CURRICULUM TALKS
DEPARTMENT OF INSTRUCTION
BENCHMARK ASSESSMENTS
WRITING AND THE BASIC INGREDIENTS FOR SUCCESS/INCREASED PERFORMANCE
The following is a summary of the video embedded below. In it, Arizona State University Professor, Steven Graham, gives research evidence to support the teaching of writing. The data is based on standardized test results. A 12 %tile increase means a student who scores at the 50th %tile, would score 12 %tile points higher if they were provided quality instruction around the ideas presented.
- Increase how MUCH students are writing - 12-16 %tile jump in performance - If we add 45 minutes per week of writing. There is a corresponding jump in reading comprehension performance of 10 %tile jump.
- Write for a REAL audience - do not write for the teacher. 16 %tile jump
- Teach writing strategies for types of writing - example is teaching students how to brainstorm. 35 %tile jump
- Teach Transcription Skills - explicitly teach handwriting and spelling. 21%tile jump
- Teach Sentence Construction Skills - help students write more complex sentences.19 %tile jump
- Teach Writing Knowledge - Teach different types of text and their structure. 21 %tilejump
- Support Peers Working Together to Compose - Collaborative writing. 31%tile jump
- Support Clear Writing Goals - student set goals based on their written product. 28 %tile jump
- Support Assessment - students self assess. 18 %tile jump
- Feedback from teacher - how to improve. 29 %tile jump
GROWTH MINDSET
The questions we ask are: "
- Do all teachers believe ALL students can learn at high levels?"
- "Do all students believe they can learn at high levels?"
We have looked at the difference between a fixed mindset and a growth mindset to discover our individual beliefs about student learning and to help students become the best learners possible.
The takeaway from having a fixed mindset is: If a student or a teacher says a "student isn't able to learn a piece of content" or a student say's "I can't do this" . A fixed mindset would believe the student doesn't have the capacity or capability of learning the content. On the other hand, a person with a growth mindset would simply say "yet". "The student just hasn't learned it yet" "You just haven't learned it 'yet'".
Watch the video below to understand growth mindset.
A LITTLE LAUGH
CURRICULUM UPDATES
SCIENCE
January 2016: Board Initiates the Science Review Process
At its January 28, 2016 Virginia Board of Education meeting, the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) was authorized to proceed with the Science Standards of Learning review process. This timeline may be used to note the major dates associated with the review of the Science Standards of Learning and Curriculum Framework.
March-April 2016: Public Comment Period
An important part of the Science Standards of Learning and Curriculum Framework review process is the solicitation of comments from teachers of science and other science educators, curriculum supervisors, school administrators, education organizations, scientists, workforce representatives, parents, and other members of the public.
Superintendent’s Memo 052-16 announces the revision process and provides key information related to soliciting public comment. Input regarding the science standards will be received through the VDOE’s Web-based Science SOL revision mailbox at Science@doe.virginia.gov from March 11, 2016, to April 18, 2016.
March-April 2016: Application for the Science Standards Review Committee
Superintendent’s Memo 052-16 also announces the application process for qualified teachers of science and school division science educators who are interested in serving on the state standards review committee. Applications are due to the VDOE by April 18, 2016, as per the directions in the Superintendent’s Memorandum.
Summer 2016 – Winter 2017: The Science Standards of Learning and Curriculum Framework Review Team Meetings
The Science Standards of Learning review team meets to:
- analyze statewide Web page input;
- review national and international documents and reports as necessary; and
- make recommendations for potential changes.
The department and review team members meet both remotely and as groups to review the Science Standards of Learning and Curriculum Framework.
September 2017: Proposed Revised Draft
VDOE presents a draft of the proposed 2018 Science Standards of Learning and proposed 2018 Science Standards of Learning Curriculum Framework to the Board of Education for first review.
October-November 2017: Public Comment Period and Public Hearings
Prior to finalizing proposed revisions to the Science Standards of Learning, the VDOE solicits comments from teachers of science and other science educators, curriculum supervisors, school administrators, education organizations, scientists, workforce representatives, parents, and other members of the public.
A Superintendent’s Memorandum announces the process for submitting public comment on the proposed science standards and the schedule for four (4) public hearings. The public comment period will be active from September 29 through October 30. The four public hearings will be held in the October at locations around the state.
January 2018: Final (Anticipated) Review
The Superintendent of Public Instruction presents the proposed revised Science Standards of Learning and proposed revised Science Standards of Learning Curriculum Framework to the Board of Education for its consideration for final review and adoption.
If approved, a preliminary copy of 2018 Science Standards of Learning is posted on the VDOE website.**************************************************************************
MATHEMATICS
March 2015 – Board Initiates the Review Process
At the March 2015, Virginia Board of Education meeting, VDOE was authorized to proceed with the Mathematics Standards of Learning (SOL) and Curriculum Framework review process. It is anticipated that the standards and curriculum framework revision will be completed before October 2016. Projected Timeline for the Review of the Mathematics Standards of Learning (SOL) and Curriculum Framework (PDF)
March - April 2015 – Public Comment Period
An important part of the SOL review process is the solicitation of comments from teachers, administrators, curriculum supervisors, mathematics educators, mathematics education organizations, and other members of the public.
Public comments regarding revisions to the Mathematics Standards of Learning and Curriculum Framework were received from March 27 - April 27, 2015 for review committee consideration.
March - April 2015 – Application for Mathematics Review Committee
Applications were accepted from qualified individuals who are interested in serving on a committee to review both the Mathematics Standards of Learning and Mathematics Standards of Learning Curriculum Framework during June 2015. For more information, see Superintendent's Memo 071-15 – Review of the Mathematics Standards of Learning and Mathematics Standards of Learning Curriculum Framework.
June 2015 – Mathematics Review Committee
The review committee met to analyze statewide public comment, review national and international documents and reports as necessary, and make recommendations for potential revisions to the Mathematics Standards of Learning and Curriculum Framework.
November 2015 – Mathematics External Review
VDOE shared a draft of the proposed 2016 Mathematics Standards of Learning and 2016 Mathematics Standards of Learning Curriculum Framework with mathematicians and mathematics educators in institutions of higher education across Virginia, professional organizations that focus on mathematics education and representatives of the business community for review and comment.
March 2016 – Proposed 2016 Mathematics Standards of Learning and Proposed 2016 Mathematics Standards of Learning Curriculum Framework
VDOE presented a draft of the Proposed 2016 Mathematics Standards of Learning (PDF) and Proposed 2016 Mathematics Standards of Learning Curriculum Framework(PDF) to the Board of Education for first review.
March – April 2016 – Public Comment Period
Prior to finalizing revisions to the 2016 Mathematics Standards of Learning and 2016 Mathematics Standards of Learning Curriculum Framework, it is important to solicit comments from teachers, administrators, curriculum supervisors, mathematics educators, mathematics education organizations, parents, and other members of the public.Superintendent’s Memo 057-16 announced the schedule for public hearings and process for submitting public comment on the proposed 2016 Mathematics Standards of Learning and 2016 Mathematics Standards of Learning Curriculum Framework. The public comment period will be active until April 25, 2016. Comments may be submitted via email to mathematics@doe.virginia.gov.
During the public comment period, the Board of Education will host two public hearings on the Proposed 2016 Mathematics Standards of Learning and the Proposed 2016 Mathematics Standards of Learning Curriculum Framework at the following times/locations:
- April 14, 2016 – 6:30 p.m.
Auburn High School, Montgomery County Public Schools
1650 Auburn School Drive
Riner, Virginia 24149
- April 19, 2016 – 6:30 p.m.
Glen Allen High School, Henrico County Public Schools
10700 Staples Mill Road
Glen Allen, Virginia 23060
September 2016 – Final Review and Adoption
The Superintendent of Public Instruction presents the proposed 2016 Mathematics Standards of Learning and 2016 Mathematics Standards of Learning Curriculum Framework to the Board of Education for final review and adoption.
Final documents are posted on the VDOE website.
2016-2017 School Year – Crosswalk between 2009 Mathematics Standards of Learning and 2016 Mathematics Standards of Learning
VDOE staff provides a crosswalk between the 2009 Mathematics Standards of Learning and the 2016 Mathematics Standards of Learning. School divisions incorporate the new standards into local written curricula for inclusion in the taught curricula during the 2017-2018 school year.
2017-2018 School Year – Crosswalk Year
2009 Mathematics Standards of Learning and 2016 Mathematics Standards of Learning are included in the written and taught curricula.
Spring 2018 Standards of Learning assessments measure the 2009 Mathematics Standards of Learning and include field test items measuring the 2016 Mathematics Standards of Learning.2018-2019 School Year – Full-Implementation Year
Written and taught curricula reflect the 2016 Mathematics Standards of Learning.
Standards of Learning assessments measure the 2016 Mathematics Standards of Learning.**************************************************************************
ENGLISH
January 2016: Board Initiates the English Review Process
At its January 28, 2016 Virginia Board of Education meeting, the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) was authorized to proceed with the English Standards of Learning review process. A projected timeline for the review and revision process (PDF) for the English Standards of Learning and the accompanying English Standards of Learning Curriculum Framework provides additional detail.
February-March 2016: Public Comment Period
An important part of the English Standards of Learning review process is the solicitation of comments from teachers of English and other English educators, curriculum supervisors, school administrators, education organizations, scientists, workforce representatives, parents, and other members of the public.
Superintendent’s Memo 017-16 announces the revision process and provides key information related to soliciting public comment. Input regarding the English standards will be received through the VDOE’s Web-based English SOL revision mailboxes at EnglishSOL_2016Elementary@doe.virginia.gov andEnglishSOL_2016Secondary@doe.virginia.gov from February 1, 2016, to March 1, 2016.
February-March 2016: Application for the English Standards Review Committee
Superintendent’s Memo 017-16 also announces the application process for qualified teachers of English and school division English educators who are interested in serving on the state standards review committee. Applications are due to the VDOE by March 8, 2016, as per the directions in the Superintendent’s Memorandum.
October 2016: First Review of Proposed Revised English Standards of Learning
VDOE presents a draft of the proposed revised English Standards of Learning to the Board of Education for first review.
October-November 2016: Public Comment Period and Public Hearings
Prior to finalizing proposed revisions to the English Standards of Learning, the VDOE solicits comments from English Language Arts teachers, curriculum supervisors, school administrators, education organizations, workforce representatives, parents, and other members of the public.
A Superintendent’s Memorandum announces the process for submitting public comment on the proposed English standards and the schedule for four (4) public hearings. The public comment period will be active from October 28 through November 28. The four public hearings will be held in the November-December window at locations around the state.January 2017: Final (Anticipated) Review
The Superintendent of Public Instruction presents the proposed revised English Standards of Learning to the Board of Education for its consideration for final review and adoption.
If approved, a preliminary copy of 2017 English Standards of Learning is posted on the VDOE Web site.February 2017: Crosswalk between 2010 English Standards of Learning and 2017 English Standards of Learning
A Superintendent’s Memorandum provides links to: (a) the approved 2017 English Standards of Learning; and (b) a crosswalk between the 2010 and the 2017 English Standards of Learning documents.
February-July 2017: Alignment of the English Standards of Learning Curriculum Framework with the 2017 English Standards of Learning
The Department of Education identifies a review team to assist with the alignment of the curriculum framework with the 2017 English Standards of Learning. The process involves formal Board of Education reviews and systematic public comment. The process is anticipated to be completed by July 2017.