Design and implement high-impact learning experiences to
drive academic excellence.
Why is this urgent?
The Allentown School District is committed to providing a robust academic foundation that provides students with the necessary skills to think critically. These critical thinking skills are essential for thriving in post-secondary endeavors, including college, career, and lifelong learning. With this foundation, students are empowered to actively engage in their communities.
Our Commitment
Access to a strong academic foundation equips students with the capacity to unlock their full potential, actively contribute to society, and overcome obstacles that may hinder their success. Through a commitment to academic excellence and high-quality teaching and instructional best practices, we strive to close opportunity and learning gaps so that all students receive the support they need to excel now and in the future.
How Will We Measure Our Progress Towards These Goals?
Quarterly benchmark data; end-of-unit assessments, chronic absence rates and average daily attendance, state assessments, informal and formal observations and feedback data, grade and content group agendas and minutes, problems of practice and action plans, quarterly grades.
Empower students to develop reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills for a real-world purpose, using their voices to tackle important issues outside the classroom.
Invest in training and development for Parent-Teacher Team Meetings to foster early literacy and foundational skills growth.
Provide support to parents and students on how to use District-purchased online adaptive programming outside of school hours to enrich and reinforce the literacy skills students are developing in school.
Effectively deliver structured literacy instruction in pre-kindergarten through grade three, emphasizing foundational skills.
Provide students in grades K-8 with a solid foundation of arithmetic operations (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division) with whole numbers, fractions, and decimals. This includes fluency and understanding of the order of operations.
Implement assessments throughout K-8 to identify students who might struggle with Algebra 1 concepts. Provide targeted interventions and support for these students so that they are prepared for success in Algebra 1 by grade 9.
Develop staff and students’ capacity to understand and use the Standard for Mathematical Practices and apply it to problem-solving in real-world experiences.
Use mathematics literacy and real-world experience to improve understanding and application of Algebra 1 concepts.
Incorporate Instructional Rounds and School Quality Reviews to improve teaching and learning systematically. Engage teachers, school leaders, and district leaders to improve instruction in schools, networks, and systems.
Formulate comprehensive scaling to create an influential system-wide data culture. Use Data Wise, a collaborative, eight-step framework to systematically enhance learning and teaching through data-driven analysis and continuous improvement.
Expand access to rigorous coursework and increase enrollment in programs such as Advanced Placement, dual enrollment and early college, Career and Technical Education (CTE), and nonCTE career pathways. Provide sufficient preparation and support for students’ success.
Embed Career Education and Work Standards in English/English Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies curricula to prepare students with essential skills, competencies, and knowledge that employers are seeking. The skill and expertise will help students understand the practical application of their academic studies in real-world settings and make learning more relevant and engaging.
Establish a system that includes a structured database to develop, monitor, and support effective student success plans. Implement data collection processes to monitor student achievements and progress toward graduation credit, such as Act 158 evidence; Advanced Placement, PSAT/SAT, NIMS, and NOCTI participation and performance; credentials; and other post-secondary plans.
Develop an academic strategy aligned with PA Core and Common Core Standards, using quality curriculum, core materials, and evidence-based instructional practices, pedagogy, and methodology.
Develop Professional Learning Communities to enable leaders and teachers to collaborate systematically to enhance teaching and learning through data-driven analysis. Empower educators through a Cycle of Continuous Improvement to improve their knowledge, skills, and practices to create positive and conducive learning environments that are inclusive for all learners.
Implement an evidenced-based, Multi-Tiered System of Support framework for students and their families to improve regular attendance and provide additional resources for students at risk of chronic absenteeism.
Train parents, students, and school staff on how to utilize the attendance feature of the District's student information system to regularly track student school attendance percentages.
