LEARNING

Dear Parents, Guardians and Community Members,

Throughout the grade levels students engage in a sequence of learning experiences built on learning standards in core academic, specials and elective areas. Frederic utilizes Common Cores Standards in English Language Arts and Mathematics. Standards in other academic areas come from state and national organizations as well as locally established standards for example, keyboarding. The learning experiences in our classrooms are based on academic standards previously adopted by the State of Wisconsin. 

As of the start of the 2019-20 school year, the Board of Education for the Frederic School District has adopted the standards for our District, and will continue to do so on an annual basis.  

English Language Arts - The State of Wisconsin adopted the Common Core State Standards in June of 2010. The Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts (ELA) articulate rigorous grade-level expectations in the areas of reading, writing, speaking, listening to prepare all students to be college and career ready.  Instruction in the Frederic School District during the school year will be based on continued use of the Common Core State Standards in the English Language Arts.

Mathematics - The State of Wisconsin adopted the Common Core State Standards in June of 2010. The Common Core State Standards for Mathematics articulate rigorous grade-level expectations in mathematics to prepare all students to be college and career ready. Instruction in the Frederic School District during the school year will be based on continued use of the Common Core State Standards in the Mathematics.

Science - The State of Wisconsin has continued to use the Wisconsin Model Academic Standards for Science Instruction to guide instruction in the subject of Science. Content and performance standards are identified for grades 4, 8, & 10.

Instruction in the Frederic School District during the school year will be based on continued use of the Wisconsin Model Academic Standards for Science.

Geography - The State of Wisconsin has continued to use the Wisconsin Model Academic Standards for Social Studies Instruction to guide instruction in the subject of Geography. Content and performance standards are identified for grades 4, 8, & 10. Instruction in the Frederic School District during the school year will be based on continued use of the Wisconsin Model Academic Standards for Social Studies Instruction for Geography.

History - The State of Wisconsin has continued to use the Wisconsin Model Academic Standards for Social Studies Instruction to guide instruction in the subject of history.  These standards are broken down into content and performance standards. Historical Eras and themes are woven throughout the learning experiences from grades K-12. Instruction in the Frederic School District during the school year will be based on continued use of the Wisconsin Model Academic Standards for Social Studies Instruction for history.

INSTRUCTION

Wisconsin's Guiding Principles for Teaching & Learning

FROM THE DPI WEBSITE

Wisconsin’s Guiding Principles for Teaching and Learning inform the design and implementation of all academic standards. All educational initiatives are guided and impacted by important and often unstated attitudes or principles for teaching and learning. The Guiding Principles for Teaching and Learning emerge from research and provide the touchstone for practices that truly affect the vision of every child a graduate prepared for college and career. The principles inform what happens in the classroom, the implementation and evaluation of programs, and remind us of our own expectations for students.

Wisconsin’s Guiding Principles for Teaching and Learning
For each Guiding Principle, DPI has created a research brief that highlights relevant research and resources that support the underlying premises of that principle. There are also probing questions for PLC discussion included. These briefs are also available as an appendix document in the English language arts, Mathematics and Literacy in All Subjects Common Core State Standards documents.

1.  Every student has the right to learn.
It is our collective responsibility as an education community to make certain each child receives a high-quality, challenging education designed to maximize potential, an education that reflects and stretches his or her abilities and interests. This belief in the right of every child to learn forms the basis of equitable teaching and learning. The five principles that follow cannot exist without this commitment guiding our work.

2.  Instruction must be rigorous and relevant.
To understand the world in which we live, there are certain things we all must learn. Each school subject is made up of a core of essential knowledge that is deep, rich, and vital. Every student, regardless of age or ability, must be taught this essential knowledge. What students learn is fundamentally connected to how they learn, and successful instruction blends the content of a discipline with processes of an engaging learning environment that changes to meet the dynamic needs of all students.

3.  Purposeful assessment drives instruction and affects learning.
Assessment is an integral part of teaching and learning. Purposeful assessment practices help teachers and students understand where they have been, where they are, and where they might go next. No one assessment can provide sufficient information to plan teaching and learning. Using different types of assessments as part of instruction results in useful information about student understanding and progress. Educators should use this information to guide their own practice and in partnership with students and their families to reflect on learning and set future goals.

4.  Learning is a collaborative responsibility.
Teaching and learning are both collaborative processes. Collaboration benefits teaching and learning when it occurs on several levels: when students, teachers, family members, and the community collectively prioritize education and engage in activities that support local schools, educators, and students; when educators collaborate with their colleagues to support innovative classroom practices and set high expectations for themselves and their students; and when students are given opportunities to work together toward academic goals in ways that enhance learning.

5.  Students bring strengths and experiences to learning.
Every student learns. Although no two students come to school with the same culture, learning strengths, background knowledge, or experiences, and no two students learn in exactly the same way, every student’s unique personal history enriches classrooms, schools, and the community. This diversity is our greatest education asset.

6.  Responsive environments engage learners.
Meaningful learning happens in environments where creativity, awareness, inquiry, and critical thinking are part of instruction. Responsive learning environments adapt to the individual needs of each student and encourage learning by promoting collaboration rather than isolation of learners. Learning environments, whether classrooms, schools, or other systems, should be structured to promote engaged teaching and learning.

ASSESSMENTS

Frederic Schools Assessment Information

Below you will find information on Frederic Schools WI state assessments:

Elementary:

• 3rd – 5th grade take the Wisconsin Forward exam for English, Language Arts and Math 
• 4K – 2nd grade STAR testing
• 4th grade take the Wisconsin Forward exam for Science and Social Studies

Elementary tests are done 3 times per school year to see where the students are at, develop/switch groups and goals for students, develop our leveled groups in reading and math. Our main universal screener is STAR reading and math.  We also use AIMS testing for a second data point to measure.

6-12:

• 6th - 8th grade take the Wisconsin Forward exam for English, Language Arts, and Math.
• 8th grade will take the Wisconsin Forward for Science and Social Studies.
• 10th grade takes the Wisconsin Forward exam for Social Studies.
• 9th & 10th grade take the ACT ASPIRE - which is a prep test for the ACT - accesses for college readiness.
• 11th - Advanced Placement Testing in May.

6th – 11th grades use Star Assessments - This data is used to indicate student’s current level of performance in math and reading and is one of the identifiers for intervention. In Middle School and High School this data is taken by all students in the fall and the spring and students receiving intervention take a shorten version to check for progress in the winter.  

Advanced Placement Exams are taken in May by students enrolled in AP coursework.

PSAT is optional and offered to 11th (and 10th) grade students in October each year. Results from this test are used to identify National Merit Scholars. 

National ACT Tests are offered at Frederic 6-12 School in October and June each year. Students must register at www.act.org to take these exams.

Why Do We Test?

Identify strengths and weaknesses for each student and how we can help them succeed.  STAR data is also used by teachers to help develop their SLO (Student Learning Outcome) goals.

Assessment is a key part of instruction, as it determines whether or not the goals of education are being met. Assessment affects decisions about placement, advancement, instructional needs and curriculum.