Definition of Terms Graduation Standard: Graduation standards are concise and clearly articulated descriptions of what students should know and be able to do upon completion of their academic program at E.O. Smith High School. These standards identify overall learning goals, and provide a framework for students to gain the knowledge and skills they will need to succeed in every area of adult life. Graduation Standard Narrative: Narratives describe the standard. They define and state the importance of the graduation standard, and identify main components and possible applications of the standard. Connections are made to st
the Common Core State Standards (CCSS), state and national content area standards, and other 21​
century skills. Different components of these graduation standards will be used to develop content area standards. Content Area Graduation Standard: Content area graduation standards are drawn from​
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Common Core State Standards (CCSS)​
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and​
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state and national content area standards. Content area graduation standards are assessed using a body of evidence collected over time. Proficiency levels for content area standards are measured by performance assessments. Performance Assessment: Performance assessments are the major component parts of a content area graduation standard. Performance assessments help align curriculum and instruction. They are designed to measure how well a student transfers knowledge and applies complex skills. Common performance assessments (formative and summative) are created by PLC/departments to provide reliability to the students score. They are used to determine students’ level of performance on the content area standard being measured. Performance Assessment Rubrics: Performance assessment rubrics state specific student skills or competencies related to the performance assessments. These rubrics identify what students should know or be able to do to demonstrate proficiency on the standard being measured. Rubrics are developed by PLC/departments and are intended to provide reliability to the students score. *Language adapted from the Great Schools Partnership ​
Proficiency­based Learning Simplified Graduation Standards and Performance Indicators​
and the ​
Center for Collaborative Education Quality Performance Assessment Guide. School­Wide Cross­Curricular Graduation Standards and Narratives Graduation Standard # 1 ​
Students at E. O. Smith High School will communicate clearly and effectively. Narrative ​
The ability to communicate clearly and effectively is a cornerstone of learning in the classroom, co­curricular activities, and informal settings. Communication is the ability to share knowledge, ideas, experiences, and feelings with others in an organized, purposeful, and precise manner. At E. O. Smith High School the ability to communicate clearly and effectively is demonstrated through different processes that involve reading and writing, speaking and listening, and other creative efforts in the visual and performing arts. The ability to communicate is enhanced by technology and digital media, and by content­specific skills and conventions. It is a building block of learning across the curriculum and a foundation for college and career readiness. Graduation Standard #2​
Students at E. O. Smith will become proficient with and apply the standards for mathematical practice. Narrative​
The ability to use​
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mathematical practice​
is essential in our increasingly technological society. The standards for mathematical practice include problem solving, quantitative reasoning, the use of mathematical tools, and pattern recognition. At E.O. Smith High School the use of mathematical practice is demonstrated through making sense of problems and persevering in solving them, reasoning abstractly and quantitatively, constructing viable arguments and critiquing the reasoning of others, modeling with mathematics, and identifying structure and patterns. The standards of mathematical practice provide a foundation for understanding and solving social, technical and scientific issues. Graduation Standard # 3 ​
Students at E. O. Smith High School will apply creative and practical approaches to solving problems. Narrative​
The ability to problem solve supports achievement in many dimensions of college and career readiness and instills confidence to participate in civic life at the local, national, and global levels. Problem solving involves the ability to identify a problem and its components, collect and analyze relevant data, and use appropriate strategies to form and evaluate solutions. At E. O. Smith High School the ability to problem solve is demonstrated through a variety of processes including mathematical reasoning; scientific, historical, and social inquiry; creative expression; and occupational and wellness experiences. Problem solving skills are enhanced by technology and digital media, and by content­specific skills and conventions. Problem solving abilities promote learning by cultivating innovative and independent thought, creativity, and perseverance in pursuit of knowledge. Graduation Standard # 4​
Students at E.O. Smith will demonstrate skills and habits conducive to self­directed and life­long learning. Narrative​
The ability to become self­directed and life­long learners, and enact positive social change to contribute to our democratic society is enhanced by a willingness to learn through experience, inquiry, and personal goal setting. At E. O. Smith High School students develop positive habits through participation in a variety of independent and collaborative learning situations that encourage curiosity, initiative and perseverance, personal responsibility and community involvement, and free expression. Also important are actions and activities that support ethical behaviors in school, work, and social settings, as well as respect for different peoples. These skills and habits are essential to students as they mature into self and globally aware and productive adults.