Director of Instruction: Thomas Steward

Secretary: Ann Nugent

Over the past few years the Sparta Area School District has undertaken initiatives that directly impact teaching and learning. the initiatives were directed mainly toward English / Language Arts but have since expanded into Mathematics and Science. The district has adopted a new math series for the 2007-2008 school year titled, Math Expressions.

The district is approaching the end of the implementation period of the various components of Reading / Language Arts. The components include: Building Blocks for 4K and K, Four Block in grades 1 – 3 and Big Blocks for grades 4 - 6. In grades 6-12, Reading in the Content Area and Strategies that Work were implemented. Across the district, 6+1 Traits Writing is the adopted writing process, as well as the Big 6 Research process. READ 180 is used predominantly at the intermediate through high school levels to boost students with reading concerns. The district receives additional support from Title I for targeted instruction and assistance through special education for selected instruction. The district has also invested in two online learning formats, Plato and Nova Net. 

In the spring of the 2005 – 2006 Science and Mathematics began to revise their curriculum at the K-5 grade levels with a process call "Understanding by Design." This system begins with the assessment first and the lessons second. In other words we know what we want to assess and how we are going to assess it, now we have to determine the best way to teach the information so the students will exhibit the understanding and growth we are looking for.

As a part of our ongoing process of data driven decision making the district has adopted the MAP assessment. MAP stands for Measure of Academic Progress. All students in grades 2 – 10 are assessed in Reading, Math and Science. They are assessed two times per year. Teachers, students and parents will get feedback on individual student progress within 24 hours after the assessment is complete.  This assessment gives more than just right and wrong answers; it will give teachers the ability to see strengths and weakness and how to address students of all learning levels. The district uses a shared management approach regarding change and implementation of curriculum throughout the school district. All professional staff must participate on at least one of the district's 19 curriculum committees. These committees are the first step in moving courses, material adoptions and/or any other changes affecting curriculum forward. 

With PI 34 now in place, the Instructional Services Department is a conduit for teachers and administrators with the Department of Public Instruction working on their "Professional Development Plans" (PDP). Newly licensed teachers; pupil service personnel and/or administrators must complete the PDP process in order to move from the initial licensing stage to that of a "professional license."

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