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THE JC4 INITIATIVE PROFILE
What Participants are Saying . . .
About ELA
"Amazing collaboration and team effort. So much work getting accomplished." - ELA Group
"Such an amazing group of teachers ~ all willing to share amazing ideas!" - ELA Group"We are a part of a movement that has the ability to create change in our county. We developed a wonderful bond with our grade level team and shared so many useful things. We are a part of a movement that has the ability to create change in our county."About Math
"The work time was great! It was nice to have time to research and find resources we can actually use!""Instructors were great and table talks were amazing.""I was somewhat uncertain when we first started and wondered how [the facilitators] were going to get us on the same page. You did it! As we progressed, I noticed a serious shift in thinking. Words like “I can’t”, “they can’t”, and “I don’t have time for that” disappeared from our dialog. You guys nurtured a willingness to try by educating and empowering everyone with resources. Thank you! I am excited to start the new year and better my math instruction."The JC4 Philosophy - Curriculum is more than a "product"!
The Jackson County Core Curriculum Collaborative (JC4) is one critical, complex component of a comprehensive Multi-tiered System of Supports (MTSS). Our JC4 definition of curriculum is the totality of student experiences that occur in the educational process (not just a textbook or bought product). Curriculum includes but is not limited to the interactions and integration of learning targets, instruction, assessment systems, data processes, non-instructional practices, resources (including textbooks), class dynamics and demographic contexts. Our goal through the JC4 initiative is to enact effective, equitable instruction for all students. This kind of instruction starts with establishing and implementing the learning targets. Effective, equitable instruction includes teachers making intentional decisions about which general and content specific instructional strategies per students needs, classroom/school/district context and teacher knowledge. Effective, equitable instruction also includes understanding the ramifications of these critical decisions. For example, if a critical learning target is not taught a student (or all the students in that class) would be at an inequitable disadvantage due to a teacher’s decision. This complex, large-scale, systems change work will take time and is difficult, but worth doing.
The JC4 Guiding Principles:
JC4 is guided by the following principles:
- The superintendents, JCISD, administrators and teachers of Jackson County are collectively responsible for providing students a robust, rigorous, viable curriculum inclusive of effective, equitable instruction.
- Effective support for superintendents, administrators and teachers includes ongoing, differentiated and meaningful professional learning, feedback, and coaching.
- Systems change takes time and genuine investment to promote scaling up and sustainability of JC4.
JC4 History and Information
- Jackson County Core Curriculum Collaborative (JC4) was evolved from the 2016-2017 Learning Target Directive from Jackson County Superintendents and is now co-driven by the JC4 Core Team and the JSA. Last year collaborating districts paid to join the learning target work. Since the Learning Targets were not ‘delivered’ until this year, there will not be any additional cost to the district for participating this year.
- JC4 Core Team includes 2 curriculum/assessment experts, 2 math experts, 2 English Language Arts experts, 1 whole child expert and 1 special education expert. (Tovah Sheldon, Dan Luciani, Heather Holshoe, William (Bill) Montgomery, Maeghan McCormick , Jessica Bucklin, Janelle Buchler and Maureen Keene). JSA Sub-committee includes (Dan Funston, Steve Doerr, Geoff Bontrager, Cari Bushinski, Ryan Tripp, Mike Smadja, Brady Cook, Scott Leach, Ryle Kiser and Kevin Oxley).
With just a few moments, you can hear and learn more about the launch of the JC4 initiative. The screencast features Tovah Sheldon, Director of Learning Services and Instruction, and Superintendent Kevin Oxley as they speak with local Superintendents to provide an overview of the JC4.
