Expectations & Assessment

The New York State Education Department is responsible for setting student learning expectations (standards) for what all students should know and be able to do as a result of skilled instruction. Each local school district develops curricula based on these established standards.

The East Ramapo Central School District (ERCSD) is committed to ensuring that all students are afforded equitable access to high-quality programs, services, and resources, with a targeted focus on making strategic, sustainable investments that simultaneously support students’ holistic academic and social-emotional needs.  

Our ERCSD educators work throughout the year to provide an aligned curriculum that is delivered with effective instructional practices to improve the growth and achievement of our students. The Administration supports this work through a continuous improvement process that involves curriculum, instruction, assessment, and professional development.

Assessments tell us how much knowledge and skill is being transferred to the students, and what helps us determine gaps in instruction. Assessment and curriculum are tightly linked to each other and are analyzed and modified regularly to address the needs of the students. 

Every effort of our East Ramapo Central School District educators is focused on student achievement. We collect and study assessment data and use it to adjust curriculum and/or instruction. A balanced assessment system that incorporates formative, interim, and summative student assessment data is prioritized. From such data, curriculum and instruction are constantly evaluated. ERCSD’s 2020-25 Strategic Academic Plan is the tool we use for assessing student outcomes and developing strategies for improving student achievement.

These needs are often addressed through professional development for our teachers. Training is ongoing and is offered through district-sponsored classes, BOCES workshops and other venues.

The New York State Learning Standards provide a consistent set of expectations of what students should understand and be able to achieve.  The standards are designed to be robust and relevant to the real world, reflecting the knowledge and skills our students need for success in college and careers. 

For more information about the New York State Learning Standards, please see links below. 

Parent Resource Guide for the Next Generation Learning Standards  http://www.nysed.gov/common/nysed/files/parentbrochurenextgen.pdf

NYS Next Generation Learning Standards   http://www.nysed.gov/next-generation-learning-standards

Professional development works to develop and strengthen a professional culture that fosters adult learning through a multi-pronged approach. Professional learning opportunities are aligned to the district, state, and federal expectations, namely the:

• East Ramapo Central School District’s Strategic Academic Plan-Four Pillars of Professional Practices,
• Learning Forward’s Standards for Professional Learning,
• New York State’s Ten Standards for High-Quality Professional Development and, 
• the new federal definition of professional development under Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA).

Professional development K-12 embraces research citing teacher quality as the single most powerful influence on student achievement;  therefore teacher professional development is an essential element in the design of professional development.  The professional development needs of other members of the school community,  including administrators and support personnel are also addressed to ensure a focus on continuous learning and to create the conditions necessary for closing the achievement gap and improving the achievement of all students.

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