CO – Stands for Central Office.
MAPs – Measures of Academic Progress is a computerized adaptive assessment that tests differently, allowing teachers to see children as individuals. Each child has her own base of knowledge, with her own “starting point.” The MAP test presents students with engaging, age- appropriate content. As the student responds to questions, the test responds to the student, increasing or decreasing the difficulty level. The result is a rewarding experience for the student, and a wealth of detailed information for teachers, parents, and administrators.
PALS – The Phonological Awareness Literacy Screening is the state-provided screening tool for Virginia’s Early Intervention Reading Initiative (EIRI). The purpose of the EIRI is to reduce the number of children with reading problems by detecting those problems early and providing research-based, small-group intervention. By screening K-3 students with PALS, participating school divisions identify struggling readers and receive incentive funds for intervention. All students not meeting the Entry Level benchmark for their grade level must receive intervention services in addition to their regular classroom instruction. Virginia is unique in providing funding to school divisions for intervention based on a statewide literacy screening.
PBL – Project Based Learning – something we do a lot of in Goochland.
PBA’s – Performance Based Assessments – these seek to replace year end, high stakes tests like the SOLs. Instead of a multiple choice tests, PBA’s use rubrics (a guide listing specific criteria for grading or scoring projects) to give student feedback.
Powerschool – Powerschool is an online program that Goochland uses for reporting grades. Setup instructions are usually distributed at the beginning of the school year. Please contact the school if you do not have this information. Signing up requires that you have information specific to your child.
RTI – Response to Intervention Tiered Intervention Program. In our school we use flexible to target most struggling learners while also ensuring enrichment opportunities for students working on or above grade level. The reading specialist will consult with teachers to enhance Tier I (universal/core) instruction. The GIST facilitator, reading specialist, and principal consults with teachers to assist with identifying target skills, strategies, and interventions for Tier II reading groups. The reading specialist and special education teachers provide most intensive, Tier III interventions.
Schoology – We use Schoology for online learning and parent communication for grades 3, 4, and 5 at Randolph. The tool allows us to share information and interact in a password protected space. Teachers will help their students get set up in their classroom area. At the beginning of the year (or when you request information from your teacher) we will provide you with the specific code you need to connect to your student(s) classroom(s).
Seesaw – This software application is on student devices in Kindergarten, 1st and 2nd grade. It allows students and teachers to share work with one another. Teachers then push some of the student creations to the parent app. Make sure you get the sign-up code from your child’s teacher.
SOLs – Standards of Learning
