Standards Based Learning


Teachers respond to the needs of individual students by scaffolding learning, providing different activities, using technology, focusing on different standards for different children in a response to their learning needs. Standards are often embedded into authentic projects to ensure hands on learning experiences and opportunities to connect to the real world. Pike Road Schools follow a standard based curriculum based on Alabama College and Career Ready Standards and Alabama State Course of Study (ALEX) 

Why we use Standards Based to learning:

 

  • Keeps the focus on learning.
  • Allows students to progress at different rates, including working ahead.
  • Allows teachers to customize instruction to meet the needs of individual students.
  • Ensure no gaps in a child’s knowledge.
  • Encourages students to take ownership of their learning. (This is what I know and can do. This is what I don’t know or can’t do. This is what I am working toward.)
  • Allows students to show their knowledge in a variety of ways.
  • Allows students to recover from a previous low or failing grade. Example: A student does not understand an algebraic concept and fails a test; however, the student works hard and finally understands the concept that a month ago he/she did not understand. Because the focus is on the grade and not the learning, this “F” impacts the student’s final grade even though the student may now have mastered this algebraic concept.
  • Students stretch themselves to do something that is challenging without fear that “failing” will impact their grade long-term. Hence, the focus is on the learning.
  • Mastery (learning something or getting good at something) is consistent with real world and lifelong learning. This approach causes teachers to think about what they are doing and why they are doing it (i.e. not wasting students’ time with low level or busy work)