The purpose of the Instructional Coaching Program is to collaboratively engage teachers to improve student outcomes.
We believe:
- – learning is an ongoing and continuous process,
- that all efforts aimed at improvement should be student-centered; focused on improving student learning and student learning behaviors,
- timely and relevant student data is essential to theu00a0instructionalu00a0coachingu00a0process,
- use of provenu00a0instructionalu00a0strategies and classroom practices lead to improvements in student achievement,
- trust and relationships are the basis for successful collaboration and allow teachers to take risks,
- instructionalu00a0coachingu00a0support enables teachers to use student data to engage in self-reflection and self-evaluation which in turn, leads to changes in practice and ultimately, improved student outcomes,
- effective and responsive teachers have the greatest impact on student achievement,
- effective and responsive teachers spend time discussing students and student achievement, seek out opportunities to observe and discussu00a0teaching, are constantly looking for new ideas, talk to one another aboutu00a0teachingu00a0practice and demonstrate strong interdependence, and are interested in learning from others’ success,
- instructionalu00a0coachingu00a0promotes consistency among teachers, buildings, and practices, and
- instructionalu00a0coachingu00a0leads to school-wide and district improvement.
KCSD instructional coaches are important members of school district staff who have demonstrated exceptionalu00a0teachingu00a0skills, and knowledge of current trends in professional development and effective education practices.
NOTE | The district is nearing completion of standards and benchmarks in 16 curricular areas. This development process has included all PreK-12 teachers. Curriculum development occurs during the district’s early release Wednesdays.
ASSESSMENTS
Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) legislation requires that states annually assess all students on achievement of grade-level, state-adopted standards in reading, mathematics, and science. To meet the requirements of the legislation, Iowa school districts and buildings must report assessment results for all students in reading and mathematics in Grades 3–8 and one grade in high school. In science, student results are reported in one grade each for elementary, middle school, and high school. No more than 1% of students with significant cognitive disabilities must also be assessed in reading, mathematics, and science using an alternate assessment. Students identified as English language learners (ELL) are additionally assessed in Grades K–12 on achievement of state-adopted English language proficiency standards.
ISASP
State academic assessment: The Iowa Statewide Assessment of Student Progress (ISASP) is the summative accountability assessment for all Iowa students that meets the requirements of the federal Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). The test was developed by Iowa Testing Programs (ITP) at the University of Iowa as per the Iowa Legislature (HF 2235) and was first administered in the spring of 2019. The ISASP is aligned to the Iowa Core academic standards and accurately describes student achievement and growth.
Grades Required:
- – Per ESSA:* Reading and mathematics in grades 3-8, 10 and 11. Science in grades 5, 8 and 10. Per Iowa Code:* Reading and mathematics in grades 3-11. Science in grades 5, 8 and 10. –
- – Per Iowa Code:* Reading and mathematics in grades 3-11. Science in grades 5, 8 and 10. Per state statute, tests will be administered during the last quarter of the year. March 10-May 9, 2025.
- – Note: *The Iowa School Performance Profiles is an ESSA-required report. Thus, grade 9 is not included in the report, even though they are required by Iowa Code to be assessed.
Testing Window: Per state statute, tests will be administered during the last quarter of the year. March 10-May 9, 2025.
All students in these grades are to take this assessment. The exception is students taking the state alternate assessment.
MAPS
Measures of Academic Progress Test: MAP is a periodic adaptive assessment that lends itself to student goal-setting and enables teachers to adjust and differentiate instructions in real time.
DLM
Dynamic Learning Maps (DLM)
Grades Required:
- – Reading and mathematics in grades 3-11.
- – Science in grades 5, 8 and 10.
Testing Window:
- Fall: Phase 1 Sept. 9-Oct. 25, 2024.
- Fall: Phase 2 Oct. 28- Dec. 20, 2024.
- Spring: Phase 1 Feb. 3- March 21, 2025.
- Spring: Phase 2 March 24-May 16, 2025.
For students with an Individualized Education Program (IEP) that meet qualifications for participating in Iowa’s alternate assessments.
MORE INFORMATION
ENGLISH-LANGUAGE LEARNERS PLAN
INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS
The Keokuk Community School District utilizes high-quality instructional materials that meet the state of Iowa’s selection criteria and have been vetted through a rigorous curriculum adoption process.
- K-5 ELA– MyView – Savvas
K-5 Math– Bridges – The Math Learning Center
6-12 ELA– StudySync – McGraw-Hill
6-12 Math– enVision Math – Savvas
