21st Century Learners
An individual prepared with skills needed to contribute to the global workforce.

Affinity Diagram
A tool used to gather and sort information as part of the decision-making process.

Analytical Assessment
A problem solving assessment.
Example: prompts, story problems

Anchor Paper
An example of typical work at each level.

Assessment
A comprehensive check of learning.
Example: Analytical, Skill-Based, Contextual, Formative, Summative

AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination)
A program that targets students in the academic middle who have a desire to attend college.

Backwards Planning
A process of planning instruction with the end result in mind.
Example:  assessment is created first and all planning for instruction is done from that point.

Balanced Instruction Model
Best teaching practices that actively engage learners through direct instruction, practical application, simulation and real-life connections.

Balanced Scorecard
An established set of progressive benchmarks.

Benchmark
Measurement aligned to a specific standard in order to compare one's own process or product to it.

Capacity Matrix
A tool for students to self-monitor their progress to reach goals, standards, or benchmarks.

Code of Conduct
A set of values derived from a shared vision that guides behaviors.

Collegiality
How stakeholders work together and share ideas in order to achieve the shared vision.

Content Area
The ten areas of study:  Language Arts, Math, Technology, Social Studies, Science, Personal/Social, Arts, Music, World Languages, PE/Health

Continuous Improvement
Formal cycle of plan, do, check, adjust designed to assess current practice and results to ensure progression toward goals.

Contextual Assessment
Assessment that involves a real life connection.

CSAP (Colorado Student Assessment Program)
State standardized assessment for reading, writing, math, and science.

ELL (English Language Learners
A program to support students in English language acquisition.

Essential Questions
Higher level questions that focus thinking about a lesson or unit.

Flow Chart
A tool that shows the work path or sequence of activities that comprise a process.  It is used to obtain clarity concerning process flow and to communicate the process to others.

Formative Assessment
On-going checks to monitor student progress and guide instruction.

Goal Setting
Creating a plan to achieve a desired outcome.

Heterogeneous Grouping
Diverse learners working together.

Homogenous Grouping
Students with similar needs grouped together.

IEP- (Individualized Education Program/Plan)
A federally mandated document given to every student with a qualifying and documented disability.

ILP- (Individual Literacy Plan)
State mandated document to set goals and monitor students reading below grade level.

Intervention
Additional resources used to support individual students growth or needs.

Learning Targets
The stated goal and the steps needed to meet it
A statement of what is being learned, why it is important and how learners are going to achieve that learning.

Levels
The division of skills and standards introduced in a developmentally appropriate order.

Measurement Topic
The specific skills within a strand.
Math: Algebra: Functions and Equations

NWEA- (Northwest Evaluation Association)
Computerized Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) Test given in math, reading, and science.

OSAT (Organizational Self Assessment Tool)
A tool to assess Leadership, Shared Vision, Standards-based design, and Continuous Improvement used at the district, school, and classroom level.

Parking Lot
A tool for feedback that includes four sections:+ plus, ˆ† delta, ? Questions, and Ideas.

(Delta) The symbol for feedback asking for change.	The symbol for positive feedback
Questions that arise	New learning and ah-has

PDCA (Plan/Do/Check/Adjust)
A goal setting tool that uses a four-step cycle for continuous improvement of a system.

Performance Task
Learning activities that are driven by standards and require application of knowledge and skills. They are assessed by specific criteria that mirror the task and the standards.
Example: Performance-Based Assessment

Portfolio
A collection of work produced by learners that demonstrates learning toward goals and standards.

PLP (Personal Learning Plan)
Student-driven goal setting process, also called the PDCA that is written and used by student, teachers and parents. Goals are tied to local standards aligned to the report card.

Proficient
Demonstrate mastery of a benchmark or standard. 

RISC (Reinventing Schools Coalition)

Rubric
A scoring tool that lists the content and criteria for a piece of work and gradation of a quality from excellent to poor (DeLorenzo)

SBS (Standards-Based System)
An educational model that combines a shared vision, curriculum developed around standards, effective instruction, multiple assessments, and record-keeping/reporting.  Students are placed at developmentally appropriate content levels. Progression of levels is based on mastery, not time.  Mastery is the constant; time is the variable.

Shared Vision
A commonly held set of beliefs or goals created using input from all stakeholders.

District 50 Shared Vision

• ensures student's skills and knowledge meet or exceed the requirements of a successful 21st Century citizen.
• honors and embraces the diversity of its school community.
• nurtures the love of learning and inquiry with every District 50 student.
• serves as a lighthouse district in the state of Colorado for students' academic achievement and life-long success.

Skills-based Assessment
An application that allows students to demonstrate knowledge and skills needed to meet a standard

S.M.A.R.T. goals
Goals with the following criteria:
Specific
Measurable
Attainable
Realistic
Timely

Stakeholder
Any member who is invested in the organization.

Standards
Clearly stated and rigorous descriptions of what students should know and be able to do.

Strand
Skill and knowledge sets within a content area.
Math: Algebra

Summative Assessment
An assessment given to summarize learning

Systematic
The approaches that are well-ordered, repeatable and use data information so learning is possible.

Systemic
A process that involving all stakeholders.

Thematic Unit
A unit of study that integrates skills across content areas.
Example: Dinosaurs Thematic Unit might include
Research a specific dragon

Unpacking standards
A process used with learners to put standards or benchmarks into learner friendly language.