Board of Education Presentation February 8, 2011 Dr. Mary Cooksley Director, Curriculum and Instruction

A Grade Level Benchmark describes what a student should know and be able to demonstrate in each content area at each grade level. All GLB’s and Components are available at: Go to: Curriculum and Instruction Go to: Curriculum Development

All core areas and encore areas will have GLB’s after school year. Those with GLB’s now are: Social Studies, Foreign Language, FCS, IT, AG, & Business. All GLB’s and Components are available at: Go to: Curriculum and Instruction Go to: Curriculum Development

Those working on GLB’s this year include: Math, Science, Language Arts, Physical Education and Art. Instrumental and Vocal Music will be completed next school year. All GLB’s and Components are available at: Go to: Curriculum and Instruction Go to: Curriculum Development

Grade Level Benchmarks align the curriculum from one grade to the next so teachers know what instruction is taking place at each grade within a content area. All GLB’s and Components are available at: Go to: Curriculum and Instruction Go to: Curriculum Development

Example: Grade Level Benchmark or GLB 4 th Grade Social Studies Students will demonstrate an understanding of how to utilize components of maps/globes.

An overall grade is given for the course, not for individual content or skills. Example Social Studies = B

An overall grade will be given for the course in grades 3-12 A grade for each Grade Level Benchmark will be given for grades PK – 12 A Work Habits grade will be given for grades PK – 12. Example: 4 th Grade GLB #1 Students will demonstrate an understanding of how to utilize components of maps/globes. = 3 Overall Grade for Social Studies = B Work Habits Participation = 2

Reporting out by Grade Level Benchmark gives families information describing how well a student is performing based on a specific piece of content or skill.

Families will be provided more information about: What students are expected to learn Strengths and weaknesses specific to each subject Work Habit behaviors important to learning

Performance on Grade Level Benchmarks has direct impact on students learning what they need to know to be successful at the next grade level.

Methods used to report and grade vary widely currently from one teacher to another, even among those who teach at the same grade level within the same school.

Yes – Grades 3-12 will still use letter grades Letter grades will be given and Grade Point Average (GPA) will be maintained. Grades will be based on academic performance related to the Grade Level Benchmarks

Yes With the adoption of the Common Core/Iowa Core, many schools are moving toward reporting out by “Standards” Some Iowa schools include: Ankeny, Norwalk, Johnston, College Community, Fort Dodge, Fairfield, Pleasant Valley, Bettendorf, Cedar Falls, Burlington, Marshalltown, Mt. Pleasant, Wapsie Valley, Webster City, Ballard, etc.

Work Habits are behaviors that support the learning process

Homework will count for no more than 25% of the overall grade What students learn by doing homework will be reported as Academic Performance

Homework is defined as: Work completed overnight used for practice on a skill/concept Students should be able to do the work independently Teachers will assign work directly related to the curriculum Teachers will keep assigned work brief Homework will count for no more than 25% of the overall grade/GLB

Teachers will collaboratively determine grading policy Teachers will communicate grading policy at beginning of school year or at the start of each trimester

Professional Development includes: Grade book pilot in late winter/spring On-going DLT and BLT building communication Train-the-trainer session grade book pre-service 1 st Trimester review of grade book This is a process and not an event – we will strive to make our curriculum, instruction, and assessment as consistent as possible

The Communication Plan Includes: Informational sessions – PAC, PTO, DAC, BOE Articles in local newspaper District website Information at registration Kindergarten Round-up Spring Parent/Teacher Conferences information Parent Portal Meet the Teacher Night in the Fall

Grade Level Benchmark reporting is scheduled for the 2011 – 2012 school year Not all areas will report out the first year A Grading and Reporting Guideline Book will be available to parents A Complete list of Grade Level Benchmarks and Components will be available and on-line access provided This is a process and not an event – we will strive to make our curriculum, instruction, and assessment as consistent as possible