Test scores are only ONE measure of educational excellence.
Assessment of student performance is an important component of instruction and is accomplished in ways that measure both the quality of the learning process and outcomes. Attitudes, motivation, caring, and a positive environment are also essential factors in a total education.
Assessment methods include student portfolios, teacher observations, long-term projects, anecdotal records, writing samples, student interviews, teacher-made tests, standardized norm reference tests, and criterion reference tests.
Learning Goals
The school board has adopted district goals aligned with student needs. Bettendorf’s student learning goals are the general expectations for all its graduates. These learning goals were developed from community focus groups representing major stakeholders, finalized by the BCSD SIAC and adopted by the Bettendorf Board of Education. The goals are reviewed and updated at least once every five years.
The district is committed to developing life learners who are:
Academically Prepared Individuals
- Master academic and workplace skills required to succeed in higher education and/or employment
- Use general skills and strategies of the reading process for reading a variety of literary and informational texts
- Demonstrate effective use of ideas and information throughout the curriculum, including library media, technology, and other tools for information processing
- Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the biological, physical, chemical and environmental sciences to include terminology, concepts, processes and technology, the ultimate goal being the ability to apply this information to future societal issues
Effective Communicators
- Adjust their use of spoken, written and visual language to communicate effectively with a variety of audiences and for different purposes
- Apply knowledge of language structure and conventions to create, critique, and discuss print and non-print texts
- Develop an understanding of and respect for diversity in language use, patterns, and dialects across cultures, ethnic groups, geographic regions, and social roles
- Participate as knowledgeable, reflective, creative, and critical members of a variety of literacy communities
- Use technology effectively as a means of communication in a variety of ways and settings
Creative Problem Solvers
- Apply problem solving skills, reason and communicate mathematically, interpret data, estimate, and extend mathematical concepts using current technology
- Apply skills to solve problems, make responsible decisions, work independently, and set realistic goals
- Take responsibility for their academic success by accessing services designed to meet their individual needs and interests
Socially & Personally Responsible Citizens
- Apply skills for interacting with others in a tolerant and ethical way, including conflict resolution
- Demonstrate a working knowledge of geography, history, government, economics, world cultures, social sciences and global interdependence in order to become participatory citizens of their community, their country and their world
- Understand concepts and behaviors necessary to achieve physical, mental, emotional, moral, social, and cultural well-being
- Demonstrate family and consumer science skills related to becoming informed consumers, making responsible decisions, contributing to a family, and establishing career choices
- Demonstrate skills necessary to perform a variety of movements, to be physically fit, and participate regularly in physical activity to promote a healthful life style