There are some new things coming down the pipeline in the way of curriculum and instruction for Oxford Schools, according to Chief Academic Officer Ken Weaver.
The biggest change at the elementary level, Weaver said, would be the new math curriculum they’re rolling out this year.
‘We used to have ‘Everyday Math? EDM K-5. We’re going away from that program and we’re implementing a new program called ‘Math Expressions,?? he added. ‘We hadn’t really done a full (review) of math for almost 10 years. The last time we looked at math, they basically took the old EDM and put some stickers on it and called it Common Core.?
Weaver said the new program is ‘closely tied? with the Common Core or Michigan Math Standards. He described the new math as a little more ‘standards based.?
‘That’s probably the biggest change that parents (at the elementary level) will see this year,? he said
Weaver noted the new math will also align with their new report card grading system that they implemented last year, which also has gone through some modifications.
‘Parents, when they see the report cards, especially in the sections of reading, writing and math, they’re going to be getting a lot more information than they did last year,? he said. ‘They’ll actually be seeing standards broken out in the child’s scores, whether or not they were proficient (and that) broken out in individual skills.?
Down the road they’ll be looking to change the report card for both science and social studies sections as well.
‘There are a lot of standards in science and social studies. Plus science is looking at changing to the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). Those are coming out. We think they’ll be adopted by the Michigan State Board sometime this year,? he said. ‘That one will take three to five years to totally implement, but a lot of places are already gearing up for that event and anticipate the change happening.?
Another big component at the elementary level is the IB (International Baccalaureate) PYP (Primary Years Program).
‘That’s a constant renewal cycle, a constant improvement cycle that we’re always on,? Weaver explained. ‘We’re always going to be moving forward with PYP at the elementary level, striving always to improve the units and teaching practices.?
As far as some new programs, Weaver said they’ll be looking at piloting some new reading programs this year. However, he said it will be in ‘small doses and not every parent will see that.?
Secondary level changes
One of the big changes that parents will see this year at the middle school is their students for the first time will receive grades for the IB MYP (Middle Years Program).
‘That is a major focus we’ve been working on, trying to set up power-school so that it can help the teachers report MYP grades. That was a major task, trying out how best to do that,? Weaver said. ‘We’re excited to be working on that all year as we’re rolling that out.?
The other big initiative for the secondary level is what’s called ‘common assessments,? where two or three teachers teaching the same grade level subject compare how students from each class did on assessment tests such as the SAT or M-STEP. Weaver said it’s a way to see where one class might do better on a particular part and be able to trade teaching practices that are really helping those students.
‘It’s really the best teacher development I think teachers will get is talking to another professional, who is teaching the same material and generally teaching the same kids,? he added. (To be able to ask questions) how did you teach it? How did you approach it? Then you’re able to share practices and make each other better.?
Like both the PYP and MYP, Weaver said they’re filling out the high school’s IB Diploma Program (DP) a little more as well.
‘We’re adding a global issues class that we’re excited to be adding (to the DP),? he added. ‘That will open up for more kids to get into the program.?
As far as overall K-12 initiatives, Weaver noted they have a new assessment program called ‘Illuminate? that will both help with the ‘common assessments? and assessment data overall, not just state data.
‘It will collect our assessment data and we’ll be able to see . . . (a) better, clearer picture of each student. Not only as how they do in their class, but when they first arrive in class how a student did a better. So when they walk in they have a better idea of what the student is like, where the weaknesses are, where the strengths are and then same thing as the year goes on and hopefully be able to address those issues before the gaps become bigger.?
Weaver pointed out that those gaps usually start out small in K-5 but as the ‘curriculum increases exponentially? and the students don’t keep pace the gaps get ‘a lot bigger and become a lot more noticeable.?
‘Hopefully, with the program, we’ll be able to notice issues with students sooner and hopefully round out the student’s education and make sure we’re filling in those holes that may develop over time,? he said. ‘It also gives us an idea of where we’re at instructionally. And how well are we doing as a district delivering (assessments).
This year, Weaver said Oxford is also going to be having an external review from AdvancED, which is the school’s accreditation agency.
‘They’re the group that says ‘yeah we’re a school system and that we’re good to give out a diploma,?? he said, noting that they come in and evaluate about every five years.
‘They have a review cycle where they come in and look at your practices and make sure you (have) a school improvement process and you’re trying to make yourself better and just trying to give an overall accounting of where you’re at.?
With their review, Weaver said they offer suggestions of areas of where you can do better, which he thinks is ‘very helpful.?
‘It’s really helpful to get that external picture from other educators as to what you’re doing well and what you’re not doing well,? he added.
As always, Weaver noted that there is an emphasis on improving test scores, which he said is going to take some (adjustment) due to the new SAT and M-Step tests that replaced the former ACT and MEAP tests.
That’s probably our biggest area that I think we’re going to be working on for the next three to five years; looking at how we can get those high school ACT/SAT scores up,? Weaver said. ‘We’ve been working with (Principal Todd) Dunckley at the high school. His biggest emphasis is getting those common assessments in place to see where we’re at. Then we can adjust instruction and we can help students.?
They are also continuing to put in place interventions for reading and math at all levels. Weaver said that’s there has been a push by Superintendent Tim Throne to develop not only interventions, but to really be able to target them.
‘We’re not on the upper end of the state as far as funding,? Weaver said. ‘So we want to make sure we’re matching up the student with the intervention as well as we can, so we’re using our resources as wisely as possible.?
As for the upcoming school year, excitement is in the air, according to Weaver.
‘This year I think is going to be a busy year, a fun year with a lot of improvements as we continue to move forward,? he said. ‘We’re really excited and I think the staff and teachers are as well.?