Curriculum: How Twin Falls School District Teachers Develop Successful Students

 

Twin Falls School District teachers have developed a comprehensive program of studies for all subjects and levels outlining what we want our students to know and be able to do. Each of these subject areas contain curriculum standards designed to increase academic achievement and better prepare students for the future. All core subject areas are aligned with local summative tests and state achievement standards and assessments.

 

Our Curriculum

Offerings include art, music, drama, foreign language, health and physical education, language arts, math, science, social studies, technology, and vocational/technical education. Career exploration is embedded into the junior high curriculum. At the high school, job shadowing and internships are offered to qualifying students while advanced placement classes are offered in English, Social Studies, math and science. The district continues to closely collaborate with the College of Southern Idaho to provide professional-technical and dual-credit classes for high school students.


We are focusing our time and energy on improving classroom instruction and student results. We believe that all students can learn at high levels, and our staff is dedicated to helping them reach this goal. At a district and building level, staff have developed strategies that will help close achievement gaps between groups of students. The plan includes incorporating specific strategies at all levels, from developing curriculum to using effective teaching strategies in the classroom, while balancing teaching and learning with professional development.
 

Testing

The results of our increased academic focus have been impressive. At all grade levels, students meet or exceed proficiency standards set by the state. Twin Falls High School students consistently outperform state and national averages on the ACT and SAT college entrance exams, while our youngest learners in grades K-3 demonstrate impressive reading abilities on the state's Idaho Reading Indicator (IRI) test.


To help district and building staff meet the increasingly demanding challenges with student accountability and increased student performance expectations, the district has joined in a partnership with The Center for Performance Assessment. The Denver-based Center is a leader in providing school administrators and teachers with tools to help all students learn and achieve at high levels. This partnership will allow staff to continue to refine the learning standards that define what we want our students to know and be able to do. While this work helps make standards more manageable and applicable to what we do, it also keep us focused on our goal that students at all levels are learning and able to demonstrate proficiency on a variety of assessments.
 

Fine Arts Curriculum

The fine arts curriculum was developed to broaden the students' overall academic program, enrich their lives, and contribute to a lifelong appreciation for music, the arts, and drama. Music education is designed as an academic discipline, a fine art, and a performance medium. It includes vocals for grades K-12, strings for grades 5-12, and orchestra and band for grades 7-12. Art education is primarily concerned with visual experiences that allow personal expression, exploration, and creativity. At the K-6 level, art education is part of classroom activities. General art is offered in grades 7-9, with advanced art offered at grade 9. Art electives, including survey of art, studio art, drawing and painting, design, and pottery are available in grades 10-12.