Curriculum
The Montgomery Area School District is committed to providing a rewarding, rigorous, and relevant educational experience that provides opportunities for all students to achieve success in the workplace or post-secondary education. Courses are aligned to Pennsylvania Academic Standards and PA Assessment Anchors so all students achieve their utmost potential. Students requiring extra assistance in meeting the standards have the MAPP Remediation/Acceleration period at the end of the day to meet their needs. For those students searching for opportunities for advancement the district offers the Gifted program as well as honors classes, Advanced Placement classes in Calculus and English Literature, as well as, Dual Enrollment courses through Luzerne County Community College aand Keystone College.
Our curriculum is standards based and our staff is committed to research proven best practices in education. Results of standardized tests have shown the Montgomery Area School District to be one of the highest performing school districts in Pennsylvania. Assessments are varied and include paper and pencil tests, writing assignments and performance task assessments (projects, oral presentations, etc.), which utilize a rubric or checklist. The PSSA in Reading and Mathematics are given in grades 3-8 and 11, while students are given the Stanford Achievement Test in grades 2, 9, and 10. The PSSA in Writing is administered in 5th, 8th, & 11th grades, with the Science PSSA given in 4th , 8th & 11th Grades. All students in grades 3-11 take the 4Sight Benchmark Assessment in Reading and Math to predict the proficiency of students on the PA Academic Standards and PA Assessment Anchors. This assessment provides teachers with the tools necessary to monitor and adjust their curriculum, so students can be successful.
Teachers employ research-based strategies to increase student achievement within their classrooms. These exemplary practices include guided reading, inquiry based learning, cooperative learning, differentiated instruction, acceleration, extended thinking, distributive summarizing, and others as they are introduced. In addition, several Integrated Learning Systems, including Read Naturally, Success Maker, Study Island, and Fast Forward compliment the classroom instructional practices. Professional development is provided for the faculty and staff in order to assist them in the delivery of curriculum via In-Service Days, Act 80 Days, and conferences.
Through these efforts, the administration and staff team to provide an educational environment that is laser focused on student learning and achievement. In essence, they do “whatever it takes” to guarantee a high quality education is afforded to all students within the Montgomery Area School District.
Linda L. Gutkowski
Director of Curriculum & Instruction
570-547-1608 EXT. 113
