Curriculum Needs Summary

Background:

During the month of October the teachers in each building (Eisenhower-October 5th, DeLay-October 9th, and Lace-October 19th) were given the charge to answer two questions in relation to the curriculum needs in the district. Faculty were informed that the purpose of the task was to obtain feedback from them as to the direction the district should take in reviewing the curriculum across the district. Input would be gathered resulting in a strategic plan creating a long-term cycle for curriculum development and review within District 61.

Initially faculty met as buildings and answered the following question:
What subject area needs the most focus?
Summary of Feedback:

Of the 162 responses the following data was gathered: 55 % indicated Language
27 % indicated Math
9 % indicated Science
5 % indicated Social Studies
5 % indicated PE/Health
0 % indicated Spanish
0 % indicated Explore

Once this data identified the subject area for review, each building spent about 20 minutes focusing on Language to identify what they currently like, don’t like and offered prescription for change. Language encompasses reading, writing, speaking, and listening. These responses were later grouped under broader categories based on common elements or ideas.

Overall, the common items identified as "We Like" could be grouped into four categories: Writing, Vocabulary, Comprehension, and Technology.

The common items identified as we "Don't Like" could be grouped into four categories: Basal Series, Writing, Comprehension, and Other.

The common items identified as "Prescription for Change" could be grouped into four categories: Reading Strategies, Writing Strategies, Grammar/Spelling, and Personnel.

Plan of Action:

Based on the feedback received the focus this year will be to review aspects of Language.

Since we already have the K-8 Reading Instructional Model this would cover may of the elements listed under Vocabulary, Comprehension, Basal Series, and Reading Strategies. The goal for this area would be to:

•Implement the K-8 Reading Instruction Model and address identified implementation.


To address the writing comments an identified staff of teachers from each building and a variety of subject areas, should:

•Develop a K-8 Writing Model which will provide a scope and sequence between grade levels and building.

During the 2008-09 school year implementation changes as suggested will begin the process of review/recommendation for the next areas most identified: Mathematics.

The Overview attached shows the cycle to be followed beginning this year and continuing until 2017. While the cycle is listed below it is important to note that each year, as the cycle moves forward, curricular areas are at different phases of review and/or adoption.

Language
Mathematics
Science
Social Studies
PE/Health
Spanish/Explore/Fine Arts

November 13, 2007 Update

Curriculum and Instruction

Curriculum Discussions:

The summary of the Curriculum Needs Discussions has been provided in the Board Packet. The following District goals have been established for 2007-08:

*Implement the K-8 Reading Instruction Model and address identified
implementation needs.
*Develop a K-8 Writing Model to develop a scope and sequence between
grade levels and building.
*Continue to use a variety of assessments (ISAT, IMAGE, DIBELS, ISEL,
Curriculum Based assessment) to improve instruction.

Buildings are working on specific goals and the final page of the School Report Card will be posted by the end of the week. This will show the specific goals each building has established. In addition, for more details the final page will direct individuals to the specific school principal.

The building goals will further refine the District goals or address building specific issues based on individual needs identified by staff in each building. In addition, each building will continue to use team meeting times and SIP/Institute days to refine, develop, and evaluate the established goals.

To address the Writing Model a committee of teachers has been established and we are planning to meet November 20th to begin the process.

They will be provided a packet of information which will guide the process. It will be a multiple step process beginning with seeing how we currently address writing in relation to grade levels and the Illinois Writing Standards. It is also a time to share what else is being done with writing across the district.

Currently the following members have been identified for the committee:

DeLay School: Kristie Lupella, Meredith Holdman, Kristin Shell, and Kim McShea
Lace School: Bonnie Bucholz, Janet Boslett, Gerry Dulkoski and Ann Centers
Eisenhower: Jorie Kaspar, Marian Krupicka, Michelle Ktistou, Melissa McGannon

Staff Development

The survey results from the October 19, 2007 School Improvement Day are included in your packet.





Assessment

IMAGE Testing:

There will be a change in the way students are tested. English Language Learners will take ISAT this year instead of the IMAGE testing. This change is due to the fact that the United States Department of Education (USDE) did not feel that the IMAGE testing met the NCLB criteria. This has been a concern from the USDE that the ISBE has been working with for the last three years.

This is not a unique challenge in Illinois as nationally school districts are working with identifying a type of assessment for a growing population of English Language Learners. Input meetings are taking place across the State to determine the types of acceptable accommodations that should be given to these students. DuPage County, through the DCCD (DuPage County Curriculum Directors), is gathering input for the county to share at the upcoming meeting. We have provided feedback on suggested accommodations.