WVUSD: 2014-2015 Year-End Results __________________________________________________________________________________________________
Units of study have been updated through collaborative teacher meetings to match the implementation of the standards, and K-5 ELA and Math benchmark assessments have been adjusted by a benchmark committee comprised of teachers representing each school. Middle school math benchmarks continue to be refined and adjusted for better alignment with the standards and the new textbook adoption.
Three math textbook programs were piloted by K-8 classroom teachers from each school. The process included the use of the three textbooks, regular meetings of the committee for updates by piloting teachers, and an end process for determining which components were met or not met by each textbook program. Expressions was chosen by K-5 teachers, and Big Ideas was chosen by 6-8 teachers. Both books are published / distributed by Houghton Mifflin. The middle school to high school math course sequence has been designed to allow smooth transitions from course to course, and to differentiate for students based on their math skill levels.
The instructional shifts associated with the new math and ELA standards have been a focus, including the purchase and use of instructional technology, close reading( including close reading of complex media), annotation strategies, evidence-based writing, increased student reading of informational text, and increased cross-curricular activities.
WVUSD has also implemented the California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress( CAASPP) during 2014-2015. The piloting and field tests that have been performed during the last two years have allowed this first official WVUSD test administration to be extremely successful.
Other 21 st Century skills have been embedded in the curriculum and in programs such as Project Lead the Way( Evergreen Elementary School sent teachers for intensive training and the school implemented the program in fall of 2014), robotics programs, and other Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math( STEAM) approaches implemented by school teams.
The Dual Language Immersion( DLI)- Mandarin program at Walnut Elementary School expanded to 3 rd grade in 2014-2015, and preparations, including an additional teaching position, have been made for its continued growth to 4 th grade in the fall of 2015. Preparation has started for the continuation of the DLI program at the middle school level.
The implementation of the California Common Core Standards( CCSS) has offered an excellent opportunity for parents to visit classroom to observe CCSS-based instruction in action. Parents have observed classroom learning using student engagement rubrics, and they have spent time outside the classrooms discussing curriculum and instructional approaches. Parents expressed their approval of the types of learning approaches occurring. Several parents have expressed that they were opposed to the new standards before the classroom visits and, after having viewed the learning that was occurring, the parents have expressed solid support for the new standards.
Teachers have asked for more time dedicated to collaboration to be included in the workday. Collaboration and articulation activities have been funded by individual sites
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