22 High-Leverage Practices for Effective Teaching

What are high-leverage practices, and why do they matter? High-leverage practices (HLPs) are instructional techniques that teachers can use to significantly impact student learning. These practices are rooted in decades of research and proven to support diverse learners in achieving high academic standards. Whether you’re a new teacher or a seasoned educator, HLPs provide strategies that are universally effective across various classroom settings. In this article, we will explore each of the 22 high-leverage practices in detail, showing how these methods create a more engaging and effective learning environment.

But here’s the twist — we won’t start with the basics. Instead, imagine a classroom where every student is engaged, concepts are grasped quickly, and behavioral challenges are minimized. What’s the secret? These teachers are masterfully using HLPs to navigate their teaching with precision. For example, HLP #22: Provide Intensive Intervention highlights how individualized instruction can close learning gaps that might otherwise widen. This is not a strategy for a few students, but a crucial tool every teacher should have in their toolkit. Intensive intervention, when implemented well, not only accelerates student learning but also creates long-term success by addressing root learning issues.

Another example, HLP #7: Establishing a Positive Classroom Climate, is critical for fostering a learning environment where students feel safe, respected, and ready to learn. How does this happen? Through clear, consistent communication, setting up routines, and giving students a sense of ownership in their learning process. The challenge, though, comes in consistently applying these practices amidst the chaos that a classroom can sometimes bring. Yet, for teachers who understand how to use these high-leverage strategies, the results are unmistakable.

Why are these 22 practices considered "high-leverage"? It's simple: They have been selected for their ability to produce significant learning gains with a relatively small amount of effort compared to their impact. Think of these practices as the 80/20 rule in teaching — 20% of your efforts resulting in 80% of the success in student outcomes.

Let's break these down step by step. Some of the key practices you’ll read about include:

1. Providing clear, concise instructions (HLP #1): Without this, the most complex or engaging lesson can quickly fall apart.
2. Scaffolding instruction to build understanding (HLP #16): This ensures that students are able to connect what they already know with new information.
3. Checking for student understanding (HLP #6): Ongoing formative assessments help teachers gauge where each student is in their learning journey.

As we dive deeper, you’ll learn why HLPs are the key to being not just a good teacher, but a great one. They’re like a roadmap, guiding you through the often unpredictable terrain of classroom life. You don’t need to reinvent the wheel — these practices provide the framework, allowing you to focus on connecting with students and fostering real growth.

Exploring the 22 High-Leverage Practices

Below is an in-depth look at each HLP, highlighting how it can be implemented and why it matters in today’s classrooms.

1. Provide Clear, Specific Instruction (HLP #1)

Clear instruction is the bedrock of effective teaching. It’s essential for ensuring that all students, regardless of ability level, understand the expectations and objectives of a lesson. Whether you're teaching math, science, or history, how you communicate what needs to be done can make or break the lesson’s success.

Teachers can strengthen this practice by breaking down complex instructions into manageable steps, using both verbal and visual cues, and checking for understanding before moving on. One common mistake is assuming that silence means comprehension, which leads to students falling behind. Checking for understanding (HLP #6) is essential here, and we'll discuss that soon.

2. Maintain High Academic Expectations (HLP #8)

One of the most effective ways to encourage student success is by consistently upholding high academic expectations. This doesn’t mean making tasks harder; it’s about believing that all students can succeed when provided with the right supports. High expectations foster resilience, a sense of accomplishment, and a growth mindset among students.

3. Check for Understanding (HLP #6)

This high-leverage practice is crucial because it allows teachers to gauge where students are in their learning process. Quick, formative assessments such as exit tickets, quizzes, or even a quick question-and-answer session can provide invaluable data for adjusting instruction in real time. It prevents learning gaps from growing unnoticed.

4. Scaffold Instruction (HLP #16)

Scaffolding involves breaking learning into chunks and providing a tool or structure with each chunk. Teachers gradually remove these supports as students gain mastery. For example, a writing assignment might start with sentence frames for English Language Learners, but as they gain confidence, those frames are phased out.

5. Use Student Assessment Data (HLP #4)

Effective teachers constantly use data from assessments to make informed instructional decisions. This doesn’t only refer to high-stakes testing but includes all types of formative assessments. With accurate data, teachers can identify trends, adjust their teaching, and provide targeted support for students who need it.

6. Collaborate with Colleagues (HLP #18)

Collaboration among teachers is one of the most underrated but highly effective practices. Sharing resources, strategies, and even challenging cases can lead to better problem-solving and instructional innovation. Peer observations and joint lesson planning are great ways to implement this.

7. Promote Student Ownership (HLP #9)

When students have a say in their learning — whether through choosing a project topic or reflecting on their performance — they become more engaged and responsible learners. This doesn’t mean lowering expectations, but rather involving students in setting and achieving goals.

8. Use Multiple Means of Representation (HLP #12)

Differentiation is key in a diverse classroom. Teachers need to provide information in multiple ways — through visuals, hands-on activities, verbal instruction, and technology — to ensure that all students can access the content. A teacher who only relies on lectures is missing the opportunity to engage different types of learners.

9. Model Expectations (HLP #5)

The importance of modeling behaviors, skills, or tasks cannot be overstated. Whether it's showing students how to solve a math problem or modeling respectful communication, students need to see what success looks like in practice.

10. Provide Intensive Intervention (HLP #22)

As mentioned earlier, some students require more intensive, individualized instruction to meet learning goals. This might involve one-on-one tutoring, small-group instruction, or specialized learning tools. Intensive interventions target students who are significantly behind their peers, helping them to close the gap and meet academic standards.

These practices can be grouped into broader categories such as instruction, assessment, and collaboration. However, the common thread is that they are research-based and proven to significantly boost student learning outcomes.

High-Leverage Practices as a Framework for Effective Teaching

By using high-leverage practices, teachers can ensure that they are focusing their efforts on strategies that have the most significant impact on student learning. These practices serve as a framework that can be adapted to any grade level or subject matter, offering teachers a clear path to follow even when classroom dynamics are complex.

Moreover, these practices not only benefit students but also teachers. They help reduce the guesswork involved in lesson planning, allow for more consistent student engagement, and make classroom management more straightforward.

In the long run, mastering these 22 high-leverage practices allows teachers to build sustainable, effective classroom environments where both students and teachers thrive.