Vision, Goals, and Objectives

UPSD LEARNING PRINCIPLES

1. Curricula will reflect opportunities for authentic learning. Learners will be given opportunities to use their existing skills and understandings to make connections to new learning. Learners will apply critical and creative thinking to collaboratively and individually solve authentic problems

2. Successful learning requires individuals who know how to reflect, self-assess, and use feedback to establish personal goals for learning. The teaching and modeling of the reflective practice will be incorporated in all aspects of the learning process.

3. All curriculum, planning, design and content delivery will address the intentional development of competencies, skills, and understandings relevant to both the subject area and the broader set of authentic ‘life skills’ such as creative expression, skillful communication, self-direction, resilience, and persistence through common language and assessment practices.

4. The school district is a community of learners where ability is seen as dynamic and the environment in all classrooms allows each student to grow, develop, and engage in meaningful learning.  

5. Learners will engage in work in supportive environments and receive regular and specific feedback related to their progress in order to maximize learning and develop individual persistence,  The students will be given opportunities to use that feedback to remain accountable while improving their own learning.

6. All learners are capable of their highest potential when interests and strengths are recognized and accommodated in inclusive learning environments, when there is an appropriate blend of challenge, comfort, and support in those environments, and when success is seen as attainable through persistent effort.

Upper Perk Learns: Goals for Initiative

1. Increase student engagement in and out of the classroom.
2. Shift curriculum, instruction, and assessment practices towards meaningful and relevant learning experiences.
3. Increase student achievement through a variety of authentic measures.
4. Increase communication between students, teachers, parents, and the community.
5. Foster 21st Century Skills to prepare our students for their future
   1. Creativity
   2. Collaboration
   3. Communication
   4. Critical Thinking
   5. Digital Citizenship
6. Increase opportunities for individualized and personalized learning for every student
7. Digital equity in access, device, and platform across the district.

Measurement of Goals

• Student Digital Portfolio (viewing actual work and products) review
• Danielson Evaluation (include SOL and SESS)
• BrightBytes Clarity Survey for 21st Century Learning (using CASE Framework)
• Curriculum Review
• Student Attendance Rates, Dropout Rates, and Graduation Rates
• Student Engagement Observations (using iCot Observation form)
• Learning Walks