District outlines capacity-building for personalized learning and standards-based practice

District staff presented progress on Strategic Focus 3 (Leadership for Learning) at the April 7 Jamestown Public School Board meeting, describing professional learning, pilots and next steps to build capacity for personalized learning.

Presenter described personalized learning goals as increasing relevancy and student ownership, expanding learner agency, and ensuring equitable access. Staff cited participation in North Dakota conferences and networks, state-funded opportunities that involved KnowledgeWorks and groups such as 2Revolutions, and partnerships that provide workshops and site visits. The presentation said many professional-learning opportunities were grant-supported or part of statewide initiatives.

At the elementary level, the district has implemented the Empower learning-management system to align standards over time and increase feedback to students. Middle-school staff are preparing to implement standards-based learning and some educators have engaged in professional learning to prepare for that step. At the high school, district staff are piloting ways to track nonacademic skills (called career-ready practices) in PowerSchool; career and technical education teachers have used related tracking for several years. Staff noted Tony McIntyre will present on a senior capstone project at a personalized-learning conference.

The presenter characterized the strategic goal as a ‘‘driver’’ metric—work that builds capacity rather than a single measurable outcome—and recommended continued training opportunities and attention to standards-based learning as a foundation for more personalized, community-connected projects.

Board members had no substantive objections; the board approved the strategic monitoring items after the presentation.