Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment are the vehicles educators and schools use to drive learning. In Westport, staff at all levels continuously adjust their practice based on the data produced by these components of education. In the recent past, teachers reviewed and revised their teaching units using the Understanding by Design (UbD) framework.
This year, we are focused on literacy across all subjects. Our goal is to amplify our students’ reading, math, civics, history, science, digital, and financial literacy. We have adopted the Reading Wonders program at the elementary school; professional development for this implementation will be ongoing. We are diving into the research and learning around “The Science of Reading,” so we can make the best use of our time in the classroom with learners, and we are personalizing instruction by incorporating the best of what we learned during virtual learning over the past couple years.
ST Math, STEAM, and project-based learning engage our learners each day, at all levels. We have adopted iReady Classroom Math in grades K-3. This math program provides time for students to practice fluency, engage in academic discussions about math, and learn about math through application of what they learn through direct instruction AND through individual, paired, and group work. These are just some of the high-quality programs, habits of mind, and instructional strategies that Westport students benefit from each day.
At the high school level, we are awaiting designations in two Innovation Career Pathways: Health Care & Social Assisting and Advanced Manufacturing. This will allow us to structure student learning around career goals and connect students to internships and experiential learning related to career interests. We have expanded our AP offerings and our career-connected offerings, including a Robotics course and a Materials and Manufacturing course.
Professional Development here in Westport creates a through-line that connects staff to the learning they need to engage, connect with, and teach each child who walks through our doors.
