Critical+Questions

Travis Engstrand, Rick Millican, Elaine Bartell, Liz Fagaly, Courtney Souza, Danielle Arroyo, Krystal Montalvo, Amy Amerling, James Mitchell, Jessica Merschtina
 * School Year __2010-2011__ Team Name: 9th Grade English**
 * Team Leader: Travis Engstrand**
 * Team Members**

**__Eleven Critical Questions for Team Consideration__**
 * Consider the following questions in relationship to your team and indicate the level to which the statement is descriptive of your team. Please write a __brief__ explanation to defend your ranking.**

 **1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10** **of our team. Not all of the team addressed this and act in accordance issue with our consensus** that we are working together to achieve? If yes, what are they? · 2 SMART GOALS ( http://9thgradeteam.wikispaces.com/SMART+Goals ) 2. __9___ Is each member of our team clear on the intended outcomes of our course in general, as well as the specific outcomes of each unit? · Learning Objectives and Outcomes (http://9thgradeteam.wikispaces.com/Learning+Outcomes) 3. __7___ Have we aligned the outcomes of our course to state goals and to high stake tests such as the CSTs, CAHSEE, and AP Exams? 4. __9___Have we agreed on how to best sequence the content of the course and have we established ** pacing guides ** to help students achieve the intended essential learnings? · Unit Pacing (http://9thgradeteam.wikispaces.com/Unit+1+-+Can+Truth+Change%3F) 5. __9___ Have we developed congruent formative assessments that help us identify strengths and weaknesses of individual students? · NWEA/MAP test · Achieve 3000 (pre-, interim, post-tests) · Pearson formative and summative assessments (http://9thgradeteam.wikispaces.com/Unit+1+-+Can+Truth+Change%3F) 6. __8___ Have we used the results of our common assessments to assist each other in building on strengths and addressing weaknesses as part of a process of continuous improvement designed to help students achieve at higher levels? · Have not reached this in the school year yet. · Preparation is outlined in question 5. 7. __7___ Have we agreed on the criteria we will use in judging the quality of student work in essential areas of our course, and have we practiced applying those criteria to ensure consistency? · We have proposed grading categories for each assignment. Cover sheets for assignments outline point allocations and standards for each assignment. · Grading categories need to be further addressed and agreed upon by team in reference to new experiences with the Pearson curriculum. 8. __9___ Have we developed congruent summative assessments that help us assess the strength and weaknesses of our program? · Pearson curriculum has summative assessments built in to program. 9. __10___ Have we established the proficiency level we want all students to achieve on our summative assessments? · 70%, based on proficiency level of CST. · 70% is within proficiency level of Achieve 3000 program. 10. __9__ Have we identified content and/or topics that can be eliminated so we can devote more time to essential curriculum? · Many components of past years have been eliminated in order to maintain integrity to Pearson curiculum. · Assignments within Pearson will be added and eliminated and other work may be brought in as we progress through the Pearson program. 11. __8__ Have we identified best instructional practices and how to apply these practices to our course in order to increase student achievement, including the consistent use of school-wide literacy strategies? · We have addressed ECVHS writing program needs, marking the text strategies, test-question analysis and test-taking strategies for Unit one of our Pearson text. · We will further this discussion as we progress through teh Pearson program.
 * This is not true This is true of some but Uncertain Our team has We have consensus**
 * 1)  __9__ Have we analyzed student achievement data and established quality **SMART goals**
 * Core academic curriculum is Pearson Literature, which is CA standards-based.
 * Ancillary assignments are tied to utilization through Pearson curriculum.
 * Work will materialze throughout the year and ideas with be solidified as we progress through the Pearson curriculum.