Overview - Curriculum and Instruction

Curriculum:

The ISD Curricula consists of standards, benchmarks and indicators in each core subject areas for grades Pre-K – 12. Using the draft standards and benchmarks as a starting point, detailed curricula is written following our 5-Year Curriculum Review Cycle.

In 2003-2004, the ISD faculty wrote their first standards-based curriculum in language arts. The faculty will continue with mathematics in 2004-2005. Each completed curriculum will consist of standards, benchmarks, and indicators (see explanation that follows).

Standards

Standards are broad statements applicable to grades PS-12. They describe what students should know and be able to do by the time they graduate from high school.

Benchmarks

Benchmarks are statements for grade level expectations for student achievement using age-appropriate materials. Benchmarks are organized under standards and mark progress toward achievement of those standards.

Indicators

Indicators are specific learning behaviors that can be taught and that demonstrate student performance in the achievement of a benchmark.

Instruction:

When faculty members write curriculum in a core subject area, they begin by studying the research on “best practices” instruction. From their research they determine what programs and teaching methods will best fit the needs of ISD’s students. There are three instructional processes that have recently been adopted for use at ISD based upon this research: Six Trait Writing Assessment, Four Blocks Language Arts Model and Understanding by Design.