Why is it important to learn about high-leverage practices (HLPs)?

• A. To understand key strategies for effective teaching.
• B. To memorize standards for testing.
• C. To replace content knowledge with practices.
• D. To limit collaboration among staff.

Answer: (A)

High-leverage practices in literacy are the teaching actions that research shows produce the biggest gains in student learning. When teachers learn and apply these practices, they focus on what to do in the classroom that reliably supports students as they develop reading and writing skills. Understanding HLPs helps you identify and implement the strategies with the strongest impact, and it guides you to use them in ways that can work across different students and contexts. Examples include explicit instruction, modeling, guided practice, providing timely feedback, and making data-informed instructional decisions. This approach keeps teaching effective and actionable, rather than relying on isolated activities.

Learning about HLPs isn’t about memorizing standards for testing, so that option doesn’t fit the purpose of HLPs. It also isn’t about replacing content knowledge with practices—content knowledge remains essential and works in tandem with these strategies. And while collaboration is often a part of implementing HLPs, the goal isn’t to limit collaboration; these practices are frequently developed and refined through collaborative planning, coaching, and shared data discussions.