Regions
I & II
Region
III
Regions
IV, V & VI
Welcome to Idaho TIA
The Beginning of Something Great!
The Total Instructional Alignment (TIA) program was initially developed by Lisa Carter, a former elementary teacher and administrator, and now internationally-recognized trainer and author. TIA is a comprehensive, cutting edge response to the educational obligations outlined in the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act. This legislation requires teachers to not only teach, but also to ensure that every child has the opportunity to learn. Carter believes that given the oft ambiguous language of state standards, many teachers do not feel they are teaching what they are supposed to be teaching, nor that they are teaching what they are assessing (Carter, 2007). The TIA model is being continually adapted to fit the specific needs of Idaho schools and is now being implemented throughout the state.
The No Child Left Behind (NCLB) legislation, upon which the Idaho TIA framework is based, requires that states have accountability plans including standards and assessment. As outlined in the State of Idaho Accountability Workbook (2009), Idaho has developed and implemented achievement standards in Reading, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies. Again, the primary concern is that there is a broad range of interpretation among individual teachers, administrators, and districts regarding these standards.
The Idaho State Achievement Test (ISAT) was developed and is based on the Idaho State Achievement Standards. Idaho TIA focuses on the vertical and horizontal alignment of P-12 curriculum and instruction to these State Achievement Standards. Through the Idaho TIA process, called "task analysis," a determination of exactly “what a student needs to know and be able to do” is outlined, and it becomes clear how a student can demonstrate proficiency in each standard. This process also includes assessment strategies for each standard. The entire Idaho TIA process inherently increases the likelihood of improved student performance on the ISAT.
The ultimate outcome of Idaho TIA is a set of "living" documents that illustrate each standards, task analysis, instruction (including shelter instruction objectives and strategies), vocabulary, curriculum resources, and assessment. Teachers and administrators throughout the region have access to the IdahoTIA documents for use in their schools and classrooms.
With the arrival of National Common Core Standards for English, Language Arts, and Mathematics (assessments for these Common Core State Standards are scheduled to be available in 2014), Idaho TIA will continue to be the process by which new and/or modified standards will be translated into effective classroom teaching. And as always, the ultimate goal remains, “increased student achievement.”
"The partnership between the Idaho State University College of Education and Idaho local education agencies to deliver TIA to Idaho K-12 teachers and administrators is unique in the nation."
Lisa Carter, author of Total Instructional Alignment
P-12 teachers and administrators all share some common characteristics, one of which is that no matter how much emphasis, cajoling, and pressure is placed upon a new professional development technique; if it doesn't work in the classroom, teachers will not use it! If it works, the word spreads quickly and teachers use it in their classrooms. As more and more new school districts are registering to participate in the Idaho TIA project, this fact speaks for itself:
Idaho TIA is producing positive results in student achievement and teachers are experiencing its success in their classrooms!
Idaho TIA Member Districts
In its inaugural year, 2008, Idaho TIA had 10 participating school districts. Since that time, participation by school districts throughout the State of Idaho has more than doubled (40 districts as of June 2011). A complete list of participating districts is available for Regions I, II, III, IV, V, and VI.