Section 500
Policy 503

Educational Services - Standards Based Education

1. By the completion of each required content (subject) sequence each student will have:
   
   
   
   1. Demonstrated reading proficiency and will have read, understood and evaluated a wide range of information sources and literature;
      
      
   2. Demonstrated writing proficiency necessary for effective communication;
      
      
   3. Demonstrated proficiency in listening and oral expression skills necessary for effective communication.
      
      
   4. Demonstrated proficiency in mathematics by solving problems requiring number sense, accurate computation, accurate measurement, collection of data and statistics, algebraic methods, and geometry;
      
      
   5. Acquired essential science skills and knowledge including use of the scientific investigation process; understandings of concepts of Life, Earth and Physical Sciences; understandings of the interrelationships among the sciences and the applications of science as technology; and knowledge of the impact of science in our world.
      
      
   6. Used processes and resources of historical inquiry and will have acquired knowledge and basic understandings of Colorado, United States and World History.
      
      
   7. Used geographic tools to locate and derive information about people and their cultures, places and environments, and will have acquired knowledge and basic understandings of Geography.
      
      
   8. Acquired knowledge and basic understandings of the principles of Economics and economic systems.
      
      
   9. Acquired knowledge and basic understandings of Civics including government systems, American government (local, state and federal levels), the Constitution, and one's citizenship responsibilities.
      
      
   10. Acquired basic art understandings and proficiencies.
       
       
   11. Acquired basic music understandings and proficiencies.
       
       
   12. Demonstrated competent skills in a variety of physical activities and sports, physical fitness, and knowledge of factors important to participation in physical activity.
       
       
   13. Demonstrated basic proficiency in a foreign language by effectively communicating in the language (for students participating in a foreign language program of study).
       
       
   14. Demonstrated an understanding of basic operations and concepts of technology systems; social, ethical, and human issues as related to technology; and the use of technology tools to increase productivity, communication, research and problem solving.
   
   
   
2. School programs and services shall be structured to assure that each student has the educational experiences needed to achieve the adopted content standards.

1. Content expectations, statements of what students should know or be able to do upon completion of an instructional sequence, shall be established for each standard for each grade level, (kindergarten through grade 8) and for each high school course. The Board shall adopt these expectations as the foundation for curriculum, standards based instruction, and assessment of student achievement. The expectations shall be aligned with state benchmarks and assessment frameworks to assure that the District's curricula and standards meet or exceed state standards.

1. Each school shall fully participate in the Colorado Student Assessment Program (CSAP) as required and directed by the Colorado Department of Education. CSAP results shall be kept for each student. Individual student results shall be reported to the student and his/her parents or guardians. Group data shall be used as part of the data collected to analyze and evaluate student achievement within the school and District. Group CSAP results shall be reported to the public but individual student results shall be confidential.
   
   
2. Every student in the eleventh (11th) grade must take the American College Test (ACT) on a date as scheduled by the Colorado Department of Education. Students, on their own initiative, may also take the test at another time at their own expense.
   
   
3. Assessments that measure achievement of standards based learning expectations are to be routinely used to determine the extent of student achievement. Assessments may include observations of performances, demonstrations, student products, writing samples, chapter and unit tests, teacher generated tests, technology based assessments, and semester and final exams. Each kindergarten student’s reading readiness shall be assessed. The literacy and reading comprehension level of every first, second and third grader shall also be assessed. Instruments used for these assessments must be approved by the Colorado Department of Education. Students below required levels are to be provided an Individual Literacy Plan (See Policy 507, Article 1). Students with Individual Literacy Plans are to be reassessed each semester.
   
   
4. Each kindergarten student's reading readiness shall be assessed. The literacy and reading comprehension level of every first, second and third grader shall also be assessed. Instruments used for these assessments must be approved by the Colorado Department of Education. Students below required levels are to be provided an Individual Literacy Plan (See Policy 507, Article 1). Students with Individual Literacy Plans are to be reassessed each semester.
   
   
5. The Colorado Department of Education is required to provide diagnostic academic growth information for each student enrolled in the District based on state assessment results for the preceding school years. This information shall be included in each student's individual educational record.

1. Four performance levels shall be used to determine levels of achievement within the District and to permit comparisons with CSAP data: “Advanced”, “Proficient”, “Partially Proficient”, and “Unsatisfactory”. Proficient shall be the standard for indicating that students have sufficiently achieved the grade or course expectations at their current level. Performance levels shall be calculated from Standards Based Achievement Grades (see Policy 515, Article 1, Grades). Upon completion of the final level of a program sequence, proficient shall mean that the student has attained the content standard.

1. Each Principal shall assure that instructional services are available and organized to address the different learning style, abilities and various backgrounds of students and for eliminating barriers to equity so that students may attain or exceed the expectations and standards established by the Board of Education.
   
   
2. Each Principal shall assure, through meetings and written materials, that parents of enrolled students are informed of the District's content standards, Performance Levels and Standard, grade and course expectations, how progress will be measured, and of their student's progress in achieving the content standards.
   
   
3. Each Individual Education Program developed for a student with a disability shall specify whether the student shall achieve the District's adopted standards or whether such student shall achieve individualized standards that will indicate the student has met the requirements of such student's individual education program.