Curriculum and Instruction Report

1
Curriculum and Instruction Report

• Pocantico Hills School
• February 28, 2005

2
Introduction

• Examine state of the schools curriculum and
  instruction
• Provide recommendations on how to improve
  teaching and learning at PHS
• Prepare a short and long term curriculum and
  instruction plan

3
Mission

• To emphasize the English/Language Arts (ELA)
  Learning Standards (reading, writing, listening,
  speaking) in all grade levels and all subject
  areas linking our newly adopted writing and
  reading programs and resulting in a comprehensive
  standards-based ELA curriculum Pre-K 8.
• To organize staff to capitalize on their
  expertise and training and to enhance student
  learning in a standards based environment.
• To provide multiple opportunities for all
  students to demonstrate academic achievement in
  the least restrictive educational environment.

4
Current State

• District-wide curriculum reviews are not
  standards based, are not current for all subjects
  and are not cyclical
• Professional development has not had a
  district-wide focus
• There has been no district-wide direction in the
  use of professional development monies by
  individual teachers
• There is no long term plan for curriculum review
  and related professional development
• All students are not receiving daily instruction
  in the optimal and/or least restrictive
  educational setting
• There is extremely limited technology to promote
  teaching and learning

5
Current Professional Development Status

6
Progress to Date

• District-wide curriculum reviews are not
  standards based, are not current for all subjects
  and are not cyclical
• Identified curriculum guide posts for
  English/Language Arts (Pre-k 8) aligned with
  New York State learning standards
• Established exit outcomes for special area
  classes aligned with New York State learning
  standards
• Professional development has not had a
  district-wide focus
• Conducted district-wide professional development
  on lesson and unit design (Dimensions of Learning
  model) and English/Language Arts
• Emphasized literacy and inclusive education as
  training priorities
• Conducted monthly professional development
  through faculty meetings
• Created a strength based Child Study Team
  referral form
• There is no long term plan for curriculum review
  and related professional development
• Established a long term relationship with an
  English/Language Arts consultant
• Enhanced partnerships with Briarcliff,
  Pleasantville and Sleepy Hollow High Schools to
  compare and align content and teaching methods

7
PHS Curriculum Instruction Strategies

• Ensure annual district-wide professional
  development aligns with strategic framework goals
• Develop curriculum review cycles so that no major
  curriculum is ever more than four years old
• Provide ongoing building based professional
  development through the strategic use of faculty
  meetings
• Develop professional partnerships with expert
  consultants in areas of standards based content,
  assessment and teaching methods
• Align out of district professional development
  with annual district goals and priorities
• Link professional development in technology and
  new technologies to annual district curriculum
  and instruction priorities
• Align our work in curriculum and instruction to
  New York State learning standards
• Ensure adoption of new curriculum and teaching
  methods through the districts teacher
  accountability process

8
Curriculum InstructionRecommendations for
2005-2006

• Develop a curriculum review cycle of 4-5 years
  for major content (subject) areas
• Create standards and leadership teams to review
  curriculum, teaching methods and resources
• Increase investment in district-wide professional
  development for major content (subject) areas
• Improve the delivery of instruction through
  enhanced technology
• Increase computer access for students and staff
• Appoint a technology specialist who can link
  technology to standards based instruction and
  professional development

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Conclusion

• We have begun our efforts to enhance learning at
  Pocantico Hills by addressing the fundamentals of
  every lesson. Our work to date has included
  lesson design, the determination of guide posts
  in our English/Language Arts curriculum and an
  emphasis on optimal learning conditions for all
  students. These efforts represent a district-
  wide focus clearly aligned with our planning
  process. Our long range plans include a periodic
  review of our curricula, a comprehensive approach
  to professional development and institutional
  support for the necessary resources. Our short
  term goals include a review of the math
  curriculum, a continued emphasis on
  differentiating learning opportunities and the
  integration of technology into our daily
  practice. Our commitment to these efforts will
  be reflected in the proposed 2005-2006 school
  budget