The Bellevue School District has developed a bold new plan to ensure every student reaches academic, social and emotional success. The district recently unveiled three new Instructional Initiatives, a set of priorities for the next three to five years which are closely aligned with the district’s mission: to provide all students with an exemplary education so they can succeed in college, career, and life.
The Instructional Initiatives fall into three categories:
- Preparing students for academic success in core content areas through achieving proficiency in literacy, math, and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math), as measured by state assessments.
- Preparing students for college and career success by meeting college academic distribution requirements (CADR) and earning at least 20 college credits and/or professional certification.
- Preparing students for a positive and productive life through the development of interpersonal skills and a commitment to the community.
The first Initiative, Academic Success, focuses on early proficiency in core subject areas. Each and every student will demonstrate proficiency as measured by state assessments in 3rd grade reading, 5th grade math, 7th grade writing and 8th grade science.
Teams of district staff will take a closer look at how Bellevue students are currently performing and determine benchmarks and a timeline for 100% proficiency in each of those areas, with one exception. The district has already set a goal of reaching 100% proficiency in 3rd grade reading by the 2015-16 school year, aligning with the Eastside Pathways “Campaign for 3rd Grade Reading.”
The second Initiative, College and Career Success, prepares students for success once they leave Bellevue schools. It calls for achieving a 100% extended graduation rate by the 2017-18 school year. It more closely aligns the district’s graduation requirements with minimum college entrance requirements. The district currently does not require world language or senior math as a high school graduation requirement, though nearly 78% of Bellevue students graduate with 2 world language credits and 92% take a math class during their senior year.
The district has also set a goal of every student graduating with at least 20 college credits and/or professional certification. Research has shown that earning 20 college credits or more during high school or the first year in college dramatically increases the chances a student will complete college.
The third Initiative, Positive and Productive Life, looks at the “whole child,” and ensures that students are prepared to lead a positive life, know how to connect with the community, as well as work with others effectively. One way the district is addressing this Initiative is by launching a new Social & Emotional Learning curriculum next fall in grades 3-5. The RULER (Recognize, Understand, Label, Express, Regulate) Approach teaches skills to promote effective personal, social, and workplace success. District teams will also develop additional measurement tools for this Initiative.
District “Action Teams” have launched and will work to develop project plans and benchmarks for all three Instructional Initiatives. It’s a big task, but one that makes good on the promise of the district’s mission and commitment to supporting each and every child, in every classroom, every day.
Submitted by Sara Schwartz, Communications Manager, Bellevue School District.