The Curriculum and Instruction Department provides leadership and support for District 104 staff and students. The department guides the development, alignment, and implementation of priority standards, implementation of curricular resources, and supports instructional practices intended to provide each student with an appropriately challenging educational experience. Through this work, the department promotes academic rigor, creativity, critical thinking, and inclusivity.

Sara Leone
Director of Curriculum and Instruction
sleone@sd104.us

The curriculum at District 104 is aligned to with the Common Core State Standards as outlined by the state of Illinois. These standards provide a clear and consistent framework to prepare our children for college as well as a career in the 21st century workforce. These standards define the knowledge and skills students should have within their K-12 education so that they will graduate high school being able to succeed in entry-level, credit-bearing academic college courses and in workforce training programs.

Illinois Learning Standards

https://www.isbe.net/Documents/ELA_common_core_standards.pdf

https://www.isbe.net/Documents/Math_common_core_standards.pdf

Standards Based Report Cards

The district is in the process of transitioning to the use of standards-based report cards. Standards-based report cards provide a clear and consistent way to assess students' progress towards specific learning goals. This reporting system focuses on what students should know and be able to do, rather than just their overall grade or performance. This helps parents, teachers, and students understand areas of strength and weakness, and provides a roadmap for future learning. Standards-based report cards also promote equity, as they ensure that all students are held to the same high expectations and have equal opportunities to succeed.

Currently, this reporting system is in place for K-4 in the Dual Language Program and K-1 in English programming. In the coming years, English programming will also utilize standards-based report cards K-4.

Universal Screening Tools

Students in first through eighth grades take the NWEA MAP test in reading, math, and Spanish reading, for those students in the Dual Language program, in the fall, winter, and spring.  This adaptive computerized assessment, which is nationally normed, indicates what students know as well as skills they are ready to learn. Results from this assessment are used in determining appropriate academic support within the classroom.

https://www.nwea.org/blog/2021/12-common-questions-parents-ask-map-growth-assessment/

Kindergarten students are tested using ESGI, which assesses students on a one-on-one level with assessments based on standards-aligned kindergarten knowledge and skills.

Formative Assessments

Formative assessments are a type of evaluation created and used by teachers to monitor student learning and provide ongoing feedback to improve understanding and performance. This helps teachers identify areas where students may be struggling and adjust their teaching accordingly.

Summative Assessments

A summative assessment is an evaluation that assesses a student's learning at the end of a unit, course, or academic year. It is usually used to assign a grade or determine a student's progress.

State Assessments

Yearly, the state of Illinois issues assessments to students to determine learning outcomes. Students take assessments based on their educational programming and grade level. 

Illinois Assessment of Readiness Score Interpretation Guide for Parents

https://il.mypearsonsupport.com/reporting/

Illinois has released the testing dates for the 2024-2025 school year.

https://www.isbe.net/Documents/State-Assessment-Dates-2024-25.pdf