2019-2020 Curriculum, Instruction, and Special Programs Update

We have completed year two of three of our revised three-year continuous improvement plan and participated in an Ohio Department of Education pilot to help districts develop new improvement plans. This pilot has helped us to tweak our existing goals:

1. By May 2021, 100% of students in the Fairless Local School District will demonstrate a minimum of one year's growth in all subject areas as measured by district approved and/or state assessments.

2. By May 2021, Fairless Local Schools will cultivate a safe, supportive, and inclusive school environment for all students as evidenced by a 5% overall decrease each year in the following CARE Team data points: chronic absenteeism, suspension and expulsion rates, mental health referrals, and course failures.

To meet these important goals, Fairless will continue to partner with the following to help provide professional development and consultation: 

• The Stark County Educational Service Center

• State Support Team 9

• Ohio Center for Autism and Low Incidence. 

We have audited our curriculum resources K-12 in English Language Arts, Mathematics, Foriegn Language and Science. As a result of these audits, the old curriculum has been replaced. In 2020/21, we will finalize our science curriculum adoption process and begin reviewing social studies.

Our professional development continues to focus on closing the literacy achievement gap. Pre-K-5, we have implemented the Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling (LETRS). At Fairless Middle School we have completed the first of a three year grant from the Ohio Department of Education in the amount of $270,000 to implement LETRS. This substantial investment in literacy instruction will ensure that Fairless students have access to a teaching staff who are well prepared to help close the literacy achievement gap. Bottom line, we are focusing on the basics of great teaching and learning for ALL children, with the end goal to ensure that every Fairless Falcon graduates life ready.

Our partnership with the Stark County Educational Service Center to bring in extra support for our College Credit Plus program continues to show results. Through this partnership, we have expanded our CCP program to include more face-to-face courses and a portfolio of digital offerings from Stark State. We have over 70 credit hours of CCP, in-house, at Fairless High School. In 2020/21, we will officially launch our associate’s Degree program with Stark State College and Kent State University at Stark. This program will allow students to earn a full associate's degree without ever needing to leave Fairless High School. 

Our Honors Diploma Pathways are entering the third year of availability to students and we are seeing some great results. In 2020, we had 28 students earn honors diplomas, which is equivalent to 22.7% of the graduating class. This is solid growth over prior years and is evidence of students choosing to take more rigorous coursework using a blend of digital, face-to-face, AP, and CCP courses. This is an exciting time to be a Falcon, and there has never been more opportunities for students to advance their learning options. 

State assessments and accountability measures continue to fluctuate, and there is not an indication of long-term stability. The Ohio School Report Card system is set to go through a major revision in which there are not specifics available at this time.. We are committed to student growth, regardless of the system Ohio enacts and will continue to implement our continuous improvement goals.

Federal Programs 

The Fairless Local School District participates in several federal programs. Parents and community members are encouraged to provide their input regarding these programs. Each program is listed below with a brief description. 

• Title I - used across the district to assist students who have difficulties in reading and math, reduce class, size, and fund the summer reading program.

• Title II - Professional development and Teacher Quality

• Title III - Funds programming for English Language Learners

• Title IV - Funds Family Supports Services

• IDEA  - Used to partially fund Special Education Programs

Questions about Curriculum, Instruction, or Special Programs?