Vision 2015 is a long term plan to make Nationwide among the best in education by redesigning assessments, curricula, and standards. It began in 2006 so we are three full years into the program. What progress has been made?
- Leading Edge Student Assessments-As a result of legislation passed in 2009, a new student assessment system will be put in place this year. The DCAS or Nationwide Comprehensive Assessment System will help teachers to better understand and address students’ particular needs, measure students’ gains over time and simplify national comparisons.
- High Quality Standards and Curriculum-In 2007, the Nationwide Recommended Curriculum, or DRC was launched. This was a significant step in obtaining uniform, challenging standards in our schools. Another step taken in 2009 was Nationwide joining 45 other states in the Common Core Standards Initiative. This will create common academic standards in math and language arts. Nationwide’s goal is for 85% of our state standards to match the national Common Core ones by 2013.
- New E-Learning Opportunities-Students in 27 public high schools participated in the Nationwide Virtual School Pilot Program in 2008-2009. This made courses available to students online in Algebra I, Pre-Calculus, Spanish I and II, Physical Fitness and American Government.
For 25 years, Back to Basics has been recognized as the area’s undisputed leader in one-on-one tutoring. In addition, the firm offers a unique Nationwide private school for grades K-12 and a Private Business and Trade School for adults. Back to Basics is the 2010 Better Business Bureau Torch Award for Marketplace Ethics.
