Curriculum News

Well it's official, the draft common core state standards are now available for public comment until Friday, April 2nd. According to the website these standards "define the knowledge and skills students should have within their K-12 education careers so that they will graduate high school able to succeed in entry-level, credit bearing academic college courses and in workforce training programs." It goes on to state six specific characteristics of the standards:

1. Aligned with college and work expectations;
2. Clear, understandable and consistent;
3. Include rigorous content and application of knowledge through high-order skills;
4. Build upon strengths and lessons of current state standards;
5. Informed by other top performing countries, so that all students are prepared to succeed in our global economy and society; and
6. Evidence-based

It will be interesting to see the changes (if any) between these standards and what we'll see adopted in April and then ultimately by the state of Illinois. More to come in the future as we continue to follow these changes and their impact upon our students and our whole school system.

ISAT testing was held from March 2 until March 12. The goal this year was 77% of our students meeting or exceeding standards in math and reading. Our teachers have worked very hard preparing the students to do their best, hopefully our results will reflect these efforts. The high school will be testing on the PSAE on April 28-29, which will conclude our mandatory testing for NCLB for the year. There is starting to be "talk" about reauthorization of NCLB (No Child Left Behind) although most have stopped using that title anymore. Instead, most are returning to the original title of ESEA (Elementary and Secondary Education Act). A good overview article of the current thinking was posted by Education Week and is titled Administration Unveils ESEA Renewal Blueprint.

So many are calling this a perfect storm. We have new standards coming in to play, new assessments in the works, new reauthorization of federal law and public funding for schools in Illinois in dire straits. It's going to be an interesting couple of years in the public school arena, the likes of which I have never witnessed.

In the spirit of being part of the solution and not the problem, my thanks this week goes out to Brad. Brad is a new teacher to our district and teaches 4th grade. Brad was willing to try online testing at the Intermediate School a couple of weeks ago. One of the very best things about working with him is his willingness to pursue new avenues. Not only is he very professional but he is also eager to try anything that can improve student learning or engagement. He works hard, setting high expectations not only for himself but his students as well. Brad is a tremendous asset to our organizational system, and I'm fortunate to get to work with him.

Thanks for reading
Tammy