PSD’s continuing work on developing Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) for academics, behavior, and social-emotional learning brings a renewed focus on effective Tier I instruction to help ALL students meet or exceed grade-level standards.

In the spring of 2020, the Department of Learning & Innovation worked in collaboration with teachers to identify Essential Standards for many courses beginning with the 2020-2021 school year. Essential Standards represent the minimum learning expectations for all students. These learning standards should be prioritized but not necessarily represent the only learning for students. In addition, the team outlined a process for teacher teams to identify Essential Standards in other courses.

With the move to remote learning in the fall of the 2020-2021 school year, these Essential Standards also need to be tied to specific terms. The Essential Standards are highlighted to indicate the term in which students are expected to learn the content.