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Granite Falls rolls out HMH curriculum supports, expands teacher induction and completes fall benchmarks
Summary
District staff told the board the HMH secondary English language arts curriculum materials and leader training have been delivered, teachers have access to yearlong coaches, a district-based induction program for new teachers is under way, and fall benchmark assessments (i-Ready, MAP, wellness screener) are nearly complete.
Emily (teaching-and-learning staff) presented curriculum and assessment updates during the Oct. 8 Granite Falls School District board meeting.
Emily said the district convened secondary teams for ELA, math, science and social studies (grades 6–12) to work on vertical alignment. School administration received packages of HMH (the adopted ELA program) materials and leader training; teachers have begun clustered training and will receive one-on-one coaching from HMH across the year. The district emphasized that sustained support after adoption is critical to maintaining curriculum usage.
The district’s new-teacher induction program returned this year to a district-based model intended to provide local mentoring and reduce travel disruptions that challenged a regional consortium approach. Emily said the induction program uses experienced local teachers as coaches and mentors and aims to improve retention among early-career teachers.
On assessments, staff reported fall benchmarks are nearly finished: i-Ready testing is complete, MAP testing finished the day before the meeting and the district’s wellness screener is scheduled to finish at the end of the week. Granite Falls Middle School engaged in data-protocol work during building director time to analyze individual student results and personalize instruction.
The board also heard that Crossroads High School and the district’s alternative program will submit federal OSSI grant applications by month’s end; district staff said there were no state OSSI funds available this year.
No formal action was taken; the presentation was informational and part of regular superintendent reporting.
Speakers and context: Emily presented instructional changes and supports; Dr. Dana Giesland and other administrators provided context about grant activity and assessment timing.
