Curriculum, Instruction & Assessment
The Rochester School Department will...
Ensure rigorous and relevant curricula are in place in all content areas to engage all students. Curricula and instruction will be supported through a professional development structure designed to strengthen curricula and promote highly effective instructional strategies.
Ensure that each classroom in the district has a management plan to provide common expectations and consistency for students within each learning environment.
Develop and implement service and leadership opportunities for students in grades K – 12.
Assessment & Grading Philosophy Statement Purpose:
In the Rochester School District, assessment and grading have many purposes: providing feedback to students, parents, and teachers, documenting student progress, and guiding instructional decisions. In a competency-based system, instruction and assessment are driven by course-defined competency statements and performance indicators.
Competency-Based Education:
The Rochester School District has adopted a Competency-Based Learning Model for students in grades K—12. This means that student learning is driven by clear learning targets (competencies) that students are expected to master by the end of each grade-level/course. At regular intervals parents will receive feedback on where their child is on his/her journey to meet each competency.
In addition, parents will receive regular feedback on their child’s Work Skills Competencies. Work skills, such as self-direction, communication, collaboration, and creativity are not only necessary for a successful educational experience but are essential lifelong skills. This is why the Rochester School District has prioritized a focus on developing these skills in our students. Progress on Work Skills Competencies will be regularly communicated to students and parents, but will not be included as part of the evaluation of a student’s academic achievement.
