Teaching and Learning Services
Providing powerful strategies, data, and resources to teachers, principals, and educational assistants resulting in each student learning well is the department's mission. We accomplish our mission through direct services to students and guidance, support, and resources for educators.Our student service offerings encompass a variety of programs for students with special needs including English Language Learners (ELL), Title 1, and struggling students. These services are based upon the same foundation of curriculum, instruction, and assessment provided for all general education students. In concert with Special Education, Career and Technical Education, and at-risk partners, these offerings constitute a full continuum of student services supporting our belief that in Issaquah all children can and do learn well.
Teachers, principals and educational assistants have very challenging jobs. Teaching and Learning Services (TLS) offer resources to assist them. We research and guide the selection of district-wide, standards-based instructional materials and programs. TLS offers a variety of professional development programs to ensure that highly qualified educational professionals work with students. Content specialists work with teachers to ensure the use of best instructional practices. We provide assessment and data analysis also.
Essential Academic Learning Requirements (EALRs) for all content areas were initially developed beginning with the Basic Education Act of 1993. The EALRs describe learning standards for grades K-10 at three benchmark levels; elementary, middle, and high school. More specific Grade Level Expectations (GLEs) are being developed for each K-10 content area.
The Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction's Curriculum and Instruction webpages contain in-depth information and resources related to the Essential Academic Learning Requirements and Grade Level Expectations.
Your child's teacher teaches the district adopted HIV/AIDS and Human Sexuality curriculum each school year. To allow you an opportunity to examine the instructional materials and view the videos that may be used, there will be two public viewings of the fifth grade materials on the following dates:
- Tuesday, January 15, 2008 at 7:00 pm (Cancelled due to road conditions; rescheduled to February 5)
- Saturday, January 19, 2008 at 9:00 am at the Issaquah Valley Elementary Multi-Purpose Room
- Tuesday, February 5th at 7:00 p.m in the Administration Center Board Rooms
It is not necessary for parents to attend a public review session if they do not intend to exempt their children from HIV/AIDS instruction. However, the Washington State Omnibus AIDS law requires a parent to attend a public viewing session and review the materials before such an exemption may be requested or granted. Being familiar with the curriculum will enhance your ability to talk with your children about this serious health threat.
In recognition of the significant threat that the HIV/AIDS virus presents to the health of the people of our nation, the Washington state legislature passed the Omnibus AIDS Bill in 1988. This law directs local school district to provide yearly instruction to students in grades 5-12 about the pathology and prevention of the HIV/AIDS virus. This is the nineteenth year of such instruction.
Note: Similar information sessions for 6-12th grade parents were held in October.