Report Presents Five Key Objectives and Twenty Strategies that Significantly Boost Learning Experience
April 5, 2025 by Evelyne Hoffman | Education | 0 CommentsThe OECD just dropped their latest publication, "High-Quality Teaching Unleashed." This groundbreaking report identifies the secrets to effective teaching, based on a global collaboration exploring the nitty-gritty of quality instruction. But the best part? It offers practical strategies for implementations.
This OECD report presents research findings on teaching success, then shows how that knowledge can be put into practice. It was authored by Lawrence Houldsworth and Anna Pons, with research assistance from Paula María Rodríguez Sánchez. The project was overseen by Andreas Schleicher and Yuri Belfali. They tapped over 150 schools in 40 countries, partnering with more than 50 organizations, to create something truly extraordinary.
Here it is, straight from the source! This report boils teaching down to 5 vital goals and 20 essential practices. What works and how do schools make it happen? Check out the link below to dive in!
https://t.co/1cTf5BZCpK
Unlike other reports that just preach theory, this one brings together insights from teachers, researchers, and school leaders. It focuses on what works in the classroom and what it takes to get it working.
The core of the report breaks teaching down into 5 fundamental goals:
- Deep Learning (Cognitive Engagement)
- Quality Content
- Emotional Support
- Interactive Learning
- Formative Assessment
Each goal is backed by 4 concrete, research-supported practices. That's 20 core strategies you can observe or apply in schools! Let's explore these teaching game-changers!
5 Teaching Keys and 20 Practice Slayers
1. What's Better Than a Busy Student? A Curious One
Effective teaching means sparking students' curiosity and promoting deep learning, not idle compliance. Here's how:
- Challenge-worthy tasks
- Real-world anchors
- Hands-on experiences
- Self-awareness skills
Up in the Classroom
At Eltham High School (Australia), teachers join forces with metacognitive checklists and challenge-based projects, helping students reflect on the mental load and improve their resilience.
2. Stick That Knowledge Like Glue
Covering the curriculum isn't the end game. Deep understanding is. The following practices help build conceptual bridges and eliminate confusion:
- Clarity and consistency
- Interconnected topics
- Strong explanations and examples
- Thoughtful thinking skills
On Point Across the Ocean
At Chengdu Shishi Union Middle School (China), English teachers crafted theme-based review cycles, emphasizing connections and real-life use to help students grasp grammar and vocabulary.
3. Fill Their Emotional Tanks Before Pumping their Heads with Knowledge
Feeling emotionally safe is crucial for focusing on learning. Here's how teachers can create an emotionally supportive environment:
- Comfy class vibe
- Strong bonds
- Healthy peer relationships
- Skill development
Growing Love for Learning
In a massive US study, classrooms where students feel emotionally supported saw higher GPAs. Schools worked in team-building activities and reflection to boost relationships.
- Let Loose the Pow-Wows
Classroom discussions aren't just talk—they drive deeper understanding. Here's how effective teachers engineer engaging conversations:
- Open-ended queries
- Whole-class discussions
- Structured peer collaboration
- Regular student participation
- Assessment Ammo
Don't see assessment as a finish line. It's a lens. Feedback drives learning with timeliness, targeting, and actionableness (not generic compliments or punishments).
- Specific goals
- Continuous evaluation
- Adaptable feedback
- Real-time adjustments
Check out Wales' national strategy for embedding assessment cycles. Teachers use mini whiteboards, low-stakes quizzes, and structured peer feedback to assess student understanding before progressing.
Beyond the Books
- From Theory to Classroom Action: Schools report facing the most challenges with nuanced judgment practices, like metacognition or formative feedback, rather than rote delivery.
- What Helps Implementation: Shared instructional lingo, peer observation, leadership support, time for reflection, and professional learning grounded in real classroom footage.
- Global Insights: The OECD's video study discovered a giant gap in practice implementation—even within the same system. Some practices are common, like managing class routines, while others, like eliciting deep thinking or integrating real-world connections, are rare and need deliberate scaffolding.
Right BAttle, Right Time, Right Peeps, Right Place
All 20 practices are rooted in research, but some are tougher to apply, especially in under-resourced contexts. To simplify, here's a chart showing the complexity of each practice and its dependence on school context:
There's no magic bullet to teaching. What matters is using the right practice, at the right moment, with the right students, in the right context. High-quality teaching isn't a one-size-fits-all; it's about being smart, flexible, and responsive. This report serves as a friendly yet unyielding reminder: when teachers have the tools, support, and freedom, real learning unfolds.
FAQ - High-Quality Teaching Unleashed (OECD, 2025)
What's this report about?
High-Quality Teaching Unleashed helps schools implement effective teaching strategies, grounded in research and real-life classroom examples. This report combines insights from over 150 schools in 40 countries.
Who made this report?
This report was crafted by Lawrence Houldsworth and Anna Pons, with research support from Paula María Rodríguez Sánchez. It was supervised by Andreas Schleicher and Yuri Belfali and shaped by over 50 partner organizations.
What are the 5 goals of high-quality teaching?
- Deep Learning (Cognitive Engagement)
- Quality Content
- Emotional Support
- Interactive Learning
- Formative Assessment
Each goal includes 4 essential practices, resulting in a total of 20 core practices.
How was the report developed?
This report compiles findings from rigorous research, direct input from schools, expert reviews, and global teaching video studies.
Why is this report different from other education frameworks?
High-Quality Teaching Unleashed goes beyond saying what works to dicuss how teaching practices operate in real classrooms, what makes them complex, and how teachers can adapt them. It merges science, art, and craft, reflecting the realities of teaching, not just theories.
Can this be used by teachers directly?
Absolutely. The report offers:
- Practical classroom examples
- Descriptions of teaching decisions
- Observable student signposts
- Insights into implementation challenges
Who is this for?
This report is for teachers seeking to upgrade their practice, school leaders building learning cultures, policy-makers designing supportive structures, and researchers interested in evidence-based practice.
Where can I find this report?
The OECD publishing website has the report. Check it out!
This OECD report highlights 20 core strategies for effective teaching, split into five fundamental goals: Deep Learning, Quality Content, Emotional Support, Interactive Learning, and Formative Assessment. Each goal is backed by practical, research-supported practices, such as challenge-worthy tasks, clear explanations, or structured peer collaboration. The report offers practical examples from schools worldwide, bridging the gap between theory and classroom practice.
This comprehensive guide aims to help teachers, school leaders, policy-makers, and researchers improve the quality of education and self-development, focusing on learning in diverse contexts. To successfully implement these strategies, the report stresses the importance of shared instructional lingo, peer observation, leadership support, time for reflection, and professional learning grounded in real-classroom footage. The ultimate goal is to foster smart, flexible, and responsive teachers who can enable real learning unfold.
