Committee says reading and math programs are progressing; outlines team meetings, pacing guides and non-evaluative learning walks

At its Sept. 17 meeting the Preston School District Curriculum Committee reported that implementation of the new reading program (year three) and the math program (year two) “is going well,” and emphasized the district’s focus on teaching with fidelity to pacing and standards.

The committee described multiple supports intended to keep instruction aligned across classes: weekly teacher team meetings that target pacing guides, tiered instruction and Smarter Balanced assessment data; pacing guides are used to make sure content is covered at roughly the same pace across teachers. The minutes also describe the start of short (5–10 minute) learning walks conducted by a four-person administrative team to take a quick pulse on classroom practice, offer compliments where appropriate and identify any global adjustments. The committee explicitly recorded that the learning walks are not evaluative, will be announced initially, and then continue as a regular practice.

The minutes do not record formal votes or detailed timelines for changes; committee members noted the practices are intended to support consistent implementation as the district pilots curriculum and grading changes. The minutes list the meeting motions for approval and adjournment as 'Grabarek/Luty' but do not include recorded vote tallies in the text.