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School Pilot-to-Scale

Lead the shift to deeper learning with a small team, creating momentum without overwhelming your teachers or your budget.

Start Small and Watch Attendance, Behavior, and Achievement Improve Within 16 Weeks

Every principal dreams of a school where students come eager to learn, classrooms run smoothly, and achievement keeps climbing.

The challenge is creating systems that make this vision a reality—systems that build teacher capacity and help all students become successful learners.

The Model of Instruction for Deeper Learning was designed to do just that through a step-by-step process that shifts classrooms from teacher-directed methods to student-led teams.

By starting the shift with a small pilot team, principals can build momentum without overwhelming staff or budgets. Our coaches guide you through forming an excited group of volunteers and building strong teacher buy-in for lasting implementation.

Within just 16 weeks, schools see:

  • Improved behavior
  • Higher engagement
  • Greater student agency
  • Increased achievement

These visible wins build faculty confidence and natural adoption so you can expand the implementation organically, avoiding the typical compliance-driven rollout.

Middle school teacher stands next to a table of six students who are working in a team as part of a school partnership to scale deeper learning.

What Student-Led Teams Look Like in Practice:

  • Students work together with clear roles and rigorous tasks, gradually taking on more responsibility as they collaborate, lead, and think critically.
  • Structured protocols ensure deeper learning reaches every student, including English learners and students with disabilities.
  • Teachers shift from being the director of learning to the more fulfilling role of being a coach as students take on more ownership.
Talk to an Expert

“When we implemented the Model of Instruction, what I'm seeing now is we are catching kids that we did not catch.”

Principal Derien Latimer from Madison Elementary in Colorado Springs School District 11 shares how the Model of Instruction for Deeper Learning has allowed his school to successfully reach more students. The school is now seeing higher engagement and more students achieving grade level proficiency.

Why Deeper Learning, Rigor, and Agency Matter for Students

Deeper Learning

What it means: Students lead their own learning through rigorous, collaborative tasks that build both academic understanding and essential life skills like critical thinking, communication, and teamwork.

Why it matters: Deeper learning helps all students grow into confident, capable leaders who can transfer their knowledge to new situations, work effectively with others, and navigate a complex, changing world.

Rigor

What it means: Students are consistently challenged to think deeply, apply knowledge in new ways, and engage in complex tasks that stretch their cognitive abilities.

Why it matters: Rigor is not about doing more work—it’s about doing meaningful work that pushes students to analyze, evaluate, create, and persist through challenges.

Agency

What it means: Students take ownership of their learning by setting goals, making choices, and reflecting on progress.  They are active participants, not passive recipients. They make decisions, solve problems, and make meaningful contributions in the classroom.

Why it matters: When students own their learning, they become more motivated, self-aware, and prepared for the independence required in life and work beyond school. 

How a School Pilot
Creates Measurable Student Impact

Over 16 weeks, your pilot team receives the resources, coaching, and structure to put deeper learning into practice and build a foundation for schoolwide adoption and success.

Why Schools Choose This Pilot Over Typical Professional Development:

Small, focused team: 3–5 teachers plus an instructional coach lead the way with a shared passion for deeper learning
Job-embedded: Modules take less than an hour per week and teachers apply the model immediately with their students
Impact-focused: Teams measure the change in student evidence rather than focusing solely on course completion
Collaborative: Teams share practices, give feedback, and build a common language for deeper learning
Expert-supported:  Every team is paired with an Instructional Empowerment coach (all former educators)
Results-driven: Early wins are often visible in week 1, and classrooms typically experience a full transformation in 16 weeks

Recommended Packages

Accelerate Package: Getting Started with Teachers and Instructional Coaches

The Accelerate Package equips a group of five teachers—along with one instructional coach (or a teacher leader, school leader, or other facilitator acting in that role)—to implement student-led teaming in their classrooms. Together, this pilot team learns, plans, and shares feedback and insights. 

An Instructional Empowerment expert coach supports the pilot team through live virtual coaching calls, answering questions, reviewing data, and providing tailored guidance.

The Accelerate Package Includes:

  • 5 Annual Subscriptions to the Teacher Suite
    • Interactive learning modules (under 1 hour/week) with next-day classroom application.
    • Digital resources including standards-aligned tasks, real-time student analytics, and membership to an educator community.
  • 1 Annual Subscription to the Instructional Coach Suite
    • Full access to all Teacher Suite resources.
    • Access to coach-specific resources in a robust digital library.
    • PLC Suite with additional tools, resources, and strategies for lesson planning, guiding teacher growth, and sustaining deeper learning.
    • Look & Learn coaching tool to award Implement Badges to teachers based on student evidence.
  • 6 Model of Instruction 101 Toolkits
    • Laminated classroom resources used daily by teachers and students to build collaboration, ownership, and structure.
  • 7 Virtual support credits (60 minutes each)
    • Live virtual coaching sessions scheduled at your convenience, providing personalized expert guidance.

Cost: $4,994*

* We can adjust this package and pricing to fit the number of teachers you need.

Talk to an Expert

An expert educator will reach out to you within two business days to set up a meeting and guide you through the next steps for your pilot and provide a purchase request. 

Empowerment Package: Getting Started with Teachers, Instructional Coaches, and School Leaders

The Empowerment Package brings together five teachers, one coach, and two school leaders to drive systemic change. While teachers implement the Model of Instruction for Deeper Learning, coaches and leaders provide aligned support through feedback, planning, and PLC facilitation. 

With shared goals and the support of an Instructional Empowerment coach, the pilot team builds a strong foundation for schoolwide instructional improvement and broader adoption.

The Empowerment Package Includes:

  • 5 Annual Subscriptions to the Teacher Suite
    • Interactive learning modules (under 1 hour/week) with next-day classroom application.
    • Digital resources including standards-aligned tasks, real-time analytics, and membership to an educator community.
  • 1 Annual Subscription to the Instructional Coach Suite
    • Full access to all Teacher Suite resources.
    • PLC Suite with additional tools, resources, and strategies for lesson planning, guiding teacher growth, and sustaining deeper learning.
    • Look & Learn coaching tool to award Implement Badges to teachers based on student evidence.
  • 1 Annual Subscription to the Assistant Principal Suite
    • School Leader Companion Guide with practical strategies to strengthen instructional leadership, track progress with leading data, and build schoolwide implementation over time.
    • Look & Learn coaching tool to award Implement Badges to teachers based on student evidence.
    • Access to role-specific resources in a robust digital library.
    • Access to the Teacher Suite, PLC Suite, and Coach Suite (view only).
  • 1 Annual Subscription to the Principal Suite
    • School Leader Companion Guide with practical strategies to strengthen instructional leadership, track progress with leading data, and build schoolwide implementation over time.
    • Look & Learn coaching tool to award Implement Badges to teachers based on student evidence.
    • Access to role-specific resources in a robust digital library.
    • Access to the Teacher Suite, PLC Suite, and Coach Suite (view only).
  • 6 Model of Instruction 101 Toolkits
    • Laminated classroom resources used daily by teachers and students to build collaboration, ownership, and structure.
  • 11 Virtual support credits (60 minutes each)
    • Live virtual coaching sessions scheduled at your convenience, providing personalized expert guidance.

Cost: $7,594*

* We can adjust this package and pricing to fit the number of teachers and leaders you need.

Talk to an Expert

An expert educator will reach out to you within two business days to set up a meeting and guide you through the next steps for your pilot and provide a purchase request. 

Build Your Own Package

Create your own quote using the calculator below or connect directly with one of our expert educators who will take the time to understand your school’s unique situation and talk you through your options. 

Get a copy of your personalized pilot pricing delivered to your inbox. An expert educator will reach out to you within two business days to set up a meeting and guide you through the next steps for your pilot and provide a purchase request. 

Additional Support Available

These are just some of the additional supports we can provide in our school partnerships. To see the full range of options, schedule a consultation with our expert educators to discuss the details and pricing.

  • Onsite Coaching and Support
    • Onsite School Leadership Coaching: An individual principal or school leadership team receive personalized coaching on identifying rigorous instruction, providing feedback to teachers, and making data-based decisions. Every Instructional Empowerment leadership coach is a former principal or has equivalent experience.
    • Onsite Faculty Coaching: A small group of teachers and instructional coaches receive on-the-spot guidance as they teach, collaborate on effective lesson plans, and make concrete instructional improvements. Every Instructional Empowerment faculty coach is a former educator.
    • Onsite Calibration Training for Look & Learns: A small group of leaders walk side-by-side with an Instructional Empowerment Coach who facilitates Look & Learns and then leads a discussion and analysis to create an action plan together.
  • Onsite Professional Development Sessions
    • Onsite Model of Instruction 101: Up to 50 teachers and instructional coaches learn about team-centered classrooms, practice using classroom resources to build student ownership, and leave ready to launch into deeper learning with their students the very next day. 
    • Onsite Designing Interdependent Tasks 101: Up to 50 teachers and instructional coaches take a deep dive into standards-based lesson planning with step-by-step guidance for creating rigorous team tasks. Time is allotted for feedback, reflection, and revisions.
  • RigorWalk
    • RigorWalk is the nation’s most research-validated classroom walkthrough tool and can accurately predict student achievement.
    • Leading data enables leaders to address challenges without waiting for end-of-year test scores.
    • Subscriptions to the RigorWalk tool, plus optional training and coaching, are available.
  • Communities of Practice
    • When multiple schools in an area participate in pilots, their principals and instructional coaches can come together to engage in learning sessions with their peers.
      • Principals: Discuss data trends and share best practices for leadership.
      • Instructional Coaches: Discuss lesson planning and share strategies for supporting teacher growth.
  • Educators’ Conference
    • During this three-day professional learning experience, educators from across the country gather in Orlando, Florida to deepen their learning through expert hands-on sessions and network with peers to share best practices for student-led learning.
  • Books
    • The Power of Student Teams is a multi-award-winning book by Michael D. Toth and David A. Sousa about the neuroscience behind student-led team learning and how it can help students develop life skills far beyond what traditional pedagogy and familiar grouping strategies can offer.
    • Fostering Deeper Learning is a handbook by Deana Senn, a former educator, with practical tips for how teachers can make classrooms more rigorous and engaging. The book also includes insights into how school leaders can support the shift to deeper learning.
  • School Improvement Partnerships
    • Schools in Comprehensive Support and Improvement (CSI) and Targeted Support and Improvement (TSI) status, those aiming to prevent future designation, and those who have just exited state turnaround status benefit from this highly supportive partnership that includes professional development, coaching, measurement tools, and more.

Proven Schoolwide Impact

Students Outperformed District Achievement

McLaughlin Middle School students outperformed district averages by 13% in reading and 7% in math, while significantly closing performance gaps across student groups.

Discipline Referrals
Decreased

The year before implementing the Model of Instruction for Deeper Learning, Lakewood Elementary School had 734 referrals. After one year of partnering, referrals dropped to 207.

Twice the Reduction in Chronic Absenteeism

A study of 76 schools implementing the Model of Instruction for Deeper Learning found that 79% reduced chronic absenteeism, at a median rate of 5.6%—over twice as much as the national average (2%). 

Teacher Retention
Improved

Moseley Elementary created a culture of professional growth and improved morale as teachers implemeted the model. While they previously had a 56% turnover rate, they reduced teacher turnover to 17%.

Listen to teachers and students talk about the impact of adopting the Model of Instruction for Deeper Learning. Video Credit: School District U-46, IL.

Hear how this high school increased student engagement and improved outcomes. Created in collaboration with Wyoming County Schools, West Virginia.

What Principals, Teachers, and Students Are Saying

“
Ali MoorePrincipal, Colerain Middle School, Northwest Local School District, OH

“IE's structure is better than a program because this is about true teaching. This is truly about how we look at teaching our students, how we get them to become independent learners.”

“
Rod FoleyPrincipal, Walnut Middle School, Grand Island, NE

“There was a huge decrease in referrals because our kids were just more engaged in class. They were doing things that were meaningful to them and they were happy to be there.”

“
Shelby BellamyTeacher, Moseley Elementary School, Palatka, FL

“Everything changed when we got the whole school behind student-led team learning.”

“
Michelle WildsInstructional Coach, Moseley Elementary School, Palatka, FL

“Teachers started to see that when students had some control in a positive way over their own learning, they wanted to learn.”

“
Ashley PailleTeacher, Bernon Heights Elementary School, Woonsocket, RI

“It's taught my students how to work together, it's taught my students how to be respectful, and it's taught my students how to have conversations with people and not just behind a screen.”

“
High School StudentPalm Beach County School District, FL

“Helping someone else learn really makes me happy. It helps me with my leadership. I actually take most of the responsibility because it’s my life and control, it’s what I can do in the future.”

“
4th Grade Elementary StudentPutnam County School District, FL

“I was very shy in 3rd grade. I didn’t get what was going on and everything was just really confusing, but now that teaming came into this school, I’ve been more confident in my work, and I’ve been making more progress than I was in 3rd grade.”

Tips for a Successful Pilot Launch

Step 1

Step 2

Step 3

Identify Teachers Who Share a Vision for Student Success

  • Bring your teachers together to share the vision for how the Model of Instruction for Deeper Learning will help them get powerful results for their students.
  • Invite teachers to volunteer and clearly outline the resources and support they’ll receive.
  • Aim for a pilot team of at least 3 teachers who can collaborate and build a strong foundation together.

Equip Your Team with the Teacher Suite and Toolkits

  • Explore the packages above to see what matches your school’s needs.
  • Consult with one of our expert educators to design a pilot grounded in best practices and tailored to your context.

Launch, Support, and Expand Your Pilot

  • Bring your pilot team together to set clear goals and define what success looks like for both students and teachers.
  • Share your role as a leader in supporting implementation. Consistent encouragement and visible involvement build momentum.
  • Emphasize collaboration and community and celebrate growth at every stage.
  • As classrooms succeed, invite other teachers to observe and learn, expanding your pilot team and multiplying impact across the school.

When classrooms are self-managed, student-led, and rigorous, everything changes—engagement rises, behavior challenges decrease, and teachers gain the confidence and capacity to focus on what matters most: student learning.

Talk to an Expert to Design Your Pilot

Connect with an experienced educational leader to explore how the School Pilot-to-Scale works, what it takes to implement effectively, and how it’s helping schools nationwide launch into deeper learning.