Curriculum Overview
District 58 aims to provide students with comprehensive learning opportunities to help each child learn and grow. The District designs learning experiences to meet children at their instructional level and to help children progress at a rate that supports and challenges them to reach high standards of achievement.
Areas of Study
The curriculum is divided into a variety of instructional content areas. District 58 supports student learning that promotes both high achievement and high growth. As such, learning experiences are not necessarily developed by grade level, but rather through the content area itself, recognizing that while some children are working toward grade level other children are working beyond grade level. District 58 teachers design lessons to meet each of these children and support their development. View District 58’s areas of study.
Instructional Strategies
District 58 encourages teachers to use a variety of instructional strategies to help students learn and grow. We recognize that each student has different learning preferences, strengths and growth areas. As such, we encourage our teachers to get to know each of our learners and identify ways to support them on their learning journey. Learn more about instructional strategies in District 58.
Methods of Assessment
District 58 uses assessments for a variety of purposes. Assessments are frequently used in a formative manner, one which is intended to support ongoing learning by the student. These assessments can take the form of standardized tests such as the Northwest Evaluation Association (NWEA) Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) assessment. They can also be publisher/teacher created, such as a chapter 2 math test from Math in Focus, project, exit slip or quiz.
Some assessments are also used in a summative manner, one which is intended to measure what a child has learned. Summative assessments are frequently used to rank children’s performance, such as the Illinois Assessment of Readiness or determine eligibility for entrance into a program, such as the District 58 Gifted Program.
District 58 believes that teachers should use a variety of assessments to identify students’ learning needs, define areas of instructional focus, and determine a student’s growth through the learning experience. Learn more about District 58 assessments.
Ways Learning is Reported
It is important that students and parents have access to consistent accurate information regarding a child’s present level of achievement. District 58 uses a standards-based report card to identify areas of progress that a child is demonstrating consistent with the Illinois Learning Standards and Common Core State Standards. In addition to this report card, the District also shares student progress on standardized assessment such as the Illinois Assessment of Readiness, Northwest Evaluation Association (NWEA) Measurement of Academic Progress (MAP), and AIMSweb Assessment for eligible students. These assessments allow students and parents to identify children’s progress based upon district, state, and national standards and comparison groups. Learn more about District 58 report cards, including sample report cards. Learn more about District 58’s reporting methods.