Think Deeply. Communicate Clearly. Learn for Life.

Our districtwide focus on Claims, Evidence, and Reasoning (CER) equips students to analyze, explain, and apply what they learn — skills essential for success in college, career, and life.

What is CER?

Claims, Evidence, and Reasoning (CER) is a simple but powerful way for students to demonstrate understanding:

Claims

🗣️ State your answer clearly.

A claim is your main point or conclusion — what you believe or what you found.

Evidence

📊 Back it up with facts.

Evidence is the data, details, or examples that support your claim.

Reasoning

💡 Explain how it fits together.

Reasoning connects your evidence to your claim and shows why it makes sense.

Why It Matters

CER helps students:
• 🧠 Think critically and analyze information before forming conclusions.
• ✍️ Write and speak with clarity, backing up ideas with evidence.
• 💬 Collaborate and listen, learning from diverse perspectives.
• 🌎 Apply learning to real-world problems and current issues.

When every classroom uses CER, students develop confidence in their voice and the ability to explain their thinking — a skill that lasts a lifetime.

How It Looks in the Classroom

Science

Students conduct experiments and explain results through data-driven reasoning.

English Language Arts

Writers support claims with textual evidence and analysis.

Math

Learners justify solutions and explain their process to peers.

Social Studies

Students evaluate multiple sources to build well-reasoned arguments.

Instructional Focus: Claims, Evidence & Reasoning (CER)

  • How does Lynwood Unified measure growth in its instructional focus?
    We measure growth in our instructional focus through guided planning, classroom observation, and student learning evidence.
  • What role does collaboration play in improving instruction?
    Each school engages in collaborative lesson design and data reflection sessions. These sessions help teachers refine instruction, share best practices, and monitor student progress.
  • What are the key components of this approach?
    - Guided Planning: Teachers co-design lessons that strengthen students’ use of claims, evidence, and reasoning across subjects.
    - Data Reflection Sessions: School teams analyze student work and assessment data to identify trends, celebrate growth, and plan support.
    - Instructional Walkthroughs: Leaders and coaches visit classrooms to highlight strong CER practices and provide feedback.
    - Student Voice: Students reflect on how CER helps them explain their thinking and deepen understanding.
  • What makes this approach effective?
    By connecting guided planning, reflection, and data-driven decision-making, we ensure that CER is not just seen in classrooms — it’s continuously strengthened across Lynwood Unified.

Learning with AI

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is expanding opportunities to make thinking visible. Teachers and students are using AI tools to:

AI doesn’t replace reasoning — it strengthens it. Our goal is to ensure students use technology thoughtfully, responsibly, and creatively as part of the learning process.

Think Deeper with Better Prompts

Generate prompts that spark deeper reasoning.

Find Stronger Evidence Through Analysis

Analyze writing or data to identify stronger evidence.

Reflect and Refine with Real-Time Feedback

Reflect on explanations and receive real-time feedback.