{KXLG -Watertown, SD} The Watertown School Board received a detailed update on the district’s curriculum changes and professional development initiatives from K-12 Instructional Design Coordinator Tricia Walker. The presentation highlighted the district’s extensive, year-round efforts to align with new state standards and prepare staff for the upcoming academic year.
Walker began by outlining the district’s curriculum development process, emphasizing its focus on providing quality, consistent instruction across all grade levels. She noted that a major part of this work involves following a seven-year curriculum adoption cycle that aligns with the state of South Dakota’s standards…
The presentation detailed key changes across core subjects:
- Mathematics: The 2024-2025 school year was the launch year for new math programs. K-6 students are now using “Illustrative Math,” while grades 7-12 have adopted “McGraw Reveal.” New high school math courses have also been added, including an accelerated Algebra 1, a revised Algebra 2 with financial applications, and a new college-level statistics course…
- Social Studies: This year marks the adoption of new state social studies standards. The district’s elementary grades will now use the “Studies Weekly” platform, which includes content on South Dakota and Native American studies…
- Teachers will be required to align their science and social studies units to ensure all content is covered. The middle school curriculum has been restructured to cover American history from 1492 to 2008, while high school students will take a new, required course on South Dakota Native American studies as freshmen.
Board member Jean Moulton expressed concern that the social studies curriculum has been negatively impacted by a shortage of teachers and the effects of the Arrow Academy program. She cited a decline in course offerings and a reduction of others, such as American government and AP U.S. History, stating that the high school had more core subject teachers in 2007 with fewer students than it does today. Walker responded that the district consolidated some courses due to a lack of student interest in advanced classes, and the changes were made to be “responsive and responsible” to enrollment numbers…
Board member Roshal Rossman asked about the staff’s morale regarding the new, highly publicized social studies standards…
Walker acknowledged that teachers are “nervous” about the changes and the potential for parental questions, but that the district is preparing a letter to inform families about the new curriculum.
- English Language Arts (ELA): The district is in its first year of a study to prepare for new ELA standards. The initial focus will be on improving writing and vocabulary instruction, with plans to address other components like reading and phonics in the coming years.
Walker also detailed the wide range of professional development opportunities offered to staff over the summer, including online courses, new teacher academies, and specialized training on literacy and intervention strategies. She highlighted the success of a Watertown staff member who presented on vocabulary at a state literacy summit, demonstrating the quality of the district’s professional development programs. The board concluded the discussion by requesting future updates on class sizes and course offerings.
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