The Fidelity Trap

Authors Lisa May, Jeanne Spiller, and Matthew Treadway provide a practical framework for all educators. This book helps teachers and leaders honor their adopted curricular resources with fidelity while ensuring every student truly masters essential standards. By utilizing a unit navigation framework and an assessment refinement process, educators can make confident, student-centered decisions that strengthen instruction across any school.

K–12 leaders and teachers can use this book to:

• Clarify essential standards and their importance for effective teaching and learning
• Balance fidelity to curricular resources with necessary instructional flexibility
• Enhance understanding of learning progressions and the educator’s role in guiding instruction
• Foster collaboration and professional learning to ensure instructional effectiveness
• Empower and support fellow teacher leaders in navigating complex educational demands

Contents:
Introduction
Chapter 1: The Must-Reach Destinations—Essential Standards as the Foundation
Chapter 2: Intentional Stops on the Journey—Learning Progressions
Chapter 3: Assembling the Map—Curricular Resource Design
Chapter 4: Navigating the Paradox—How Teams Begin Living Fidelity With Flexibility
Chapter 5: Reading the Map, Not Driving on Autopilot—Taking Action to Align Essentials and the Resource
Chapter 6: Staying on Course—Planning Lessons That Blend Essentials With the Resource
Chapter 7: Checking the Mile Markers—Assessing Mastery of Essentials
Chapter 8: Protecting the Path Forward—Leadership for Clarity
Conclusion: Beyond the Fidelity Trap
References and Resources
Index