Identifying teaching practices to support students of all abilities

This paper outlines possible ways to improve learning among all students through the systematic and deliberate exploration of strategies used by teachers. The teachers were part of a group who were successful in facilitating growth for students of all abilities. The paper discusses findings consolidated from teacher focus group discussions, planning documents, lesson observations, and teacher interviews. It highlights key instructional practices to support students of varying abilities in reading comprehension as well as numeracy. This work explores the practices of effective teachers in order to develop a conceptual framework of factors that contribute to achievement in all students, with particular emphasis on factors that contribute to growth in top quartile students.