Curriculum and Instruction

The vision of the Elizabeth Department of Curriculum and Instruction, as demonstrated by the ESD Instructional Roadmap is to establish a systemic, sustainable, and shared vision of instruction anchored in clearly defined best practices, curriculum aligned to needs identified through root cause analysis, and personalized instruction based on formative assessments of mastery. 

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Guiding our work implementing the vision for instruction in Elizabeth School District is the work of Dr. Zach Groshell from Education Rickshaw with a intentional focus on Direct Explicit Instruction.  We also utilize our Curriculum Maps, and Assessments of Learning. 

Clarity of Language - It is important to ensure there is clarity and a common understanding of important aspects of this work. Specifically, the difference between "Standards" and "Curriculum." As the Colorado Department of Education outlines (Click for Standards vs Curriculum Outline):

• Standards are broad learning goals articulating what students should know, understand, and be able to do over a given time. 
• A curriculum is an organized plan of instruction comprised of a sequence of instructional units that engages students in mastering the standards. Resources such as instructional materials and textbooks are supports for the curriculum. 

Colorado Academic Standards

The Colorado Academic Standards are intended to be a reflection of instructional priorities valued by Coloradans and provide a road map to help ensure students are successful in college, careers, and life. However, it is the district's analysis of student educational needs as demonstrated in performance assessments, along with the interpretation of the academic standards that are outlined in district-generated curriculum maps that facilitate teaching through clearly defined units of instruction. 

2020 Colorado Academic Standards Fact Sheet

2020 Colorado Academic Standards Online Database