Curriculum Overview

Introduction

The ability of students to model appropriate and responsible behavior is essential for individual development as well as environmental safety and security. Students must have a clear understanding of the importance of academic achievement, motivation, goal setting, and career development in order to achieve their potential. Leadership qualities and negotiating strategies are necessary qualities for students to relate their learning to life experience. Once students can identify the impact of relevant academic challenges they can accept personal responsibility for the impact of their behavior and learning on others.

Guiding Principles

The guiding principles of the Easton-Redding School System encompass a developmental and collaborative curriculum whereby students will experience individual growth and achievement. "It is only with the heart that one can see rightly clearly what is essentially invisible to the eye" (Little Prince). This quote reflects the necessity for all students to develop a positive self-image, function independently, and understand the impact of their behavior on others. Effective communication skills are essential in order to provide students with coping strategies and independent thinking skills. Since character development involves respecting individual differences students and parents should have a clear understanding of school expectations and school culture to achieve a sense of school involvement and community pride.

The Curriculum

The guidance curriculum workgroup designed the curriculum around the concept of a Learning Spiral. Within the framework of the K-12 structure, concepts and skills are introduced and reinforced at specific grade levels. Students have many opportunities to demonstrate mastery of these concepts and skills within increasingly complex learning environments. The K-12 curriculum is intended to provide all students with experiences, materials, and information in four major content areas: School Success and Educational Development; and Community Pride and Involvement. While standards at all grade levels reflect attention to each area, Personal and Social Development requires the greatest degree of instruction in the elementary grades. Conversely, Career Awareness and Exploration, which includes educational planning, is emphasized to the greatest degree at the high school level.