Brookwood 167

curriculum & instruction

Kathleen Hatczel

Director of Curriculum
khatczel@brookwood167.org
(708) 758-5190 x5104

Curriculum, Instruction & Assessment

Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment are the foundations for teaching and learning in District 167. District 167 curriculum continues to evolve as we increase the rigor and depth of learning for our students. The Common Core State Standards (CCSS) are designed to take students to new levels of learning to ensure their success in the 21st Century and beyond. The CCSS depict what students need to know and be able to do at each grade level in various subject or content areas. Brookwood School District continues to explore our Language Arts and Math Curriculum to ensure alignment with the New Common Core State Standards.
The Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) are the newest development with National Common Core State Standards. As we are faced with new challenges, we will continue to evolve in order to prepare all students for College and Careers by bringing real-world 21st Century ideas into the classroom.
As we make data driven decisions about student learning, we need the most efficient methods and reliable data for obtaining critical information to drive teaching and learning in the classroom. We are currently implementing a new assessment plan to help students understand content and obtain the CCSS skills necessary for success. It is important to know the progress of every child throughout the school year and intervene as necessary. The plan is to assess only to meet the needs of individual students. We benchmark all students three (3) times during the school year, and progress monitor the students who need more support to close their learning gaps. Progress monitoring (periodic assessments) is based on the individual needs of the students.
All staff members are provided on-going Professional Development (PD) opportunities to improve curriculum, instruction and assessment. District Curriculum Committees continue to meet to discuss the needs of teachers in District 167, and to provide consistent and on-going professional development to ensure vertical and horizontal alignment. By vertically aligning curriculum there is a clear connection or scope and sequence from one grade to the next. Horizontal alignment creates connections amongst grade-level classrooms. It is important for grade-level curriculum to be integrated and be consistent district-wide; from grade-level to grade-level and from school to school. Teachers will continue to have flexibility to tailor lessons to student interest and tailor learning to the needs of the students.

next generation science standards (NGSS)

The Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) are K–12 science content standards. Standards set the expectations for what students should know and be able to do. The NGSS were developed by states to improve science education for all students.

common core state standards (CCSS)

The Common Core is a set of high-quality academic standards in mathematics and English language arts/literacy (ELA). These learning goals outline what a student should know and be able to do at the end of each grade. The standards were created to ensure that all students graduate from high school with the skills and knowledge necessary to succeed in college, career, and life, regardless of where they live. Forty-one states, the District of Columbia, four territories, and the Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) have voluntarily adopted and are moving forward with the Common Core.