Explore how high-level users of ASCD's Understanding by Design (UbD) have applied this best-selling framework to improve both student achievement and organizational effectiveness. Incorporating advice and guidelines from educators throughout the United States, John Brown gives you a behind-the-scenes look at how they leverage UbD principles to enhance student learning, student achievement, staff performance, and organizational productivity. Discover what it takes to expand UbD from a pilot project to a roadmap for systemwide improvement: (1) Ideas for using UbD to address state and district accountabilities; (2) Insights on using UbD to create lessons and units that promote student achievement; (3) Models and highlights of exemplary professional development programs incorporating UbD principles; and (4) Ways to link UbD to other school improvement efforts, including differentiated instruction and ASCD's What Works in Schools. The following chapters are included: (1) Implementing Understanding by Design: A Summary of Lessons Learned; (2) Designing and Developing School and District Curricula; (3) Promoting Student Achievement and Addressing State and District Standards; (4) Promoting Student Understanding; (5) Promoting Exemplary Professional Development Programs and Practices; (6) Improving Preservice Training and Teacher-Induction Programs; (7) Facilitating Organization Development, Continuous Improvement, and Strategic Planning; and (8) Looking to the Future of Understanding by Design. Appended are: (A) Educators Cited in Text; and (B) Locations of Focus Group Sessions.