Ellicott

CI – Background Information / Documents

Curriculum & Instruction – Background Information / Documents

SSR FindingsBackground Information / DocumentsEvidence

District Curriculum:

  • Ellicott Curriculum – The district reworked the math curriculum district-wide in 2021 (Eureka – Primary, Savvas – Secondary). ELA curriculum was adopted at each individual building separately. Preschool uses Handwriting without Tears and Heggerty for phonemic awareness. Elementary uses Wonders 2020. Middle school uses locally made curriculum based off the 2020 state standards. High school adopted ODELL in 2024. Each year a different content will receive a more in-depth review to make adjustments and re-evaluate the programs being used to determine if changes need to be made
  • Curriculum Development – The last district-wide curriculum was the math curriculum adoption in 2021. Each building developed a team to evaluate each curricular option. The teams then met together as a district to assure horizontal/vertical alignment and to compare findings. The committee then presented options and a recommendation in a public forum (board meeting) for input. Once all factors were considered, a decision was made. Smaller curricular decisions (i.e. intervention program) were made at the building level approved by the superintendent. Social emotional curriculum was assisted by the district MTSS team. All curricular decisions are based on 2020 standards and are supported by curriculum maps.
  • Curriculum Visibility – Curricular resources made available internally to staff. The district is planning to improve visibility to community stakeholders.
  • Additional Curricular Programs –
    • PS: Creative Curriculum, Second Step Social Emotional Curriculum, Handwriting without Tears, Heggerty Phonics
    • ES: Zearn, Reflex, Second Step, Capturing Kids Hearts, Kagan, SIPPS, Take Flight, Lexia, Anchored 4 Life/ Trevor Roman, Brianwise , Heggerty, Wilson Fundations, Wilson Reading Interventions, Handwriting without Tears
    • MS: Second Step, YouScience, Zearn, Read 180, Kagan
    • HS: YouScience, Bloomsights, Kagan
  • Instructional Review – The district still needs to outline and formalize the process for reviewing current programs. Individual building annually review each program’s effective to determine its continued use.

District MTSS Approach:

  • In conjunction with CDE, the Ellicott School District RTI Process was created to align RTI processes and procedures throughout the district. This was an extensive process to ensure that a foundation was laid to support struggling students. Currently we are using the district’s RTI/MTSS resources and processes along with team, coaches, and admin discussion to determine a student’s progress and concerns. We use district wide assessments as part of the determining factors.

Resources/Programs available to students before, during and after school for intervention and enrichment:

  • Additional resources and/or programs available
    • SAT Prep Groups
    • Intervention Programs (Zearn, Edmentum, Reflex, Edmentum, Moby)
    • After school enrichment programs
    • Tuturing
    • Academic Clubs
    • STEM nights
    • Family Nights
    • Art Show
    • Career Fair/College Fairs

ICAP Approach:

  • Individual Career Academic Plan (ICAP) – Students are in year one of completing an online portfolio to be started in 6th grade and to be completed by Senior year. The portfolio will attach to a Google Site that will follow the students. The district offers multiple opportunities outside of the school day that include college trips, fairs, internships, and field trips to expose students to new opportunities. Students will use Seminar/Homeroom time to complete the requirements for ICAP.

Data Management:

  • Data Management/Reporting System – Preschool uses Teaching Strategies Gold. Students are assessed 3 times a year and student data is used to develop small group instruction based on student needs. Elementary uses DIBELS 3 times a year. All grades 3rd -12th use NWEA as our local interim assessment. Assessment scores are housed in Infinite Campus for the district. In addition to local assessments, schools evaluate CMAS and SAT data/reports. This data informs decisions about curriculum, instruction, and programming.

Behavioral Expectations:

  • Second Step Social Emotional curriculum lessons are taught everyday along with classroom expectations being set and taught from the first day of school and retaught as needed at the elementary level. CKH is used for classroom expectations being set and taught from the first day of school. Student leadership and lessons are sponsored by Anchored 4 life. Smaller groups of social emotional lessons are provided during Lunch Bunch. Additional measures include school-wide assemblies at the beginning of the year to discuss expectations. Students handbooks are revised and reviewed on a yearly basis. Freshman Academy was built at the high school level to transition students to the expectations of high school.