Sept. 2024 Summaries for the Teaching & Learning Committee Meetings

Curriculum Review Cycle K-12 Math Committee Summary

The CRC K-12 Math Committee Meeting on September 23, 2024 focused on the district’s process of potentially selecting a new math program. The decision will be collaborative, considering state standards, current programs, and teacher feedback. The committee is organized with process leaders, curriculum specialists, and district committee members, led by teachers. The process involves three phases: needs assessment, curriculum selection, and implementation. The district aims to extend the secondary curriculum current contract with Big Ideas to ensure thorough evaluation prior to making a decision. A $500 stipend is offered to committee members, paid in two installments based on attendance. The meeting emphasized the importance of teacher input via a recurring feedback loop with each school building/department and the need for a comprehensive, district-wide approach.

Curriculum Review Cycle Grades 6-12 Literacy Committee Summary

The Grades 6-12 English Language Arts (ELA) Curriculum Review Committee meeting was held on Monday, September 23. The following was discussed:

• Roles and responsibilities of committee members
• This year’s goal
• Phase 3- StudySync has been adopted
• Assess implementation needs (what support do teachers need)
• How might the implementation needs be met
• How information will be shared with all PLCs and English Departments
• Next Steps
• Review the StudySync Continuum of Practice as PLCs and Departments

Curriculum Review Cycle K-12 Fine Arts Committee Summary

The Fine Arts Curriculum Review Cycle committee convened on September 23, 2024, to discuss Phase 2 in alignment with district Policy 4020. This policy outlines the procedures for curriculum review, and during Phase 2, the committee transitions into an Instructional Materials Review team.

Key discussion points included:

• Committee members represent elementary and secondary fine arts teachers across the district.
• Fine arts curricular explorations and recommendations for PCSD come from the Fine Arts CRC Committee.
• The goal of Phase 2 is to address the needs identified in Phase 1.
• Clarification of the components, purposes, and interrelationships of Phase 2.

Next Steps:

• Committee members connect with fine arts teachers at your school or within the same discipline to begin identifying which standards they are focusing their time and efforts on.
• Determine the specific skills and topics teachers emphasize for each class or grade level.
• Considerations when determining priority standards, skills, and topics:
• Endurance: Skills that students will retain over time.
• Leverage: Skills that are applicable across other subjects.
• Readiness: Mastery of skills necessary for advancing to the next level.

The committee looks forward to the important work of Phase 2 in the curriculum review process.