Through a meta-analysis of studies on instructional strategies, they have identified nine families of strategies that significantly increase student achievement. The results of this meta-analysis point educator to a proven pedagogy with teacher-tested, tried-and-true techniques that work to increase student achievement through cognitive and cooperative efforts.

The skills are organized in a 'framework for quality' that includes observable skills in four instructional areas:

• Creating an Environment for Learning,
• Teaching the Standards of Learning
• Structuring Interactions with Learning,
• Reflecting about the Learning.