Analysis of JUSTCo’s ISTEP data for the years 2011-2014 reveals disturbing trends in both growth and achievement in grades 3-8 indicating lack of adequacy in our educational programming. According to Odden and Picus (2014), adequacy is defined as a “set of strategies programs, curriculum, and instruction, with appropriate adjustments for special-needs students... that is sufficient to provide all students an equal opportunity to learn to high performance standards” (p. 64). The following Instructional Program provides the research for school reform and best practices in the areas of curriculum, instruction, and assessment that provides all JUSCo students an adequate education including the inputs needed to notably increase student performance outcomes.
Vision…show more content… We treat standardized tests as the floor of teaching and learning, not the ceiling, and as a data point in our progress. Our expectations do not stop at academic achievement. Teaching the whole child is paramount, with student engagement and choice at the root of all curricular and instructional decisions in order to maximize student learning. Our district culture is built on the foundation of defined autonomy; the ability for all stakeholders to make decisions and take actions freely so long as it is in the best interest of students and moves us towards our district goals without compromising our integrity or principles. Each educator is dedicated to servant leadership whose purpose is to build capacity in others and facilitate their learn while being a role model for the learning and growth process. The foundation of all of our processes is rooted in collaboration and distributed leadership where all stakeholders feel empowered, taking ownership of the learning process and the
