What are academic standards?

The District’s academic standards identify what students should know and be able to do within a given content area or subject. Standards serve as goals and guideposts for both classroom instruction and student learning. The standards also help parents and students gain a better understanding of the District’s expectations for student learning. 

Academic standards provide a critical foundation and framework for the District’s sequential curriculum plans and for the District’s student assessments in each content area. The District reviews Wisconsin state standards, other state’s standards, and professional organization standards as it develops local standards for the District; the District develops standards locally to support our students’ learning. The standards are not an actual classroom curriculum. The curriculum that the District’s schools implement in the various content areas remains flexible and adaptable, and there are many different instructional techniques and activities that could all be consistent with the District’s academic standards.

Stated another way, academic standards attempt to identify and focus on the most essential and fundamental aspects of student learning, but they do not attempt to describe all that can or should be taught. A great deal is left to the discretion of curriculum developers and teachers. In addition, the District’s adoption and use of academic standards should not be confused with standardized testing of students. While the District implements various state and federal testing mandates and also implements various locally-selected student assessments, the District’s academic standards do not mandate the use of any specific standardized test or assessment.

Why does the District have academic standards? 

State law requires all school districts, charter schools, and certain private schools to adopt academic standards in mathematics, science, reading and writing, geography, and history. 

What is an example of an academic standard?

Below is an example of an academic standard for middle school mathematics.
AASD Mathematics Standard for Students in Grade Seven
III.  Expressions and Equations
a. Use properties of operations to generate equivalent expressions.
b. Solve real-life and mathematical problems involving angle measure, area, surface area, and volume.

What are the academic standards that will be in effect during this school year? 

State law requires the District to provide the parents and guardians of all enrolled students with notice of the academic standards in mathematics, science, reading and writing, geography, and history that have been adopted by the School Board and that will be in effect during each school year.

Accordingly, the District academic standards that will be in effect in these specific content areas for this school year are listed below. Electronic links to the detailed version of the applicable standards are provided as well.

To the extent a parent or guardian would like to review a copy of any of the standards in an alternative format, please contact (920) 852-5320.

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Content Area / Subject	The District's 2023-2024 Student Academic Standards
English Language Arts (includes reading and writing) e.g. the AASD elementary standards were Board adopted in June 2012 and middle and high school standards were Board adopted in 2013	The District uses the Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts as a foundation for its standards in English Language Arts (includes reading and writing). These District standards include: Standards for English Language Arts & Literacy in History/Social Studies, Science, and Technical Subjects in grades K–5; Standards for English Language Arts & Literacy in History/Social Studies, Science, and Technical Subjects in grades 6–12; Standards for Literacy in All Subjects for grades K-5; and  Standards for Literacy in All Subjects for grades 6-12 A complete copy of these standards can be located and reviewed here
Mathematics e.g. the AASD elementary standards were Board adopted in September 2009 and modified in September 2013; middle level in 2013; and high school in 2016	The District has adopted the Common Core State Standards for Mathematics, as formerly adapted to Wisconsin by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (through the 2014-15 school year). These District standards include: Standards for mathematical content Standards for mathematical practice A complete copy of these standards can be located and reviewed here
Science e.g. the AASD elementary standards were Board adopted in January 2006; middle level in 2004; and high school began a review and revision process in 2016	The District has adopted the Wisconsin Model Academic Standards for Science and is transitioning to the Next Generation Science Standards, as courses undergo review and updating.    A complete copy of these standards can be located and reviewed here
Social Studies (includes geography and history) e.g. the AASD elementary standards were Board adopted in May 2007; middle level in 2005 and revised in 2015; high school 2005-16	The District has adopted the Wisconsin Model Academic Standards for Social Studies for grades 7-12 and is transitioning to the Wisconsin Standards for Social Studies as courses undergo review and updating. The five strands of the social studies standards encompass history, geography, behavioral science, economics, and political science. The model standards include both content standards and performance standards. Through the development of inquiry modules, grades K-6 piloted the updated Wisconsin Standards for Social Studies in 1-2 classrooms per grade level for the 2019-2020 school year. Full implementation of the new standards for grades K-6 took place during the 2021-22 school year. A complete copy of these standards can be located and reviewed here

Has the District selected and implemented academic standards in other content areas?

The District reviews Wisconsin state standards, other state’s standards, and professional organization standards as it develops local standards for the District; the District develops standards locally to support our students’ learning. District standards are available electronically on this page within the District’s website.

Who can I contact for more information about the District’s academic standards? 

If you have any questions about this notice, please contact Steve Harrison.

This notice is issued pursuant to section 120.12(13) of the state statutes.