 for student learning. The written curriculum is the framework within which a school aligns and personalizes the school's 21 st century learning expectations. The curriculum includes a purposefully designed set of course offerings, co-curricular programs, and other learning opportunities. The curriculum reflects the school s core values, beliefs, and learning expectations. The curriculum is collaboratively developed, implemented, reviewed, and revised based on analysis of student performance and current research. 1. The curriculum is purposefully designed to ensure that all students practice and achieve each of the school's 21 st century learning expectations. 2. The curriculum is written in a common format that includes: units of study with essential questions, concepts, content, and skills the school s 21 st century learning expectations instructional strategies assessment practices that include the use of school-wide analytic and course-specific rubrics. 3. The curriculum emphasizes depth of understanding and application of knowledge through: inquiry and problem-solving higher order thinking cross-disciplinary learning authentic learning opportunities both in and out of school informed and ethical use of technology. 4. There is clear alignment between the written and taught curriculum. 5. Effective curricular coordination and vertical articulation exist between and among all academic areas within the school as well as with sending schools in the district. 6. Staffing levels, instructional materials, technology, equipment, supplies, facilities, and the resources of the library/media center are sufficient to fully implement the curriculum, including the co-curricular programs and other learning opportunities. 7. The district provides the school s professional staff with sufficient personnel, time, and financial resources for ongoing and collaborative development, evaluation, and revision of the curriculum using assessment results and current research.
5 Teaching and Learning Standard 3 Instruction The quality of instruction is the single most important factor in students achievement of the school s 21 st century learning expectations. Instruction is responsive to student needs, deliberate in its design and delivery, and grounded in the school s core values, beliefs, and learning expectations. Instruction is supported by research in best practices. Teachers are reflective and collaborative about their instructional strategies and collaborative with their colleagues to improve student learning. 1. Teachers instructional practices are continuously examined to ensure consistency with the school s core values, beliefs, and 21 st century learning expectations. 2. Teachers instructional practices support the achievement of the school s 21 st century learning expectations by: personalizing instruction engaging students in cross-disciplinary learning engaging students as active and self-directed learners emphasizing inquiry, problem-solving, and higher order thinking applying knowledge and skills to authentic tasks engaging students in self-assessment and reflection integrating technology. 3. Teachers adjust their instructional practices to meet the needs of each student by: using formative assessment, especially during instructional time strategically differentiating purposefully organizing group learning activities providing additional support and alternative strategies within the regular classroom. 4. Teachers, individually and collaboratively, improve their instructional practices by: using student achievement data from a variety of formative and summative assessments examining student work using feedback from a variety of sources, including students, other teachers, supervisors, and parents examining current research engaging in professional discourse focused on instructional practice. 5. Teachers, as adult learners and reflective practitioners, maintain expertise in their content area and in content-specific instructional practices.
6 Teaching and Learning Standard 4 Assessment of and for Student Learning Assessment inform