Curriculum
USD #257 Curriculum Corner
2011-2012
“Tell me and I’ll forget; show me and I may remember; involve me and I’ll understand”
USD #257 is continuing initiatives started last year to address issues raised during a three-day visit initiated by the state of Kansas last year. As the result of a great deal of hard work by the staff and students, we are no longer designated a district on improvement. The district continues to address the areas of curriculum, instruction, and instructional leadership by focusing on increasing student engagement as a means of improving our student achievement.
Curriculum
In the area of Curriculum, a Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment Council (CIAC), composed of teachers and administrators, decided to address the area of reading and wellness for the 2011-2012 school year. Reading and Wellness Subject Area Committees (SACs) were formed with representation of teachers from every grade level and those who teach reading and health at the middle and high school. This committee will review current curriculum from Kindergarten through 12th grade and address any areas where there are gaps or overlaps. New standards have been adopted at the state level so they will be incorporated into the new curriculum. A draft curriculum will be completed this year and available to teachers for next school year. Common assessments are being given in the area of reading at the elementary level and reading and math at middle and high school. These are given to all students at intervals throughout the year to check for student achievement in these areas. The results provide feedback on the effectiveness of the curriculum as well.
The Math SAC, formed last year, completed a draft of the K-12 math curriculum and is working on planning instruction within grade-level teams this year.
Instruction
In the area of Instruction, the staff continues to implement the Instructional Practices Inventory. This observation process allows teachers the opportunity to measure the level of student engagement occurring in our classrooms. The data collected during this process is shared with staff by building and the teachers share with one another ways to increase student engagement as needed.
Smartboards have been added to many of our classrooms to enhance the engagement of our students in their learning experiences through technology. Our high school Biology teachers are piloting the use of Ipads with their students to integrate technology into their program. Our district also added laptop carts and additional computers in buildings and has established two Tech-Rich elementary classrooms where students are immersed in technology their entire day.
A number of our staff members were trained in cooperative learning strategies this summer and are beginning to implement them in their classrooms. Cooperative learning, when implemented appropriately, results in a high level of student engagement.
MTSS
Multi-Tier System of Support or MTSS is a Kansas -developed school improvement model which encourages the use of assessment data to provide levels of student intervention based on need. Our elementary schools are offering additional learning time in reading for all students. The MTSS teams are frequently evaluating the progress of students and making adjustments to meet their needs. The middle and high school MTSS teams are implementing various types of interventions as well. As part of the MTSS process, assessments are being used with students throughout the district to diagnose reading strengths and weaknesses.
During the 2011-2012 school year, the area of focus for MTSS is positive student behavior. The USD #257 MTSS team will be studying school-wide discipline plans and classroom strategies that can be implemented throughout our district to create high expectations and a positive learning environment for all students. As our buildings develop their plans, training and implementation will begin.
