ELEMENTARY CLASSROOM - Curriculum and Academic Goals
Theme: Curriculum and Academic Goals
System level: Classroom
Practice: Align teaching practices with state standards, keeping the focus on student achievement.
What does this practice look like in Arkansas?
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Teachers use state standards as the starting blocks for daily lessons. Teachers begin planning lessons by examining the state standards. Lessons are then developed to cover the appropriate content for the standard.
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The classroom focus is on student mastery of content. While teachers are aware of the amount of content that must be covered during the course of a school year, the main focus of the classroom is on student mastery of the material. Teachers adapt units and lessons to ensure that each student achieves mastery.
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Curriculum decisions are made by identifying weaknesses from test scores. Examination of test scores determines curriculum decisions. Areas identified as weaknesses become the focus of the curriculum. Goals are set for those areas and progress is closely monitored.
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Teachers are given the flexibility to adapt the curriculum as long as they continue to meet the state standards that mandate the amount of time to be spent in each content area. Teachers have flexibility in their planning to adapt to the needs of their students. Teachers are required to provide evidence that they are meeting the requirement of the amount of time spent on each content area. The expectation is clearly established that teachers will make the best curriculur decisions for their students.
Documents related to practice:
Teachers at Rena Elementary are required to turn in lesson plans to the principal on a regular basis. While teachers are allowed to determine which lesson plan format they will use, all lesson plans must clearly identify the objectives of the lesson and the related state standards. Teachers have access to the state standards for their grade level through the Arkansas Department of Education website
Examples: