Response to Intervention (RTI) -- Response to Intervention (RTI) is a plan to enable early identification and intervention for struggling students. RTI begins with an analysis of assessment data to identify students in need of instructional support. It then utilizes a multi-tiered framework targeting struggling students with classroom-based interventions at the first level, then moving to interventions of greater intensity and/or duration as indicated by ongoing assessment data.

As a preliminary step to implementing an RTI framework at the secondary level in Marple Newtown, seventeen staff members are training as trainers with the Penn Literacy Network in ways to use instructional strategies to increase student engagement and learning in the regular classroom. These trained personnel are then providing turn-around training to colleagues on staff development days so that all members of the Marple Newtown secondary instructional staff have a common repertoire of teaching strategies and a common language of instruction to inform their classroom practice.

Revision of the District Writing Plan -- The District Writing Plan is now available under “Publications” in its newly revised form. Committee members met throughout the 2008-2009 school year to enhance the Writing Plan with increased content area applications, revised K-12 frameworks, a better glossary of writing terms, and an expanded bibliography of books related to writing and writing instruction. Check it out!

Induction Program -- The Teacher Induction Program consists of a series of planned activities to provide teachers and staff new to the profession and/or our district with a working knowledge of our school district policies, procedures, programs of study, organizational structures and curricular expectations.  The Director of Education has prepared a resource guide for these new employees and their mentors as they work through the first year together.

The Teacher Induction program is supported by both principals and the curriculum supervisors. The eight session course is tailored through a needs assessment survey  to meet the specific needs of the current new teachers.  The sessions focus on topics such as district and community resources, technology, classroom management, specially designed instruction and planning.  Annette Breaux’s book, Seven Simple Secrets, will be used as a foundation for discussion of best practices across all content areas.  Communication, collaboration and feedback are core elements of the Induction Program.

Curriculum Office Documents & Resources:

Strategic Planning:

• Academic Standards and Assessment
• Professional Development Action Plan
• Teacher Induction Plan
• Student Services
• Technology
• Special Education

District Writing Plan

Curriculum Guides:

• Elementary
• Middle School
• High School

Assessment & Grade Reporting

Curriculum Cycle