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Instructional Empowerment Library

Learn research-based approaches that will change the way you think about rigor, engagement, and deeper learning.

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District-Operated Microschools: Recorded Webinar with Michael D. Toth & Dr. Michael Grego

National webinar on how district-operated microschools work and why they win back families.

Webinar Recording: Redesigning Schools with Michael Toth & Dr. Michael Grego

A webinar for leaders who want to redesign public schools and increase student enrollment.

Applied Research Center Brief: Reduced Teacher Burnout with a Model that Improves School Culture

Findings from a study of 76 elementary, middle, and high schools.

Redesigned Public Schools to Recapture Market Share

A report for leaders who want to compete with choice providers and avoid school closures.

Why School Districts Need to Develop Market Share Systems

Increase student enrollment by focusing on four key systems.

The Ultimate Guide to Academic Rigor

What does academic rigor look like, why is it important, and how do we use it to empower all students?

The Turnaround Trap: Why Quick Fixes Fail Students

Original research and insights to build the systems for school improvement.

How Student-Led Behavior Management Will Change Your Classroom

Structures for self-management help students engage in meaningful team learning.

The Overlooked Skills That Power Academic Achievement and Student Growth

The truth is, you can’t reach rigorous academic outcomes without also developing all the skills that power learning.

Lead With HOPE Podcast: Bring Back Joy to Learning with Michael D. Toth

Uncover how to bring back joy to teaching and learning in this podcast.

[Peer-Reviewed Research] Turning Around Chronically Low-Performing Schools

Can professional development and coaching turn chronically low-performing schools around?

[Peer-Reviewed Research] The Role of Self-Efficacy, Motivation, and Perceived Support of Students’ Basic Psychological Needs in Academic Achievement

How self-efficacy, motivation, and perceived support boosts academic achievement.

[Peer-Reviewed Research] An Exploratory Analysis of Early Adopters in Education Innovations

What motivates teachers to lead innovation—and how can leaders support them?

Funding What Matters: A Guide to Securing Grants for Deeper Learning

Get expert tips from a master grant writer in this free, practical guide.

How Willard Elementary Climbed to #2 in ELA Growth and #9 in Math Among Illinois K–6 Schools

Case study: Willard Elementary improved achievement and student outcomes using Instructional Empowerment’s Model of Instruction for Deeper Learning.

Activating Rigor in Your Pre-K Curriculum with Deeper Learning

It’s a common question: Can pre-K students really engage in deeper learning? The answer—backed by field experience—is yes. Deeper learning supports early literacy and engagement in ALL early childhood classrooms.

How Schools Are Increasing Student Achievement with RigorWalk, a Research-Validated Classroom Walkthrough Tool

RigorWalk is a research-validated classroom walkthrough tool proven to predict student achievement and used nationwide, including in Chicago Public Schools.

[Peer-Reviewed Research] Leading Indicators of Academic Achievement: Investigating the Predictive Validity of an Observation Instrument in a Large District

This study of 53 Illinois schools examines the validity of the Rigor Appraisal tool.

The Key to Increasing Student Engagement? Stop Overexplaining

See how shifting ownership to students increases engagement and achievement—without burning out teachers. Examples of what to look for in classrooms.

English Learners Are Capable of More—If We Make the Shift to Deeper Learning

To improve outcomes for English learners, we need a model of instruction that empowers all students to engage in deeper learning.