Page 88 - 2017academicreport

Table of Contents

levels; and (8) Continue to refine the curriculum, instruction, and assessment annually, based on students’
results.
● Examine the 4-8 unit-based curriculum for Science and back map the eligible content and skills to be mastered by
grade 8, ensuring spiraling of content through instructional and learning opportunities and formative assessment.
o Key Personnel: Assistant Superintendents, 4-8 Principals, 4-8 Teachers
o Timeline: 12/1/2017 - 9/1/2018
o Major Action Steps: (1) Examine unit-based curriculum for science in grades 4-8; (2) Determine where
each of the eligible content items are being addressed already and determine any gaps or areas of
duplication without a progression of learning; (3) Identify additional big ideas tied to the eligible content
and embed them in the unit-based curriculum by grade level; (4) Design learning activities and identify
resources to support mastery of the learning goals; (5) Infuse the Next Generation Science Standards
where appropriate; (6) Create common assessments by unit; (7) Establish professional learning
communities within each building and across buildings through the use of both face-to-face and video
conferencing technology to share ideas and learning across grade levels; and (8) Continue to refine the
curriculum, instruction, and assessment annually, based on students’ results.
● Identify pockets of excellence at the building or classroom level that allow further expansion of effective
practices. Common assessments could be utilized to initiate these conversations among data teams of
teaching professionals.
o Key Personnel: Principals, Professional Staff
o Timeline (Anticipated Start/Finish): 12/1/2017 - 5/1/2018
o Major Action Steps: (1) Continue to conduct walk-through observations and capture examples that can be
shared with staff during building meetings and in-service; (2) Include examples during pre/post-
conference observation meetings; and (3) Establish a culture of data in which professionals can analyze
results of common assessments and share the approach used to attain them.

● Consider how teacher specific data can be used to identify strengths in the effort to replicate effective
practices across the district.
o Key Personnel: Principals, Professional Staff
o Timeline (Anticipated Start/Finish): 12/1/2017 - 5/1/2018
o Major Action Steps: (1) Conduct walk-throughs with predetermined criteria based upon teacher specific
data with administrators across buildings and grade spans; (2) Document and share the approach used to
attain effective results; (3) Foster professional learning communities to engage in collaborative inquiry
and discussion of best practices; and (4) Capture instructional strategies within the unit-based curriculum.

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