Visible Learning at CSF

At Cooley Springs-Fingerville Elementary, we are committed to ensuring that every student grows and thrives through high-quality instruction. Our teachers and staff participate in Visible Learning professional development, grounded in the research of John Hattie. This work focuses on identifying what has the greatest impact on student learning and ensuring that our daily practices are intentional, evidence-based, and student-centered.

For the past eight years, CSF has been deeply engaged in studying John Hattie’s educational influences to guide and strengthen our instructional practices. Over the last three years, we have partnered with Corwin to provide our teachers with high-quality professional development that supports this work and ensures consistency across classrooms. As a result of our commitment to research-based practices, we are now in the process of applying to become a National Certified Visible Learning School, a distinction that reflects our dedication to student growth, collaboration, and impactful teaching.

Through Visible Learning, our teachers engage in professional learning communities where they study, plan, and apply strategies proven to accelerate student achievement. Our school-wide professional learning emphasizes:

• Collaboration among teachers and staff to plan instruction and reflect on student learning.

• Student engagement through meaningful tasks and active participation in the learning process.

• Feedback and self-assessment, so students clearly understand where they are in their learning and what steps to take next.

• Instructional scaffolding that provides the right level of support at the right time, ensuring all students can access rigorous content.

In addition, teachers prioritize Teacher Clarity, designing lessons with clear learning intentions and success criteria. Students are taught to answer three key questions: What am I learning? Why am I learning it? How will I know I have learned it? These questions strengthen student ownership of learning and keep the focus on growth.

At CSF, Visible Learning is not just professional development—it is our school-wide culture. It influences how we plan, how we teach, and how students learn. Together, we are creating classrooms where learning is visible, engaging, and impactful for every child.