Programs and Services
Our mission is to educate every student to be successful in a dynamic global environment. In this section of the Community Report, you will find information about the programs and services we provide at our schools to reach all levels of learners so they can achieve this potential.
Our high-quality teachers are the foundation of all of our programs and services. Research shows that a good teacher is five times more influential than any other education factor on student achievement. Therefore, one of the most effective tools we have to reach students who are struggling, excelling, or somewhere in between is teacher professional development.
For the 2011-2012 school year, the Issaquah School District is focused on professional development as a top priority. While educators have the opportunity to train in many in-District technology, cultural, National Board Certification, and differentiated-instruction workshops and seminars, the entire certificated staff is focusing together on researched-based powerful teaching strategies. This effort is being spearheaded by the administrative leadership team in partnership with the Baker Evaluation Research Consulting (BERC) Group. Based on more than 15,000 classroom observations across the country spanning more than a decade, BERC leaders have identified the basic elements of instructional practices that lead to deep student learning. They then developed a specific protocol to help teachers observe, reflect on, and incorporate these practices into their own classroom.
In 2009-2010, principals and groups of teacher leaders at each school trained in the protocol. The initiative kicked off for every teacher during a professional development workshop in August 2010. This year, the initiative is particularly focused on thinking skills in other words, helping teachers and students understand and articulate the thought process behind deep and meaningful learning. Look for a thinking-skills poster in every classroom as a visual reminder of the initiative.