2009-2010 Self-Study WASC Action Plan - Julian Charter School

Findings
B. CURRICULUM
B1. To what extent do all students participate in a
rigorous, relevant, and coherent standards-based
curriculum that supports the achievement of the
academic standards and the expected schoolwide
learning results? [Through standards-based learning
(i.e., what is taught and how it is taught), the expected
schoolwide learning results are accomplished.]
SUMMARY
• JCS has made a concerted effort to revise all courses of study
in order to make them standards-aligned, rigorous, engaging,
and accessible for all students. Next steps include a more
robust implementation of 21st century skills along with
interdisciplinary themes and literacies (portion of ESLRs).
• Articulating the standards for ourselves and for our parentteachers
and students (“Friendly Standards” in K-8 and
deconstructing the standards in 9-12) allows us to clearly
define our expectations, to set common goals across courses
and departments, and to create a common basis for assessment
and evaluation of student learning and achievement.
RIGOROUS, RESEARCH- BASED ACADEMIC CURRICULUM
• Staff utilizes content area standards and expected
schoolwide learning results (ESLRs) as a framework for
curriculum, projects and other learning outcomes.
• Curricula materials in core subjects (by grade/course)
provide guidance on how to “unpack the standards”
and teach for understanding. Next steps include a
purposeful focus on 21st century skills (ICT Maps).
• Staff is involved in monthly professional learning communities
and bi-monthly forums as well as department
and curriculum meetings to choose curriculum, work
on curricular development, evaluation, and revisions.
• Processes and decisions are regularly reviewed
and/or redesigned to promote deep academic content
knowledge and 21st century skills mastery.
• Assistant directors and/or department chairs and
curriculum leads assist teams in reviewing rigor,
relevancy (power standards), and alignment.
• Safety Net/special education providers use
targeted, research-based curriculum.
Evidence
• Academic standards/CA
Frameworks/ESLRs
• K-8 “Friendly Standards,”
deconstructing standards
work, and curriculum maps
• Standards-based IEP goals
• ICT Literacy Maps
• PLC, forum, site, department
and curriculum team
meeting notes
• STAR exemplars
• Subject area blueprints
• Pre/post examples of
curricular development
• Curriculum adoption cycle
• Curriculum Order Forms
and JCS “Favorites”
• Staff interviews
• SPED population, 9.4%
Chapter 4: Self-Study Findings: Curriculum
Julian Charter School Focus on Learning 2009-2010 59