Local News

Omak SD Moving Ahead with Common Core Standards

Mar 02, 2014

The Omak School District announced Friday that it is moving ahead with implementing the Common Core State Standards. Superintendent Dr. Erik Swanson said “These new academic standards raise expectations for students as well as requiring changes in approaches to teaching.” The Omak School Board voted unanimously at its February meeting to approve a two and a half year planning and professional development project to implement these state mandated standards. Omak School District is partnering with the International Center for Leadership in Education to do the work.

Swanson said the project will provide job-embedded coaching for teachers, leaders, and administrators to develop a culture of high expectations. This will be accomplished working directly with school staff and community members to build leadership and instructional capacity that will support and sustain rigorous and relevant instruction. Swanson said the work will also foster deep understanding of Common Core State Standards and the coming Smarter Balanced Assessments and provide instructional coaching to improve teacher effectiveness.

Dates and further details for staff and community involvement will be announced in the near future as the final planning progresses. Swanson said work with the District leadership and school leadership teams will begin shortly after Spring Break.

More information on the project will be available on the District’s website at www.omaksd.wednet.edu.