Skip To Main Content

Academic and Student Support

Commitments to Excellence

Please see District Policy information on our website ~ fortmorgank12.com.

Culturally Linguistically Diverse Programming

Morgan County School District Re-3 serves the needs of many second―language learners.  All elementary buildings provide the services of an CLD teacher along with support from one or more teacher assistants.

Students may qualify for CLD programming if their Home Language Questionnaire indicates a Primary Home Language Other Than English (PHLOTE).  Such students are evaluated using the WIDA ACCESS Placement Test (W-APT) to determine language proficiency.  Instructional programming is then designed to support the student’s language proficiency level.  Instructional services may include “pull-out” support during which time students participate in small group instruction with the CLD teacher.  “Structured Immersion” in the regular classroom is another means of serving English language learners whose needs are better served in this fashion.  All instruction is conducted in English with translation support as needed and appropriate.  Depending upon intensity of need, some students receive support from a teacher assistant during content area instruction.  

Staff in all buildings are provided information from the CLD teachers outlining each student’s language profile and teaching strategies appropriate for English language instruction.  Extended learning opportunities are also available at all buildings which may include tutoring; supplemental and intervention instruction throughout the regular day; and/or summer school.  

The Morgan County School District Re-3 provides free language assistance for any parent/ guardian who requests support in speaking, reading, writing, or comprehending English.  The school will provide language assistance for anyone who requests it without question.  Please contact the school office for assistance.

Grading - Standards Rating

This guide serves to explain the Green Acres School’s Standards-Based Report Card. All students must perform at their highest level to meet and exceed the Colorado State and National Common Core Standards.  Standards Ratings is a method of helping students know where they stand, and what they have to do to meet those standards. Standards are specific learning outcomes that students must meet at certain grade levels. These expectations are clearly stated in our district’s curriculum or Essential Learning Targets. Teachers assess students on attainment of these standards or targets throughout the year, using a variety of assessments. 

Why Standards Ratings? Traditional grading has always been very subjective. In a traditional system, students get higher grades when they turn in work on time and complete every task, even if they do not show mastery of the standards. Sometimes students receive lower grades because they do not have good work habits, even if they have mastered the standards. Fair grading will show mastery of content, as well as initiative and work habits. Parents should have no surprises when they receive standardized test scores. Students’ strengths and weaknesses on high stakes tests should mirror the same areas worked on in the classroom. Students are assessed on their ability to apply the standards to real life situations, not just state facts which have been memorized. Teaching and learning must be focused on standards; rather than just coverage of material. 

"By comparing one child’s performance to a clear standard, parents, students and teachers all know precisely what is expected. Every time a student attempts a task, the performance is compared to the standard, not the other students’ performances. The most important advantages for students and families are fairness, clarity, and improved learning.
(Douglas B. Reeves, 101 Questions and Answers about Standards, Assessment and Accountability, 2004)

hen standards are unclear in a school, students quickly realize that teachers’ expectations differ.  Students learn it is each individual teacher’s opinion that determines the quality of their work.    

When there are not clear standards in a school, students realize quickly that teachers’ expectations differ. When this happens, the student learns that there is no such thing as good writing or complete work in reading or math, but only what the teacher wants. 

Standards-Based Report Cards provide:

  • Complete information about student achievement of standards

  • Clear information about when to accelerate, enrich, and remediate students

  • Classroom assessments which are valid and adequately challenging

  • Clear expectations

  • Consistent accountability to high standards

  • Validity and reliability (Validity – measures what it is supposed to; Reliability – is consistent between classes or schools)

  • A report on non-academic, yet vitally important topics, such as effort, work habits and behavior, which are clearly separated from academics, and

  • Predictions as to a student’s achievement on standardized test.

Homework

Homework assignments or projects may be offered as an opportunity for pupils to practice skills learned at school.  Students should all be reading nightly for 10-20 minutes whether reading homework is assigned or not. Such assignments will vary with the teacher and the child.  PLEASE feel free to visit with your child’s teacher about homework.

Student Progress

Student progress reports will be distributed at the end of each quarter.  Two Parent-Teacher conferences are scheduled during the school year as well.  Green Acres has academic standards in place for all grades.  WE STRONGLY ENCOURAGE PERSONAL AND/OR PHONE CONFERENCES WITH A TEACHER WHENEVER NEEDED OR DESIRED.  If a need occurs, teachers may request problem-solving or planning meetings that require more time with parents or guardians.

Testing Information

There will be a variety of assessments given to students throughout the year. Some will be required by the school, others will be set up as district wide assessments, and some will be required by the state.  In each case, it is our desire that the assessments provide meaningful data that can be used to evaluate instructional practices and determine student progress and achievement.   

State Testing: The state of Colorado requires grades 3-10th testing in the areas of math, reading, writing, science, and social studies, depending on the grade level.  Parents will receive notification of exact testing dates.  Make-ups will be scheduled as necessary within the window allotted for testing to take place.  

It is important for students, parents/guardians, and teachers to mark these dates down and make sure students are present for the test.  We ask that you make appointments, vacations, etc. based around these dates.  These dates are listed on the current school calendar.