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Training & Technical Assistance Center

High-Leverage Practices Asynchronous Learning Opportunity

High Leverage Practices Pillars Image

 This webpage was created to bring together High Leverage Practice (HLP) resources from multipleorganizations across Virginia and the country into one easy-to-use source. Recognizing that it can be difficult to locate the wide variety of resources across the web, this site aims to curate and organize materials from multiple partner organizations to create a more streamlined and accessible learning experience.

Our goal is to help educators quickly find the tools, supports, and learning resources that best meet their needs from multiple agencies without having to search across multiple sites.

The activities and resources on this page are designed for asynchronous learning and exploration of the HLPs. You may choose to begin with the Self-Assessment Tool to help identify areas of strength, interest, or growth.

Resources on this page include:

  • HLP Highlight Tools
  • HLP Rubric Tools
  • Action planning supports
  • Webinars and Faculty Guides
  • Additional general resources

Resources are organized by Domain, Pillar, and related HLPs to make navigation simple and efficient for busy educators and school teams.

The CEEDAR Center has made a free High-Leverage Practices for Special Education e-book available to the public. 

Self-Assessment and Reflection

To support exploration of the HLPs according to your interests or needs, Self-Assessment Tools are available. Two surveys (for self-assessment) are available by following the link above. One survey is organized by HLPs and a second, a short screener, includes random statements operationalizing the HLPs that may be scored according to focus areas within the HLPs.

Focus area (not Domain) and question number

Scoring
__________________________________________________________

  • Collaboration: 1, 4, 9, 14, 17 ____ out of 25
  • Assessment: 3, 8, 11, 12, 19 out of 25
  • Socio-emotional/Behavioral: 5, 6, 13, 18, 20 ____ out of 25
  • Instructional: 2, 7, 10, 15, 16, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25 out of 50

The numbers following each focus area are the numbers of the questions within the short screener referring to that focus area. These focus areas correspond to the following HLPs: Collaboration (HLPs – 1, 2, 3), Assessment (HLPs – 4, 5, 6, 11, 12), Socio-Emotional/Behavioral (HLPs – 7, 9, 10, 13,14, 15, 16, 18, 20, 21, 8/22), and Instructional (HLPs - 7, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 8/22).

To begin your work, the Short Screener to assess your knowledge around the HLPs - High Leverage Practices Short Screener is suggested. Once you have completed the screener and organized your scores according to focus area, please consider your future work by using the button below that will lead you to an online form for reflection. Consider these questions within your reflection:

  1. What is going well and where is there room for growth?
  2. Upon which HLP(s) would you like to focus? (Using the results from your self-assessment.)
  3. Establish a goal(s) for your work. Your goal might resemble a specific item from the self-assessments. What action steps will you need to take to meet the goal(s)? How will you measure your growth? What will successful outcomes for students look like?

Once you complete your reflection survey on your future work, submit and a professional learning certificate will be provided for two hours of learning.

REFLECTION SURVEY

Introduction to the HLPs

Introductory Video to the Revised HLP for Special Education

HLP Specific Highlight and Rubric Tools, and Other Resources

Organized by Domains:

  • Collaboration
  • Data-Driven Planning
  • Instruction in Behavior and Academics
  • Intensify and Intervene as Needed

Domain - Collaboration

HLP Pillars:

HLP One – Collaborate with Professional to Increase Student Success

October 9, 2024 HLP 1 Collaboration Session

  1. Highlight Tool – HLP Highlight Tool - HLP 1: Collaborate with Professionals to Increase Student Success (VDOE TTAC at GMU) - TTAC Online
  2. Rubric Tool - Rubric – HLP 1 Collaborate with Professionals to Increase Student Success (VDOE TTAC at GMU) - TTAC Online
  3. Faculty Guide for HLP One - HLP Faculty Guides - HLP 1

HLP Three – Collaborate with Families to Support Student Learning and Secure Needed Services

May 14, 2025 - HLP 3 Collaborate with Family

  1. Highlight Tool - HLP Highlight Tool - HLP 3: Collaborate with Families to Support Student Learning and Secure Needed Services (VDOE TTAC at GMU) - TTAC Online
  2. Rubric Tool - Rubric – HLP 3 Collaborate with Families to Support Student Learning and Secure Needed Services (VDOE TTAC at GMU) - TTAC Online
  3. Faculty Guide for HLP 3 - HLP Faculty Guides - HLP 3

Embedded HLP:

HLP Two – Organize and Facilitate Effective Meetings with Professionals and Families

  1. Highlight Tool – HLP Highlight Tool – HLP 2: Organize and Facilitate Effective Meetings with Professionals and Families (VDOE TTAC at GMU) – TTAC Online
  2. Rubric Tool – Rubric – HLP 2 Lead Effective Meetings with Professionals & Families (VDOE TTAC at GMU) – TTAC Online
  3. Faculty Guide for HLP Two - HLP Faculty Guides - HLP 2

Domain - Data-Driven Planning

HLP Pillar:

HLP Six – Use Multiple Sources of Information to Develop a Comprehensive Understanding of a Student’s Strengths and Needs

November 13, 2024 - HLP 6 Data Driven Planning Session

  1. Highlight Tool - HLP Highlight Tool - HLP 6: Use Student Assessment Data, Analyze Instructional Practices, and Make Necessary Adjustments that Improve Student Outcomes (VDOE TTAC at GMU) - TTAC Online
  2. Rubric Tool - Rubric – HLP 6 Use Assessment Data, Analyze Instructional Practices and Make Adjustments that Improve Student Outcomes (VDOE TTAC at GMU) - TTAC Online

Embedded HLPs:

HLP Four – Use Multiple Sources of Information to Develop a Comprehensive Understanding of Student’s Strengths and Needs

  1. Highlight Tool – HLP Highlight Tool - HLP 4: Use Multiple Sources of Information to Develop a Comprehensive Understanding of a Student’s Strengths and Needs (VDOE TTAC at GMU) - TTAC Online
  2. Rubric Tool - Rubric – HLP 4: Use Multiple Sources of Information to Develop a Comprehensive Understanding of a Student’s Strengths and Needs (VDOE TTAC at GMU) - TTAC Online
  3. Faculty Guide for HLP Four - Revised- HLP Faculty Guides - HLP 4

HLP Five – Interpret and Communicate Assessment Information to Collaboratively Design and Implement Educational Programs

  1. Highlight Tool – HLP Highlight Tool - HLP 5: Interpret and Communicate Assessment Information to Collaboratively Design and Implement Educational Programs (VDOE TTAC at GMU) - TTAC Online
  2. Rubric Tool - Rubric - HLP 5 Interpret and Communicate Assessment Information to Collaboratively Design and Implement Educational Programs (VDOE TTAC at GMU) - TTAC Online

HLP Eleven – Identity and Prioritize Long-and Short-Term Goals

  1. Highlight Tool – HLP Highlight Tool - HLP 11: Identify and Prioritize Long- and Short-Term Goals (VDOE TTAC at GMU) - TTAC Online
  2. Rubric Tool - Rubric – HLP 11 Identify and Prioritize Long- and Short-Term Learning Goals (VDOE TTAC at GMU) - TTAC Online

HLP Twelve – Systematically Designed Instruction Toward a Specific Learning Goal

  1. Highlight Tool – HLP Highlight Tool - HLP 12: Systematically Designed Instruction Toward a Specific Learning Goal (VDOE TTAC at GMU) - TTAC Online
  2. Rubric Tool - Rubric – HLP 12 Systematically Design Instruction Toward a Specific Learning Goal (VDOE TTAC at GMU) - TTAC Online
  3. Faculty Guide for HLP Twelve - HLP Faculty Guides - HLP 12

Domain - Instruction in Behavior and Academics

HLP Pillars:

HLP Seven – Establish a Consistent, Organized, and Respectful Learning Environment

January 8, 2025 - HLP 7 Learning Environments

  1. Highlight Tool – HLP Highlight Tool - HLP 7: Establish a Consistent, Organized, and Responsive Learning Environment (VDOE TTAC at GMU) - TTAC Online
  2. Rubric Tool - Rubric & Checklist – HLP 7 Establish a Consistent, Organized, and Responsive Learning Environment (VDOE TTAC at GMU) - TTAC Online
  3. Faculty Guide for HLP Seven - HLP Faculty Guides - HLP 7

HLP Sixteen – Use Explicit Instruction

December 11, 2025 - HLP 16 Explicit Instruction

  1. Highlight Tool – HLP Highlight Tool - HLP 16: Use Explicit Instruction (VDOE TTAC at GMU) - TTAC Online
  2. Rubric Tool - Rubric – HLP 16 Use Explicit Instruction (VDOE TTAC at GMU) - TTAC Online

Embedded HLPs:

What to Teach:
HLP Nine – Teach Social Behaviors

  1. Highlight Tool – HLP Highlight Tool - HLP 9: Teach Social Behaviors (VDOE TTAC at GMU) - TTAC Online
  2. Rubric Tool - Rubric – HLP 9 Teach Social Behaviors (VDOE TTAC at GMU) - TTAC Online
  3. Faculty Guide for HLP Nine - HLP Faculty Guides - HLP 9

HLP Fourteen – Teach Cognitive and Metacognitive Strategies to Support Learning and Independence

  1. Highlight Tool – HLP Highlight Tool - HLP 14: Teach Cognitive and Metacognitive Strategies to Support Learning and Independence (VDOE TTAC at GMU) - TTAC Online
  2. Rubric Tool - Rubric – HLP 14 Teach Cognitive and Metacognitive Strategies to Support Learning and Independence (VDOE TTAC at GMU) - TTAC Online
  3. Faculty Guide for HLP Fourteen - HLP Faculty Guides - HLP 14

HLP Twenty-One – Teach Students to Maintain and Generalize New Learning Across Time and Settings

  1. Highlight Tool – HLP Highlight Tool - HLP 21: Teach Students to Maintain and Generalize New Learning Across Time and Settings (VDOE TTAC at GMU) - TTAC Online
  2. Resource - HLP 21 Admin Guide.pdf

How to Teach:

HLP Eight – Provide Positive and Constructive Feedback to Guide Students’ Behavior

  1. Highlight Tool – HLP Highlight Tool - HLP 8: Provide Positive and Constructive Feedback to Guide Students’ Behavior (VDOE TTAC at GMU) - TTAC Online
  2. Rubric Tool - Rubric – HLP 8 Provide Positive and Constructive Feedback to Guide Students’ Behavior (VDOE TTAC at GMU) - TTAC Online

HLP Twenty-Two – Provide Positive and Construction Feedback to Guide Students’ Learning

April 9, 2025 - HLP 22 Positive and Constructive Feedback

  1. Highlight Tool - HLP Highlight Tool - HLP 22: Provide Positive and Constructive Feedback to Guide Students’ Learning - TTAC Online
  2. Rubric Tool - Rubric - HLP 22 Provide Positive and Constructive Feedback to Guide Students’ Learning (VDOE TTAC at GMU) - TTAC Online
  3. Faculty Guide for HLP Twenty-Two - HLP Faculty Guides - HLP 22

HLP Thirteen – Adapt Curriculum Tasks and Materials for Specific Learning Goals

  1. Highlight Tool – HLP Highlight Tool - HLP 13: Adapt Curriculum Tasks and Materials for Specific Learning Goals (VDOE TTAC at GMU) - TTAC Online
  2. Rubric Tool - Rubric – HLP 13 Make Adaptations to Tasks and Materials (VDOE TTAC at GMU) - TTAC Online
  3. Faculty Guide for HLP Thirteen - HLP Faculty Guides - HLP 13

HLP Fifteen – Provide Scaffolded Supports

  1. Highlight Tool – HLP Highlight Tool - HLP 15: Provide Scaffolded Supports (VDOE TTAC at GMU) - TTAC Online
  2. Rubric Tool - Rubric – HLP 15 Provide Scaffolded Supports (VDOE TTAC at GMU) - TTAC Online
  3. Faculty Guide for HLP Fifteen - HLP Faculty Guides - HLP 15

HLP Seventeen – Use Flexible Grouping

  1. Highlight Tool – HLP Highlight Tool - HLP 17: Use Flexible Grouping (VDOE TTAC at GMU) - TTAC Online
  2. Rubric Tool - Rubric – HLP 17 Use Flexible Grouping (VDOE TTAC at GMU) - TTAC Online

HLP Eighteen – Use Strategies to Promote Active Student Engagement

  1. Highlight Tool – HLP Highlight Tool - HLP 18: Use Strategies to Promote Active Student Engagement (VDOE TTAC at GMU) - TTAC Online
  2. Rubric Tool - Rubric - HLP 18 Use Strategies to Promote Active Student Engagement (VDOE TTAC at GMU) - TTAC Online

HLP Nineteen – Use Assistive and Instructional Technologies

  1. Highlight Tool – HLP Highlight Tool - HLP 19: Use Assistive and Instructional Technologies (VDOE TTAC at GMU) - TTAC Online
  2. Video - HLP #19: Use Assistive and Instructional Technologies | High-Leverage Practices

Domain - Intensify and Intervene as Needed

HLP Pillar:

HLP Twenty – Provide Intensive Instruction for Academics and Behavior

March 12, 2025 - HLP 20 Intensive Intervention for Academics
February 2025 - HLP 20 Intensive Intervention for Behavior 
  1. Highlight Tool – HLP Highlight Tool - HLP 20: Provide Intensive Instruction for Academics and Behavior (VDOE TTAC at GMU) - TTAC Online
  2. Rubric Tool - Rubric – HLP 20 Provide Intensive Instruction for Academics and Behavior (VDOE TTAC at GMU) - TTAC Online
  3. Faculty Guide for HLP Twenty - HLP Faculty Guides - HLP 20

Embedded HLP:

HLP Ten – Conduct Functional Behavioral Assessments to Develop Individual Student Behavior Support Plan

  1. Highlight Tool - HLP Highlight Tool - HLP 10: Conduct Functional Behavioral Assessments to Develop Individual Student Behavior Support Plans (VDOE TTAC at GMU) - TTAC Online
  2. VDOE Resources – FBA/VIP Guidelines Functional Behavior Assessments and Behavior Intervention Plans: Guidelines for Effective Development and Implementation March 2025

Resources

High-Leverage Practices Resources - CEEDAR

  • The CEEDAR Center link provides a wide range of resources for exploration and implementation of the High Leverage Practices to support positive outcomes for students with disabilities.

High-Leverage Practices- Council for Exceptional Children

  • The link to the Council for Exceptional Children webpage regarding HLPs provides an overview of the HLPs, their restructuring, and information regarding culturally inclusive pedagogies and practices.

Self-Assessment Tools

  • Two surveys are available by following this link; one survey organized by HLP and a second that is a short screener including random statements according to Domain

Crosswalk between the HLPs and the What Works Clearinghouse IES Practice Guide Recommendations

  • This resource includes What Works Clearinghouse-reviewed intervention topics in behavior, math, reading/writing, school readiness, and technology. It also provides research-based recommendations that are linked to the relevant High-Leverage Practices (HLPs) for classroom use.

High-Leverage Practices Leadership Guides - CEEDAR

  • These guides are intended for school leaders (administrators, teacher coaches, mentors, etc.) to support their teams in effectively implementing the HLPs in the classroom.  This one-page Leadership Guide for each of the HLPs to informs how you support teachers in their use.

IRIS Center HLP Resources

  • The IRIS Center has a wealth of resources including in depth modules, case studies, and guides for a wide variety of instructional topics. This page has organized the resources by HLP domain and the specific HLP that they cover.
ChatGPT for the HLPs
  • This resource is a chatbot specifically trained on using the High-Leverage Practices to support students with disabilities. Asking questions here (rather than another AI Chatbot) will return answers more targeted to the HLPs and related resources.