ABSTRACT
Dr. Duncan described the process: An initiative of this magnitude, one that involved every teacher and instructional leader was new to us. The process began with the community engagement process that identified critical thinking, creativity, communication, and collaboration as the district's instructional pillars. As Dr. Duncan notes with change of the magnitude envisioned they want all members of the community to be involved, to share in the decision-making and to, therefore, have a stake in what is about to take place. Teachers would be eliciting not only problem identification and resolution but critical thinking in students' analysis of which solutions are better and why. The teams offered the non-evaluative support necessary for teachers to take risks, reflect, and grow. Helping structure professional development for the district was the team that focused on Authentic Intellectual Work (AIW), one that derived inspiration from the work of Fred Newmann and his associates.
