Research consistently shows that classroom discourse quality is one of the strongest predictors of mathematical achievement. However, many school leaders have limited experience observing and supporting rich mathematical conversations. As a principal supervisor, you play a crucial role in helping principals develop the specialized knowledge and skills needed to lead this instructional shift across their campuses.
Help Principals Know What to Look For
- Co-conduct observations focusing specifically on discourse patterns in mathematics classrooms.
- Analyze transcripts of classroom discussions with principals to identify quality indicators.
- Create observation tools that help principals track student participation and reasoning depth.
- Develop exemplar banks of effective questions and discussion strategies observed across schools.
Build Principal Confidence in Providing Feedback
- Role play feedback conversations about discourse-related instructional practices.
- Practice identifying specific discourse strengths rather than general affirmations.
- Develop a progression of discourse expectations to guide growth-oriented feedback.
- Create question banks for principals to use in reflective coaching conversations.
Support Principal-Led Professional Learning
- Guide principals in facilitating teacher learning about discourse practices.
- Provide turnkey professional development resources focused on mathematical conversations.
- Develop video libraries of effective discourse from district classrooms.
- Establish cross-campus learning walks focused specifically on mathematical discourse.
Promote System-Wide Discourse Improvement
- Gather discourse-related data across schools to identify trends and needs.
- Create district-wide professional learning focused on discourse facilitation techniques.
- Recognize and celebrate campuses demonstrating growth in discourse quality.
- Establish benchmarks for discourse implementation across all mathematics classrooms.
Common Implementation Challenges
Challenge: Principals Focus on Surface Features
Solution: Help principals understand the difference between superficial turn-taking and substantive mathematical reasoning by providing specific examples of each.
Challenge: Inconsistent Expectations Across Campuses
Solution: Facilitate cross-campus calibration sessions where principals observe the same lessons and compare their feedback and expectations.
Challenge: Balancing Program Fidelity with Teacher Growth
Solution: Work with principals to establish a development progression that acknowledges teacher starting points while maintaining clear expectations for growth.
By developing your principals' capacity to support mathematical discourse, you create the foundation for transformative change that can be sustained across multiple campuses. When principals understand, value, and can effectively coach teachers on mathematical discourse, they become true instructional leaders who can bring the InsightMath vision to life in every classroom.