ACADEMIC STANDARDS AND STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT
It's time to assess our academic programs, strengthen what is working and change what isn't. Quality academic curriculum, high standards, appropriate staff development and strong student support programs are needed for all students to reach their maximum achievement potential.
Let's work together to raise and support high expectations for student achievement!
Purpose of Academic Standards:
- Focuses curriculum an educational programs on student achievement and student outcomes.
- Establishes what a student should learn in core academic subjects per grade level.
- Establishes how well a student should be able to demonstrate what they have learned.
- Establishes overall goals for students, schools, and the district as a whole.
How should we determine how high to set our Academic Standards?
- Review the standards of high achieving districts in California and the nation.
- Review core academic subjects as to what is being taught in Pleasanton in comparison to these high achieving districts.
- Review what grade level core academic subjects are being taught in Pleasanton in comparison to these high achieving districts.
- Develop baseline assessment data based on current academic standards.
- Compare our students' performance to students in high achieving districts using the same assessment exams. (SAT/9, Advanced Placement, Golden State Exams, SAT, ACT, etc.)
- Determine what student and teacher support programs high achieving districts offer that we do not.
- Determine the educational expectations of the community.
Who is responsible for setting the Academic Standards for the district?
- The School Board is responsible, as they are the policy makers for the district.
- The District committee on Academic Standards and Student Achievement can be given the charge to do the work listed above and return with a recommendation to the Board.
- Community input should be sought during board meetings and when the committee makes interim reports to the Board.
What happens if we don't accomplish our adopted Academic Standards?
- The District will not reach these goals overnight.
- Goals are set where the district aspires to be based on the potential of our students.
- Community support is critical.
- The State STAR assessment program will help us assess our progress yearly.
- The District committee including parents, teachers, school board members, and curriculum personnel should review assessment data to revise curriculum, support programs and teacher training to aid the district in meeting the Academic Standards.
Remember that it is better to aim for the moon and miss, than to aim for the ground and hit!
.......Cindy McGovern
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