Elementary Standards

  

The school has a mission statement, which describes what the school intends to achieve in its role as an educational institution and gives purpose and direction to all aspects of the educational process. The school has a set of academic and social expectations that generate high standards for student achievement and measure the success of the mission statement. 

 

1.       The school has a mission statement which flows from the educational community’s beliefs about education, states the purpose of the school and is reflective of the character of the school.

 

2.       The school has a set of measurable academic and social expectations that are used to evaluate the success of the mission statement.

 

3.       The school's staff and administration, with participation from parents, students, central office personnel and other constituencies of the school, establish, accept and support the mission statement and expectations.

 

4.       The mission statement and expectations are congruent with those of the district.

 

5.       The mission statement and expectations guide the school’s planning and decision-making about policies, procedures and programs in support of the academic and social development of all students.

 

6.       The staff and administration set a clearly defined cycle for the review and revision of the mission and expectations to adapt to the changing needs of students and present any revisions to the educational community.

 

 

The curriculum is the framework of knowledge and skills that articulates the school’s expectations for student learning. It aligns with district, state, and national standards. The curriculum links expectations for student learning to instructional and assessment practices. The strength and effectiveness of the curriculum are dependent upon the commitment of the school and district to a continuous process of implementation, review, evaluation, and revision of the curriculum.  

 

1.       The school's written curriculum is aligned with the school's stated expectations for students' academic and social and developmental needs.

 

2.       Each curriculum learning area clearly articulates learning standards which support the school’s stated expectations.

 

3.       The curriculum is intellectually challenging, developmentally appropriate and allows for the authentic application of knowledge and skills.

 

4.       Effective curriculum coordination and articulation takes place within the school as well as with all receiving and sending district schools.

 

5.       The curriculum incorporates classroom and school-wide technological and library/media resources.

 

6.       There is a systematic and ongoing process for curriculum development, review, evaluation and revision.

 

7.       The school provides professional development opportunities, time, fiscal resources and staffing to assist in the development, understanding and implementation of the written curriculum.

  Instruction

 

Instruction is the means by which the curriculum is implemented and the stated expectations for student learning are realized. Instruction accommodates individual needs and learning differences and engages students in a variety of ways. Effective instruction is dependent upon self-reflection, professional collaboration and the implementation of exemplary practices.

 

1.       Classroom instruction embodies the school's beliefs about teaching and learning, reflects current research on effective teaching strategies and is designed to enable all students to meet the school's expectations for academic achievement.

 

2.       Instruction addresses the individual needs of students, enables all students to have successful experiences and promotes independent life-long learning.

 

3.       Appropriate instructional materials and services are available for all programs including those for students identified with special needs and students whose abilities present unique needs.

 

4.       Teaching facilitates learning by including practices that are exploratory, individualized, self-directed, authentically based and integrated across the disciplines.

 

5.       Instruction promotes the development and application of higher order thinking skills and problem solving techniques.

 

6.       Instruction fosters appropriate behavioral standards, responsible citizenship and an appreciation of diversity.

 

7.       Technology supports instruction and assists student learning.

 

8.       The school provides professional development opportunities to improve instructional practices, resulting in increased student achievement.

 

9.       Supervision of instructional practices is focused on the improvement of student learning.

 

10.   The discussion of instructional practice is a significant part of the professional culture of the school.

 

11.   The school allocates sufficient instructional time, fiscal resources and staffing to support effective student learning.

 

Assessment measures the progress of students toward achieving the school’s stated expectations and standards. The analysis of assessment data guides the school in the review, evaluation, and revision of curriculum, and the modification and improvement of instructional practices. The school shares the results with its educational community.

 

1.       The school utilizes an assessment system that embodies the mission statement and expectations for academic and social achievement and measures its progress in meeting those expectations.

 

2.       An appropriate variety of classroom assessment strategies, reflective of current assessment research, is integrated with instructional practices.

 

3.       The faculty and administration discusses and utilizes student assessment results in the review, evaluation and revision of the curriculum and the improvement of instructional strategies.

 

4.       The identified learning standards for each curricular learning area are the basis for assessing each student's progress.

 

5.       Students are active learners who reflect upon and assess their own learning.

 

6.       The school uses a variety of reporting procedures to communicate the methods of student assessment and the results of individual student progress to parents.

 

7.       The school provides professional development opportunities that foster effective assessment practice and strategies.

 

8.       The school commits sufficient time, fiscal and material resources, technology, and staffing to support effective assessment procedures.

 

9.       The school systematically interprets and reports its level of achievement of academic and social expectations for academic achievement to the parents and community.

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Leadership is the collaborative responsibility of administration, faculty, and support staff to achieve the mission and expectations of the school. The manner in which a school organizes itself, makes decisions, and treats its members affects the atmosphere in which teaching and learning take place. The school climate fosters mutual respect, as well as opportunities for reflection and growth among students and staff, and welcomes the meaningful involvement of parents and community members.

 

1.       The principal provides leadership, facilitates the development and maintenance of a vision and establishes a focus on student learning and growth.

 

2.       The school’s administration, faculty and support staff are sufficient in number, appropriately qualified and share the collegial responsibility for implementing the mission and expectations of the school and effectively meeting the needs of the students.

 

3.       There is a program of professional development, both district-wide and building-based, which is collaboratively planned, supports the school’s mission and expectations and enables the faculty to strive to improve teaching and learning.

 

4.       The school has a planned orientation program for new administrators, faculty and support staff.

 

5.       The school climate is positive, respectful, safe and orderly and encourages pride, growth, renewal and constructive risk-taking among students and staff.

 

6.       There is evidence of mutual respect, common purpose and support among all members of the school community.

 

7.       The school regularly acknowledges, celebrates and displays the work, contributions and achievements of students and school personnel.

 

8.       The school establishes developmentally appropriate rules, expectations and consequences for student behavior and school attendance, which are clearly articulated to the entire school community.  

 

9.       The school encourages and supports a process of clear, consistent and meaningful communication within the building, within the district and throughout the community.

 

10.   The school encourages ongoing and effective home-school communication and provides avenues to address parents’ questions and concerns.

 

11.   The school welcomes parents and involves them in meaningful and effective activities to support the academic achievement and the emotional and social growth of their children.

 

12.   The school has a clearly defined process for the evaluation and supervision of faculty, staff and administration which is utilized for continual improvement of the quality of the school programs.

 

13.   The school has clearly defined crisis/emergency response plans, and all occupants of the building are familiar with these procedures. 

 

The school provides an effective range of integrated resources, programs, and services designed to enable all students to participate in and benefit from their educational experiences. Collectively, school resources, programs, and services support the individual academic, social, emotional, and physical needs of all students.

 

1.       Student support services are designed to enable each student to participate in and benefit from the educational programs within the school and to support the school's mission and expectations.

 

2.       Student support services personnel interact and work cooperatively with other school staff and community resources to address the academic, social, emotional and physical needs of students and to enhance student learning opportunities.

 

3.       The physical areas provided for student support services are appropriate to the particular service.

 

4.       Parents are kept informed about the range of available student support services and are involved in the coordination of services as they pertain to their children.

 

5.       Services are in place to ensure the health and well being of the students, and information pertinent to the learning process and/or essential for safety is communicated to the appropriate faculty and staff.

 

6.       The school maintains all student, administrative and personnel records in a confidential and secure manner consistent with federal, state and local law or regulation.

 

7.       The school’s library technology and media services program has an appropriate space to ensure the accessibility of its technology and materials by students and teachers and is staffed by qualified personnel who are trained and supervised by a certified library/media specialist.

 

8.       The school’s library technology and media services program has a wide range of print, non-print and electronic materials and equipment which is appropriate to an elementary school, supportive of the curriculum, accessible to students and teachers, and reflective of a global and multi-cultural society. Materials and equipment are adequately maintained, catalogued and updated.

 

9.       The school’s library technology and media program has clearly defined expectations which ensure that student needs for research and learning are met.

 

10.   The school’s faculty, staff and administration are familiar with the expectations the school’s library technology and media services program and are directly involved in the selection of materials, equipment and resources to complement and improve teaching and learning.

 

11.   The school has policies in place for the Internet and for the selection and removal of print and non-print multi-media materials.

 

 

The community supports the school by providing consistent and sufficient funding for programs, services, personnel, and facilities. It sustains a learning environment that ensures the safety and well-being of all students. Active community and parent involvement is essential for the achievement of the school’s mission and expectations. 

 

1.       The community, through its school board, provides educational leadership, sets and disseminates policy, and ensures an adequate and reliable revenue source.

 

2.       The community, through its school board, provides appropriate school programs, personnel, professional development programs, facilities, equipment, technological support, materials and supplies for student learning.

 

3.       The school and the school district have an ongoing planning process which addresses capital improvement needs as well as future program, technology, staffing and facility needs.

 

4.       The faculty and administration of the school are actively involved in the development of the school’s budget which is supportive of the school’s mission and expectations.

 

5.       Relationships with the community-at-large foster partnerships, develop and strengthen communication and encourage mutual cooperation and good citizenship.

 

6.       The school building and grounds provide a setting for an appropriate, positive and safe learning environment.

 

7.       There is a planned, on-going program of building and site maintenance to ensure the health and safety of the occupants and proper documentation is on file to indicate the school's compliance with local, state and federal law and regulations.

 

8.       If food services are provided, the area, menu and equipment ensure that the well being of students is a priority and is in compliance with state and federal regulations.

 

9.       If transportation is provided, appropriate procedures are in place to ensure the safety of the students.