Curriculum director gives explanations to avoid ?the look?

In public education, specifically the curriculum office, it is very easy to take for granted that everyone comes into a discussion with the same knowledge base. I try very hard to remember that, if an individual?s daily reality is different than mine, the likelihood of a common knowledge base is very low. Many times, during conversations or meetings in which I am required to present information, I see ?the look.? ?The look? is my indicator that I have mentioned an acronym that my audience has not yet encountered or they are bored out of their minds. I choose to believe the former.

In an attempt to broaden the community?s common language base, I have written some formal definitions of acronyms that swim in my curriculum mind on a daily basis. Hope this helps stakeholders who are striving to learn the education lingo. Remember, if anyone has any confusion, please call me at 641-472-2655. Ask for Marci. Here are a few acronyms you will be hearing more about in the near future.

AIW-Authentic Intellectual Work ? Authentic Intellectual Work is the name of the professional learning Fairfield High School Teachers are tackling this year. The purpose of AIW is to present teachers with reflective, collaborative opportunities to increase the rigor of the tasks and instruction they deliver to students. In addition, AIW presents opportunities for teachers to analyze the caliber of student work produced after or during instruction.

APR-Annual Progress Report ? Annual Progress Report-Each of the state?s 361 districts are required to submit an annual report of student progress to the Iowa Department of Education and to its community. Fairfield CSD presents this information annually to the community through the FCSD Board of Directors. The determination of success of failure is dependent upon whether or not the district meets the goals it set for itself the year before. A copy of our APR can be found on the district website, under the curriculum tab.

BRI-Basic Reading Inventory ? Jerry L. Johns Basic Reading Inventories are assessments that are administered to FCSD students in grades first through eighth in the fall, winter and spring. Through these quick, timed assessments, teachers gain specific knowledge about a student?s reading accuracy, rate and comprehension skills. At the elementary and middle school levels, many teachers base their professional development plans on incorporating researched based strategies into their instruction with the expectation of meeting the goal of advancing student scores on the BRI.

CSIP-Comprehensive School Improvement Plan ? Each of the state?s 361 districts is required to submit a CSIP. The CSIP is the foundation of continuous school improvement, through all facets of our educational programming. The primary focus on the CSIP for our district is the following 5-year goals:

All students will be prepared for reading success beyond high school;

All students will be prepared for mathematics success beyond high school;

All students will be prepared for science success beyond high school;

All students will be prepared for reading, mathematics and science success beyond high school through the meaningful integration of technology; and

All students will feel safe and connected to school.

SINA-School In Need of Assistance ? This is an aspect of the State of Iowa?s Accountability Plan for No Child Left Behind. A SINA is a building whose students did not make adequate progress or hit state defined learning targets on the Iowa Test of Basic Skills or the Iowa Tests of Educational Development. In Fairfield, our middle school has a SINA Year 3 status. Please stand by for more information regarding our efforts to ensure student success and growth.

Remember, if these acronyms were foreign to you, you are NOT alone. Stay tuned ...

Marci Dunlap is the curriculum director of the Fairfield Community School District.