Curriculum and Instruction

Reed Union School District offers a balanced and engaging instructional program from PreK-8th Grade. All students benefit from professional educators trained for innovative and customized instructional practices that create engaging learning environments where students thrive. Educational Services supports a continuum of educational elements and professional methodologies that keep our District up-to-date with the most current industry standards. Education Services oversees and supports District-adopted:

Core Curriculum
Instructional Practices
Performance Assessments
Professional Learning

Coordinator of Educational Services

Nicole Trickett
(415) 381-1112, 4005

Curricular Program Overview

The Board of Trustees adopts all textbooks by using the state-approved list and requirements. A committee of teachers and administrators review materials from the state-adopted list at the Marin County Office of Education. Materials to be piloted by classroom teachers are selected and used in the classroom for evaluation purposes. A formal recommendation is made to the Board on which materials to adopt. The Reed Union School District Board of Trustees ensures all students have access to their own textbooks and instructional materials to use in class, and at home when appropriate.

All students in music and art classes have access to appropriate instructional materials. Del Mar Middle School offers the following visual and performing arts classes: drama, instrumental band, and art. All content areas in PreK-8 also integrate online electronic resources into the instructional program from a variety of publishers.

Our comprehensive school programs are supported by the General Fund (state and federal), local funding from a parcel tax, The Foundation for Reed Schools and the Parent Teacher Association (PTA). Approximately 90% of funding in RUSD is from local revenues. Programs supported by these funds include:

• Core subject-area instruction

• PreK-8 art, music and P.E. programs

• Foreign language in grades PreK-8

• Elementary school drama productions

• 1:1 iPad programs in grades PreK-8

• Learning Centers

• Reading and math intervention programs

• Elementary and middle school library programs

• Comprehensive professional development for all employees in equity and inclusion, and content area support of teachers and instructional aides

• Supplementary instructional materials for all students

Topics of Interest

Adopted Curriculum

Statewide Assessments

Statewide assessments (i.e., California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress [CAASPP] System includes the Smarter Balanced Summative Assessments for students in the general education population and the California Alternate Assessments [CAAs] for English language arts/literacy [ELA] and mathematics given in grades three through eight and grade eleven. Only eligible students may participate in the administration of the CAAs. CAAs items are aligned with alternate achievement standards, which are linked with the Com-mon Core State Standards [CCSS] for students with the most significant cognitive disabilities). Families receive student scores following the close of the school year and may view RUSD's performance on statewide assessments on the California School Dashboard.

The CAASPP System encompasses the following assessments and student participation requirements:

1. Smarter Balanced Summative Assessments and CAAs for ELA in grades three through eight and grade eleven.

2. Smarter Balanced Summative Assessments and CAAs for mathematics in grades three through eight and grade eleven.

3. California Science Test (CAST) and CAAs for Science in grades five, eight, and once in high school (i.e., grade 10, 11 or 12).

CAASPP FAQ

Funded Programs

Mathematics

Math

RUSD provides a comprehensive math program overview at the RUSD Math resource page. The webpage provides school-specific and math at home information.

Eureka Math

Reed and Bel Aire are launching the year with Eureka Math!

"Eureka Math connects math to the real world in ways that take the fear out of math and build student confidence—while helping students achieve true understanding lesson by lesson and year after year." -Great Minds website.

To learn more about Eureka Math, visit the Parent Support section of their website.

Illustrative Mathematics (IM)

At Del Mar we are using Illustrative Mathematics (IM) by Open Up Resources as our core math curriculum this year.

"It's a new era for middle school mathematics. Discover a curriculum that elevates mathematics instruction and sparks enjoyment of mathematics for students in a whole new way. Illustrative Mathematics 6–8 Math is a problem-based core mathematics curriculum for grades 6–8 that develops students' mathematical thinking skills through questioning, discussion, and real-world contexts and connections.

With state standards at its foundation, Illustrative Mathematics 6–8 Math supports learning and achievement for all students with built-in differentiation for English language learners, accelerated learners, and those below benchmark. It also fosters learning at home with comprehensive resources for families.

It's a mathematics curriculum for the 21st century—a curriculum that will prepare students to solve problems, reason, communicate, and think critically in the classroom and beyond.." -IM's website.

Learn more about Illustrative Mathematics 6–8 Math by visiting their website.

RUSD Math Resources Webpage

RUSD MATH TASK FORCE PLAN

ELA

Benchmark Literacy is a comprehensive K-6 reading program for districts that want a true balanced literacy approach to meeting the Common Core Standards in English or Spanish. Benchmark Literacy addresses the needs of above-, on-, and below-level readers as well as English language learners and special needs students.

Teachers implement Readers and Writers Workshops across District classrooms in a comprehensive and integrated model that involves both explicit skill development and critical thinking that promotes creativity and personal growth for students. RUSD teachers provide a balanced approach to ELA through direct instruction with practice for foundational skill building and flexible models with an integrated approach to literacy that is developmentally appropriate for students.

Benchmark Literacy Website

Instructional Initiatives

Proposition 28

On November 8, 2022, California voters approved Proposition 28: The Arts and Music in Schools (AMS) Funding Guarantee and Accountability Act. The measure required the state to establish a new, ongoing program supporting arts instruction in schools beginning in 2023–24.

RUSD's Annual Report for Fiscal Year 2023/2024 associated with Proposition 28 may be referenced HERE.

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