The Instructional Leader’s Guide to Closing Achievement Gaps: Five Keys for Improving Student Outcomes
November 10, 2025
By Teresa D Hill
9781416632894
All the tools that educators need to improve student outcomes and close achievement gaps.
Although it's easy to connect out-of-school factors such as poverty or the pandemic to achievement gaps in schools today, education leaders need to focus on what's within their school or district’s control to ensure equitable learning outcomes for their students.
In this practical guide for K–12 instructional leaders, superintendent Teresa D. Hill outlines five keys to effectively close achievement gaps: meaningful assessment, language and literacy, experience and exposure, consolidation of knowledge, and perfect practice. She walks readers through a step-by-step process so that they can
Develop a deep understanding of the achievement gaps in their school or district, including the sources and perpetuators of those gaps.
Prepare their team for the capacity-building work ahead.
Closely examine the five most meaningful and effective strategies for improving outcomes that fall within their school's sphere of influence.
Develop and implement a real-world action plan, including short-, moderate-, and long-term steps for closing gaps.
November 10, 2025
By Teresa D Hill
9781416632894
All the tools that educators need to improve student outcomes and close achievement gaps.
Although it's easy to connect out-of-school factors such as poverty or the pandemic to achievement gaps in schools today, education leaders need to focus on what's within their school or district’s control to ensure equitable learning outcomes for their students.
In this practical guide for K–12 instructional leaders, superintendent Teresa D. Hill outlines five keys to effectively close achievement gaps: meaningful assessment, language and literacy, experience and exposure, consolidation of knowledge, and perfect practice. She walks readers through a step-by-step process so that they can
Develop a deep understanding of the achievement gaps in their school or district, including the sources and perpetuators of those gaps.
Prepare their team for the capacity-building work ahead.
Closely examine the five most meaningful and effective strategies for improving outcomes that fall within their school's sphere of influence.
Develop and implement a real-world action plan, including short-, moderate-, and long-term steps for closing gaps.
November 10, 2025
By Teresa D Hill
9781416632894
All the tools that educators need to improve student outcomes and close achievement gaps.
Although it's easy to connect out-of-school factors such as poverty or the pandemic to achievement gaps in schools today, education leaders need to focus on what's within their school or district’s control to ensure equitable learning outcomes for their students.
In this practical guide for K–12 instructional leaders, superintendent Teresa D. Hill outlines five keys to effectively close achievement gaps: meaningful assessment, language and literacy, experience and exposure, consolidation of knowledge, and perfect practice. She walks readers through a step-by-step process so that they can
Develop a deep understanding of the achievement gaps in their school or district, including the sources and perpetuators of those gaps.
Prepare their team for the capacity-building work ahead.
Closely examine the five most meaningful and effective strategies for improving outcomes that fall within their school's sphere of influence.
Develop and implement a real-world action plan, including short-, moderate-, and long-term steps for closing gaps.
North Dakota United is dedicated to providing researched-based, member-driven, relevant, high-quality programs to advance skills, communication, and leadership opportunities. Book studies are typically one credit courses that last approximately six weeks. One credit equates to 15 hours of study. Expectations include reading the book, answering discussion questions, responding to others’ responses, and a reflection paper/action plan.
COST
Book studies are FREE to North Dakota United members.
All participants (members and non-members) are responsible for obtaining the book and the $50 credit fee to UND to have your credit recorded onto your transcript. The fee to participate in an NDU book study for non-members is $100, plus the $50 credit fee to UND.
If you have questions, please contact: amy.flicek@ndunited.org
