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High leverage practices, or HLPs, are recognized as critical practices that can be implemented deliberately by educators to support student learning in an effort to meet specific learning goals. In order for an instructional practice to be considered a high leverage practice, it must meet certain criteria:

• The strategy must focus on an instructional technique.
• It must be a technique that is used routinely in the classroom.
• It must be a method that is proven to increase student engagement and academic success.
• The practice must be able to be utilized cross-curricularly; it should exemplify a functional approach to teaching and learning, regardless of the content or content area.

This is all technical teacher-speak for a research-based instructional strategy that can be used frequently by teachers in any classroom to achieve specific learning goals. Now, what does this look like in practice for students with special needs? HLPs are typically categorized into four types: collaboration, assessment, social/emotional/behavioral, and instruction.

Collaboration, as it sounds, involves a cooperative effort among a child’s entire educational team, from parents and teachers, to occupational therapists, pediatricians, to cognitive behavioral specialists. Sometimes referred to as “wraparound services,” the goal of collaborative HLPs is to ensure that all members of the child’s support system are on the same page, working towards the same goals. One HLP is to plan, organize, and facilitate routine meetings between support systems. During these meetings, the child’s learning goals are established, evaluated, and revisited as needed. Another aspect of collaborative HLPs involves networking, so to speak. Too often, families can feel lost or overwhelmed by a child’s unique learning needs. Therefore, it is critical that support services, resources, and guidance be provided in a collaborative effort to ensure that each child’s academic needs are met.

HLPs that fall under the assessment category are used to identify and capitalize on a student’s unique strengths. For instance, one practice involves using several various sources of information and data to evaluate a student’s full realm of capabilities and needs—educators cannot simply rely on standardized tests and rote assessments in order to determine a child’s abilities. When it comes to assessments, another HLP involves the use of assessment data as a means for modifying content, reestablishing learning goals, and reteaching. Teachers are not just scoring tests and moving on—we use this data as a checkpoint on the road to student growth.

Social/emotional/behavioral HLPs begin with the idea that consistency and mutual respect are essential to providing a positive and enriching learning environment. Providing children and teens with constructive, positive feedback and opportunities to grow in their social abilities are additional high leverage practices frequently utilized by educators. Finally, behavior support plans and interventions also qualify as high leverage practices. These plans are designed and created in an effort to curb negative behaviors by providing students with positive reinforcement, coping strategies, and alternative methods for working through emotions.

Instructional HLPs encompass a vast array of strategies and techniques that many teachers simply deem “best practices.” One involves short and long-term goal-setting, an HLP that helps to prioritize a student’s learning needs by aligning ability level to grade level-specific benchmarks. Adapting and/or modifying learning materials within the curriculum is another beneficial practice—this is usually accomplished with the help of the special education team and with a student’s IEP or 504 accommodations in mind. Repeated, explicit instructions in multiple forms, including written and verbal, are also instructional HLPs that help to ensure students know what they are expected to do—and how to do it.

In part two, we will share specific instructional techniques that fall under the category of HLPs. In addition to using these in the classroom, we will provide tips and tricks for how to utilize these educational methods at home for virtual learning.

Extracurricular activities are known to increase academic performance. In addition to the obvious health benefits that physical activities provide, participation in athletic programs can also instill life-long lessons and important skills that cannot readily be taught in the classroom. Children and teens who participate in athletic programs, whether school-based or not, are encouraged to confront challenges while developing these crucial abilities. Whether students participate in activities involving a team, or as individuals, they garner certain skills that can help to better prepare them for college and careers.

Focus

A certain level of focus is necessary when participating in sporting events, no matter the activity. Specifically, think about those heart-pounding, pulse-pumping, do-or-die moments on the court or field—these are the times when laser focus is developed.

• Basketball players will need to block out the noise of the fans in order to make a game-winning foul shot.
• Golfers need to focus on the speed of their swing and assess the curves of the green to sink a putt.
• Swimmers need to be hyper-focused on the sound of the starting gun to leave the block with rapid speed.
• Soccer players will need to take shots on the goal without a moment’s hesitation.

There are countless more examples of instances in sports where participants will need to rely on their ability to focus. The point is that, when developing this skill, athletes learn to ignore distractions, eliminate doubt, make necessary adjustments, and employ quick thinking to react on a dime. These skills translate into adulthood as well. Whether attending a post-secondary college or university, or going straight into the workforce, the ability to focus on a project or task, no matter the environment, is an invaluable skill.

For instance, for any type of first-responder—firefighters, EMTs, police officers, etc.—the ability to block out one’s chaotic surroundings and focus on the primary goal of safety is crucial. A career in the corporate world, while less dire, will also involve quick thinking, problem-solving skills, and sound decision-making based on information/data. Again, this level of mental stamina and focus can be cultivated through competitive sports.

Teamwork

Across the board, teamwork is a buzzword that appears in nearly every job posting, no matter the level of education required or salary suggested for the position. Therefore, formal schooling is not the only place where team-building and cooperative skills can be acquired.

Competitive sports allow children to recognize the importance of everyone’s contribution towards the goal. Participants may not be the highest scorer on the team, but their efforts and contributions create circumstances in which their teammate or teammates will be able to score, ensuring victory for the team. A competitor may not receive the glory of the recognition that comes with the winning 3-pointer, touchdown, goal, or 1st place medal, but this is no way negates his or her input. Similarly, the workplace is going to demand high levels of teamwork—it’ll be up to each individual on the team to put in his/her best efforts in order for the whole company, or group, or team, or business to achieve success. Just like with the MVP of the game—we can’t all be the CEO of the company, but we can do everything in our power to contribute to the team’s efforts.

Grit

Grit is often a determining factor between success and failure—this is true on the court or field, as well as in institutes of higher learning and in the workplace. Simply put, grit is the innate desire to persevere and achieve, despite any previous failures or challenging obstacles in the way. In sports, we often hear the phrase, “It’s not the size of the dog in the fight, but the size of the fight in the dog.” This level of competitiveness and grit is certainly nurtured through experiences with competitive sports and other athletic activities. Likewise, perseverance through trial and error in school and in a future career will be critical to lifelong achievement.