The Carroll Community School District (CCSD) is implementing new classroom techniques at the beginning of the 2022/23 school year as part of the district’s ongoing effort to close educational gaps caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Director of Teaching and Learning, Karinne Tharaldson, says over the last five years the district has been trending down in standardized test scores such as FAST, NWEA, and ISASP. However, she adds they are some areas they have seen positive jumps.
Tharaldson adds they are also adding science to the elementary curriculum and upping the time spent at the middle school. She says they have taken a hard look at scores over the year.
The early stages of the pandemic held kids from school, and school districts across Iowa saw educational gaps when kids returned. Tharaldson adds increasing time with students could help close some of those gaps.
She says instructional strategies are more effective, and the district is adopting some, such as the gradual release model. She adds they are not telling teachers how to instruct students this will just set a framework. Tharaldson finished by saying collaborative work with kids and teachers is effective when they can work together.
