After 100+ years the public school system has
now come to a point in time when the following characteristics are becoming a
reality in practice.
Learning
for ALL
J or Nike Curve (Continuous student achievement growth
Focus on Results (Customization for Individual Learners)
Equity and Quality (System able to overcome social
challenges)
Data Driven
Research Based
Continuous System Renewal
Learner-Centered
Principle-Centered
Instructional Alignment to National Common Core
"Anchor" Standards
Assessment for Learning (grading to enhance learning)
Move on When Ready” (seat time no longer entrenched)
The Fountain Hills Unified
School District has mirrored some of these needed changes with the following
initiatives and implementations:
FHUSD Building Effective School Plans reflect Common
Core Standards (CCS) Initiative
New mathematics curriculum for 2011-12 CCS aligned
ATI Galileo Benchmarks three times annually
Building Data Walls in place
Principals reporting quarterly to School Board on
"leading indicator" student achievement data
All campuses wireless allowing for mobile devices and
personal technology access
Software support in place and practice grades K-8
Redesigned building specific walkthrough templates
developed
Building level teams and administrators receiving
PD360 training with access to CCS module
Marketing now available for print, for social network,
for website and new mobile website
Flexible technology devices becoming more available in
addition to "Bring Your Own Device" (BYOD)
Online course development for regular credit as well
as credit retrieval in-house and with outside vendor
Despite these evolving changes "the work"
continues as 2.0 will not meet the needs of a changing educational, worldwide
culture of competition. Foundationally, our classroom teachers must continue to
focus on effective classroom lessons anchored by authentic college prep/career
ready reading and writing. Non-fiction text must dramatically increase both in
quality, quantity and complexity. "Checks for understanding" must
increase in regularity and for all students. Finally, our curriculum in the
classroom, must truly represent the Common Core stressing the standards
"anchors" or "power" standards. As negative and painful the
recent journey of public education has been for many educators, the current
journey offers opportunity to meet the needs of all learners - this is our mission.
Let us take control of the conversation and the continuing, necessary systemic
changes.
