Compelling Vision. Student Learning. Major Investments.

As the school year progresses, we experience a blend of familiar routines and exciting milestones. For some, it’s a welcome return to familiar faces, while for others, it can be a period of adjustment as we navigate the mid-year point, a new quarter and semester, and the ever-changing landscape of an academic calendar year.?

Throughout this dynamic period, our dedicated staff, students and community partners remain committed to prioritizing student learning. Their collective efforts ensure high-quality learning support for each and every student.?

Our Compelling Vision?

As I’ve shared in previous newsletters, our district’s Compelling Vision continues to serve as the guiding compass for our district. In this newsletter, I will focus on two major initiatives in our district, a new math curriculum and the continuing implementation of our Comprehensive Literacy Framework.

Both of these major initiatives are centered on providing quality core instruction and developing student agency – which are key elements of high quality learning and our district’s Compelling Vision.?

Building upon the many good things already happening, Shakopee Public Schools is investing large amounts of time, training and money into improving student learning across all five elementary schools, in addition to continual progress in early childhood and secondary buildings.?

At the center of this work is the implementation of a new math curriculum and the continued implementation of our district’s Comprehensive Literacy Plan. The Comprehensive Literacy Plan focuses on professional development for our teachers in the Science of Reading and the adoption of a new curriculum that aligns with the State of Minnesota’s READ Act.?

"Since September 2023, K-9 teams have worked to review resources, develop plans, complete training and find ways to connect the new math curriculum to student needs. The goal is to have all K-12 classrooms focused on building student agency with these enhanced tools by June 2025 so that the 2025-26 school year can truly be focused on assessment of progress, coaching and real-time student feedback."?

- Nika Summer, current Curriculum Articulation Committee lead and Assistant Director of Learning, Teaching & Equity (Grades K-5) alongside Sarah Wehrenberg (Grades 6-12), Shakopee Public Schools?

Math Curriculum - Building Thinking Classrooms?

Future success in math later in life is often predicated on developing a solid foundation of math skills while an elementary school student. Our district will be Building Thinking Classrooms and helping students learn better by using the nationally recognized Illustrative Math curriculum.

This curriculum focuses on conceptual understanding and number sense that brings students into the world of math through hands-on activities and discussion-based explorations. It is a research supported approach that provides a connection between math and students’ lives.?

The curriculum prioritizes deep comprehension of concepts over short-term memorization. It also prioritizes fostering critical thinking and application of knowledge. The ultimate goal is for each of our students to become skilled problem-solvers and critical thinkers, who understand how math works.

Comprehensive Literacy Framework??

Our school district is also making a major investment of time and talent in the area of literacy. Our planning work in recent years via the Comprehensive Literacy Framework has allowed our district to be ready to follow the math curriculum implementation with an additional deep implementation of the Science of Reading and the implementation of a new literacy curriculum.?

A number of our teachers have started intensive training in structured literacy (another name for Science of Reading) via the CORE Learning Language and Literacy Academy. At the same time, teachers, principals and district leaders are researching, examining and piloting various forms of literacy curriculum with the goal being to make an informed selection that will serve our students very well for an extended period of time.?

In Closing?

I cannot overstate how incredibly appreciative I am of the amazing efforts of our teachers, staff and leaders in making the major investments in math and literacy a reality for our students.

Their dedication to the professional training and the substantial amount of planning and preparation it takes to implement new curriculum and new ways of teaching is beyond impressive. It truly shows the deep level of commitment our team has to serving each and every one of our students so they may each reach their fullest individual learning potential.?

I am extremely excited to see the improved learning results once each of these systems is fully implemented.

Mike Redmond