standards-based lesson plans on the district Web site and provided staff development for teachers to develop their own lesson plans. Site administrators have been trained to observe classroom instruction to ensure standards-based lessons are implemented as intended. There is a difference between "standards-referenced instruction" and "standards-based instruction." Standards-referenced instruction means that a teacher refers to the content standards that will be covered in a lesson. However, the lesson plan may still look much like the traditional plan that identifies materials and student activities, and perhaps the summative assessment. Standards-based instruction goes a step further in the organization of a lesson plan for a unit of study. In planning a standards-based lesson, a teacher creates the steps in a different order than traditional lesson planning. The process is called "backwards mapping" to signify the difference from the traditional approach. A teacher starts with the assessment and then maps the learning activities and teaching strategies so that students will learn exactly what is to be assessed and in the same way it is to be assessed. There are variations, but the basic sequence is to identify the parts as follows: major content standards that are the target of the lesson; the summative assessment; the learning activities students will practice to reach mastery on the assessment; the instructional strategies to help diverse students succeed; and follow-up activities (e.g., reteach, move on) after assessment. The benefit of standards-based lesson planning is that the lesson objective and expected student performance are precise, explicit, and tightly aligned. A teacher focuses throughout the lesson on exactly what will be assessed at the end of the lesson. The teacher should include a variety of instructional strategies to reach a range of learning styles throughout a unit of study lasting one or more weeks. The teacher makes accommodations or modifications to the assessment and instruction for English learners to help them access the standards and to address English language development (ELD) standards. Lesson plans in language arts, mathematics, science, and social science may be downloaded in several formats for printing. Lesson plans identify target content standard(s), and present a rubric for assessment, directions to the teacher for the sequence of instructional activities, time, and materials. A sample lesson plan is presented below. Sample Standards-based Lesson Plans Subject Area: Grade: Standards: CULMINATING TASK/ASSIGNMENT What will the individual student produce to demonstrate achievement of the standard(s)? ASSESSMENT What criteria will be used to evaluate/score student work/performance of the culminating task? INSTRUCTIONAL ACTIVITIES/TIME What learning activities will the student be involved in to acquire content knowledge and skills to achieve the standard? Consider alternative strategies and modifications to promote equal access for all learners. How much time will be required for the student to complete each of the activities? RESOURCES What materials, textbooks, supplies, documents, etc., will support the student doing each instructional activity? The LAUSD lesson plans conform to the basic sequence of "backwards mapping" (see Understanding by Design by Wiggins and McTighe.) An outline of a lesson from the LAUSD Web site is presented below as an example. The LAUSD's Web site contains sample standards-based lesson plans written by district teachers in the subject areas of: language arts (grades pre-K to 12 plus ESL); mathematics (grades K-12); science (grades K-12); and social studies (grades K, 3-7, 10-12). In some districts that are committed to "standards-based education," the accountability system includes principal walk-throughs to observe implementation in classrooms. Principals review lesson plans with teachers, and coaches provide ongoing assistance to teachers as part of professional learning and accountability. Some districts require teachers to write standards-based lesson plans as part of the formal teacher evaluation process. Model lesson plans can be very helpful as teachers begin to change practice.

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