Progress
Report
1996 -1997 School Year
Goal 2: Curriculum
Adopted curriculum is the foundation for teaching and learning.
Since the inception of the District, TUSD has been at the forefront in the development
of curriculum. TUSD has been a pioneer in the areas of exceptional education and bilingual
education. Innovations have included such programs as Love of Reading Week and the first
mariachi curriculum for high school students. This past year, work done in the area of
curriculum has moved us further along in our vision of developing materials for students
to become successful in the 21" century.
In 1996-97, a major accomplishment was the alignment of the CORE Curriculum with the
Stanford 9, with the state standards and with the "Profile of the 21st Century
Graduate". These teachers' curriculum changes were a result of the work done by the
Committee of 100. This committee, composed of staff and community members, worked to
assure that all TUSD students graduate prepared for the demands and challenges of the 21st
century.
CORE Curriculum forms the heart of TUSD's required courses. It provides the framework
to identify what is taught and what students will learn through the content areas. CORE
includes a scope and sequence for the curriculum, outlining the major objectives at
individual grade levels; the use of a variety of materials including "hands on"
science kits, specialized materials and more traditional textbooks for specific subjects
or grade levels; and a variety of assessment and evaluation procedures, i.e. portfolio
analysis, projects, and standardized tests.
One of the key parts of CORE is a set of standards providing students with the skills
to succeed inside and outside of the classroom. In 1992, TUSD and community members
created standards specifying the knowledge, skills, and personal qualities TUSD students
will need to succeed in the next century. Known as the "Profile of the 21stCentury
Graduate," this set of guidelines influences all teaching and learning in the
District's classrooms. While the profile recognizes the importance of skills and
knowledge, it also emphasizes the significance of possessing the personal qualities
necessary to meet the challenges of the 21st century. Students must be self-directed
learners, collaborative workers, problem solvers, responsible citizens, and quality
producers.
TUSD's curriculum specifies how teaching these personal qualities can be integrated
with the learning of the Essential Skills and CORE subjects such as language arts, health,
technology, vocational education and physical education. In addition, instructional
strategies reflect the advances in instructional technology, ie. computer software skills,
and provide opportunities for students to develop proficiency in their use.
In addition to instilling these success-oriented traits, the District has also worked
with Pima Community College to provide students with opportunities to take college courses
while in high school. Known as the Seamless Curriculum, community college classes are
offered at all five of our magnet high schools that allow students to get ahead in the
college units while permitting advanced students a chance to flourish at their exceptional
pace. Aviation Structural Repair, Astronomy and Courtroom Speaking and Writing are among
courses offered.
 |
| Rebecca R. Montaņo, Assistant
Superintendent of Curriculum/Instruction and Student Learning, was honored with an
Education Award from the League of United Latin American Citizens. |
Some of our teachers have also been nationally recognized for their creative teaching.
Dr. Jeffrey Lockwood and Barry Roth of Sahuaro High School won first place in the Intel
"Innovations in Teaching" competition.
The development of alternative schools further insures that any student can take
advantage of a solid education. In 1996 TUSD opened the Southwest Alternative Middle
School and Youth Storefront Project. Southwest Alternative, a collaboration of the Native
American Studies and Alternative Education departments, is our third middle school
alternative program. Located in what was Lawrence Elementary School, the school is first
alternative program not located in the central part of TUSD.
The Youth Storefront is an entrepreneurial program that works in conjunction with other
Alternative Education programs. Available to any TUSD high school students, the project
works with our other Alternative Education programs.
As a way of increasing student chances to access a secondary education, the District's
Alternative Education Department instituted university scheduling in its programs in the
spring of 1997. Not only does this scheduling system allow Alternative Education students
to take courses at other sites but it gives the alternative programs the opportunity to
offer a more comprehensive curriculum.
For a description of the personal and professional qualities defining the role of both
teacher and administrator, see Profile of the 21st Century Educator
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1996-97 Progress Report Table of Contents
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