Key Benefits of SIM

A Focus on Literacy/ELA and Math

SIM provides targeted support for achieving high-quality, standards-aligned instruction in the content areas of literacy/ELA and math. It includes Foundation Curriculum Units that model such instruction and scaffolded support for creating standards-aligned curriculum using the school’s materials.

Schoolwide Instructional Focus (SIF)

To engage the entire school around the goal of college and career readiness, SIM provides training to all teachers and administrators that preserves the uniqueness of each content area but builds shared supports and expectations. SIF is designed to help all students achieve the following:

• Learn to understand and use academic language—the language used to communicate complex and technical information—so that students will be prepared for the demands of college and careers

• Develop college and career readiness learner competencies, enabling students to become self-directed, independent learners

To help all students meet these goals, SIF provides supports, in particular, for English language learners and students with special needs. Instructional routines, classroom rituals, and instructional practices that promote effective learning form the instructional foundations of SIF.

Access for All
 
SIM was developed to be comprehensive and flexible. It includes high-quality instruction for all students while providing support for differentiation when needed:

English Language Learners (ELLs)

• Promotes academic-language competency across content areas/disciplines

• Builds and strengthens schoolwide capacity to teach ELLs

• Scaffolds instruction for students

• Engages students in academic instructional conversations through collaborative learning
  

Students with Special Needs

• Engages students through varied modalities across all content areas

• Builds teacher capacity in supporting all learners in content areas

• Provides professional development for administrators in guiding, facilitating, and monitoring instruction and student engagement within content areas to increase success for students with special needs Technology 

Technology

SIM utilizes the latest technology to support the work of school educators and administrators, increasing effectiveness and efficiency. The model includes these tools and services:

• Progress-monitoring capabilities using custom iPad-based protocols

• 24/7 online access to tools and resources

• Dropout prevention early warning dashboard system for middle and high schools

• Professional-development webinars on key topics

• Professional development and technical assistance on effectively incorporating technology into classroom instruction