As we are in the final stages of developing the 2016-17 School Budget at SOCSD, it is important to remind ourselves that helping students succeed academically is our primary mission. According to Harvard University professor, Dr. Richard Elmore, educators can best serve their students by actively engaging them in classroom instruction that emphasizes rigorous and relevant content, taught by highly skilled teachers. This model of improved student learning is referred to as the “instructional core.” As superintendent, I would like to take this opportunity to ask all employees, students, and families in the SOCSD community to focus and re-focus on our instructional core.
Our staff has worked diligently on creating curriculum, or “what is taught” that reflects fewer, clearer, and higher standards of student learning. This content is: aligned with college and work expectations, so that all students are prepared for success upon graduating from high school; inclusive of rigorous content and applications of knowledge through higher-order skills, so that all students are prepared for the 21st century; and internationally benchmarked, so that all students are prepared for succeeding in our global economy and society. The skills and knowledge that the teachers bring to the classroom have been enhanced by professional development opportunities offered throughout the year.
Often, the piece that is missing or underdeveloped in our instructional core is active engagement by our students. Dr. Elmore further states that, “Americans are much more comfortable talking about changing content and teaching than they are about changing the role of the student in the instructional process.” As we approach the mid-year point, I strongly encourage all members of this community of learners to renew their awareness as to whether our students actively engaged in their own learning. Children are more engaged in student-centered classrooms where they are encouraged to generate and apply content in an active manner. We are developing instructional techniques at SOCSD that focus more on what students “do” in relation to what is to be learned rather than knowledge that is acquired through rote memorization.
We will keep you updated on the progress of our young learners and our continued focus on the instructional core throughout the year. As superintendent, it is my primary responsibility to protect and promote the instructional core as our main mission here at SOCSD. Please contact me if I can be of any assistance toward helping your student become more actively engaged in his or her own learning.