RAPS Academics

The Roscommon Advantage

At Roscommon Area Public Schools our students are challenged by our high academic standards. From our Great Start Preschool Program to the Advanced Placement and dual enrollment opportunities at Roscommon high school, we offer a variety of learning opportunities for all students.

Curriculum

RAPS follows the state adopted curriculum standards based on the Common Core State Standards for each grade level and core area.

Supervision and Guidance

The District Improvement Team assists in  supervising, planning and aligning the district with the continually changing curriculum standards from the state and federal governments. The district's Mission and Vision statements are used as a guide in the process. This results in a continuous review and alignment to best practices and professional development, and drives student progress.

Annual Testing

Data from student testing creates a meaningful monitoring of student academic success. Results of this testing guides our review and alignment process.

Graduation Requirements

The Michigan Merit Curriculum defines a common set of required credits for graduation and provides educators with a common understanding of what student's should know and be able to do for credit. It also provides students the learning opportunity, knowledge and skills they need to succeed in college or the workplace.


Common Core FAQ's

The Common Core State Standards (CCSS) adopted by Michigan are important for your student's future success! The standards are the same wherever you go. Common standards mean that students in Michigan are learning the same thing as students across the country. Students moving into or out of Michigan or from different school districts in Michigan will have a smoother educational transition because learning goals will now be the same across states. Here are answers to questions you might have about the standards and what they might mean for your child.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the Common Core State Standards?

The Common Core State Standards are a set of expectations that outline what students should be learning in English/language arts and mathematics at each grade level (K-12).

What is the goal of the CCSS?

The goal of the CCSS is to make sure that all students are well prepared for college, technical education, or the workplace after high school graduation.

Do the standards tell teachers how to teach?

No. The CCSS do not tell teachers how to teach; they simply outline the skills that all students should master. For example, the CCSS do not tell teachers which books should be taught in fourth-grade English/language arts, but they do say that each fourth grader should learn how to identify "a theme of a story, drama, or poem from details in the text" or "summarize the text."

Are there standards for science, social studies and other content areas?

No. At this time, the CCSS do not address content areas other than reading/language arts and mathematics; however, they do include standards related to content area reading in history/social studies, science, and technical subjects for Grades 6-12.

Why were the CCSS created?

Currently, each individual state has its own education standards, and there is little consistency from one state to another. The CCSS were designed to provide a single set of research-based standards that will ensure that all students nationwide have access to the same rigorous academic content. So far, 45 of the 50 states have adopted the CCSS, which are scheduled to go into effect in 2014.

Who wrote the standards?

The CCSS were not developed by the federal government, but by a group of educators and experts coordinated by the National Governors Association Center for Best Practices (NGA Center) and the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO). The federal government will not oversee the implementation of the CCSS.

How will student progress in meeting the standards be measured?

As of now, it is not clear how students' progress toward meeting the standards will be measured or assessed; however, because the U.S. Constitution gives individual states the right to oversee education, participating states will likely be in charge of any testing that is done for the purpose of monitoring student progress.

Do the standards include information about English language levels or proficiency?

One of the main considerations regarding the use of the CCSS with English language learners will be to align the new standards with existing English Language Proficiency (ELP) standards, which vary from state to state. The CCSS are not currently aligned to ELP standards.

Where can I learn more?

Parents can access the Common Core State Standards in their entirety on the CCSS website. By reviewing the standards for their child's grade level, parents can be better equipped to provide support for their child's learning at home.

Closing Thoughts

As parents you can support your child's success by asking them to talk about what they are learning, reading to and with your kids, and providing opportunities to learn new things at home or in the community. By being informed about what is going on at RAPS and the new standards, you will be better prepared to help your child.