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Curriculum
Curriculum Overview
The CCSD Department of Curriculum and Instruction coordinates district efforts to design and develop a written curriculum. It also ensures best practice classroom instruction through research-based professional development and utilizes student achievement data analysis in assisting the district schools in improvement planning. It does not discriminate on the basis of: age, color, creed, national origin, race, religion, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, physical attributes, physical or mental ability or disability, ancestry, political party preference, political belief, socioeconomic status, or familial status.
The CCSD has a rich history of curriculum development and implementation. This has been a significant area of strength for our district. This expertise will be put to good use as we begin to adopt and implement the state curriculum, known as the Iowa Core.
On July 29, 2010, Iowa joined 29 other states in adopting national standards for what students should learn in math and English. Since that time, 46 states have adopted what is now known as the Common Core as their state curriculum. Within the Common Core, each state has the freedom to add 15% additional standards to the Common Core. Iowa has done this. Because of the additional standards, the curriculum taught in Iowa will be called the Iowa Core. Beginning in August of 2012, the CCSD began implementation of the Iowa Core in K-2 math, 3-5 language arts, and middle school math and language arts. The Iowa Core was completely implemented in all math and language arts/English classrooms beginning in 2014.
The Iowa Core is 50% what is taught (the curriculum) and 50% how it is taught (instructional strategies). From this point forward, the curriculum standards, starting with math and English, will be given to each district from the State. At this time, it is left to each district to unpack the Iowa Core Curriculum and select research-based instructional strategies to best deliver the curriculum. For the important work associated with delivery of the Iowa Core Curriculum, the CCSD will draw heavily from two noted sources, the Gradual Release of Responsibility as presented by Dr. Doug Fisher and Dr. Nancy Frey, and Professional Learning Communities as developed by Dr. Richard DuFour.