Curriculum Standards

Course Selection

Learn about course selection at the junior high and high school by reading Understanding Course Selection at R.J Grey JHS and ABRHS.

Frameworks

The new Massachusetts English Language (ELA) Arts & Literacy and Mathematics Frameworks are now available online. This site, known as the "CANDI site" (Curriculum AND Instruction) is a resource created by the MA Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to support the transition to the new Frameworks. Important links include the "transition plan" and the "crosswalks" (side-by-side comparison of the old and new Frameworks). This past school year, 2011-2012, the districts began unpacking the standards and determining the materials and professional development needed as we work towards implementation in 2012-2013.

The new Massachusetts ELA & Literacy and Mathematics Frameworks incorporate the Common Core Standards. Below are documents and links to learn more about the Common Core.

• Common Core Overview
• Common Core Shifts
• National PTA Parent Guides

What has the district done to prepare for the new Frameworks?

2012-2013

• Through a summer 2012 R&D, new semester courses in high school English were created with the new frameworks in mind.
• Through a summer 2012 R&D, the K-6 Everyday Math curriculum was revised to help support the new mathematics framework.
• A summer 6 Trait workshop was held, with a focus on the Common Core shifts.
• Two 2-day workshops with Kathy Collins focused on Growing Readers and the shifts within the Common Core.
• A Pathways to the ELA Common Core K-8 workshop was attended by APS Reading Specialists, a team of educators from the Junior High, and the Director of Curriculum and Assessment.

2011-2012

• Reading support personnel hired for the Junior High
• New Frameworks distributed to all schools and departments
• Literacy for All Conference attended by Elementary Principals and Reading Specialists, team of teachers and administrators from the Junior High and the Regional Department Leader of Special Education Services.
• Grade levels and departments use new Frameworks as they develop Learning Goals and Assessment Tools
• Continued attendance of 7th grade departments to 6th grade district meeting
• Attendance of elementary special educators to elementary district grade level meetings
• Attendance of A-B special educators to department meetings for new Framework discussions
• Four Curriculum meetings K-12 (Elementary Specialist, JHDL and RDL) for ELA, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies/History and World Languages (7-12) and full day meetings for Physical Education, Visual Arts, and Performing Arts

2010-2011

• Teachers and Administrators attended conferences to learn about the Common Core standards
• Director of Curriculum presented, Common Core and MA Frameworks to the EDCO Program Advisory Council and to our districts' Principals
• Discussions with Department Heads
• K-12 ELA Committee unpacked the new MA ELA and Literacy standards and where applicable, provided learning activities to guide understanding
• K-6 Grade level meetings devoted time to reviewing new mathematics framework and identifying needed resources
• K-6 Mathematics Program updates, where applicable, were purchased
• A summer R&D completed for Conant and Gates grades 3-6 with mathematics consultant
• Teaching and Learning Committee convened to assess Literacy instruction in the district and develop definition and goals
• Leveled libraries purchased for all elementary schools as well as some Reading Assessment tools
• Literacy Professional Development (reading focus) provided throughout the district including: Reading Comprehension Strategies at the Junior High, Annenberg Reading Course 3-5, 6 Traits Writing in Nonfiction 7-8, Running Records 1-6

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