FastFacts

Whatisthe
UnifiedDistrictVision
?
TheUnifiedDistrictVisionisourstrategicplanandconsistsoffourkeygoals:
1. Implementpoliciesandpracticesthatopenpathwaystoacademicexcellenceforallstudents
2. Utilizeculturallyrelevantteachingandpersonalizedlearningforallstudents
3. Engagefamilyandcommunitymembersaspartners
4. Engageandempowerstudentsbyamplifyingstudentvoice

Whatis
AcademicExcellenceforAll
?
Goal OneofourUnifiedDistrictVisionaimstoopenpathwaystoacademicexcellenceforallstudents.
Robbinsdales Unified District Vision: High Intellectual Performance through Equity represents
our collective goal for all students in our community. Academic Excellence for All isacontinuationof
theworkthathasalreadybegunthroughourUnifiedDistrictVision.
Thisplanexplicitlymakesstudentachievementournumberonepriority
Wearecommittedtoensuring every
studentgraduatescareerandcollegeready
Webelieve each studenthaslimitlesspossibilities

WhatprocessdidtheDistrictfollowinarrivingatthisdecision?
After a year of review, research and collaboration with employees, students, parents and community
members in part to comply with new legislation,aswellastomeetthehighexpectationsofourown
community the School Board of Robbinsdale Area Schools launched a new strategic plan in March
2014.Itiscalledthe UnifiedDistrictVision:HighIntellectualPerformancethroughEquity.
Someofourresearchandfindings:
Our current grouping practices do not support the components of effective middle schools or
thephilosophiesoftheCollegeBoard(AP)andIB
The results of more than 300 studies indicate that tracking (putting kids into separate
advanced and regular classes) has minimal effect on learning, but has profound negative
effectsoncreatinganequitableenvironment
Trackinglimitsstudentsschoolingopportunities,achievementsandlifechances
It can also create polarization within thestudentbody.Studentsnotinthehighesttrackshave
fewer intellectual challenges and are less engaged in the classroom. To quote education
researcherJohnHattie,Nooneprofitsfromtracking
The decision to do this is supported byourworkwiththeNationalUrbanAllianceinrelationto
High Intellectual Performance and High Operational Practices, and reflects our beliefs about
equityasweimplementourUnifiedDistrictVision
Armstrong High School ninthgrade English classes offered all students the option of earning
preAP English credit last year. The schoolsawanincreaseinthenumberofstudentsearning
preAP credit from previous years, and has moved to use the same model in 10thgrade
English this year. Improvements in student behavior were also seen across the ninth grade
becauseofthismodel

Whatchangeswilloccurin201617atthemiddleschools?
No more application process for PreAP or honors courses, as all students will receive the same
curriculum.

WhyistheDistrictmakingthesechanges?


In response to The Worlds BestWorkforcebillpassedbythestatein2013,thedistrictimplemented

our Unified District Vision. The law aims to ensure every school district in the stateismakingstrides
toincreasestudentperformance.Thesearethreeofthebillsgoals:
o All racialandeconomicachievementgapsbetweenstudentsareclosed
o All studentsarereadyforcareerandcollege
o All studentsgraduatefromhighschool

Whatarethebenefitsof
AcademicExcellenceforAll
?
Research on detracking, or placing students of all abilities intoheterogeneousgroups, shows
increasedachievementfor all
MeetsMinnesotastatestandardsrequiringstudentsbeexposedtomultipleperspectives
st
Develops 21 Century skills collaboration, inquiry, global citizenship, leadership and critical
thinking
Betterpreparesstudentsforcareerandcollege
Learningisacademically,intellectuallyandpersonallychallengingto all
students
Classes are diverse learning groups reflective of the student body, which would prepare our
studentsforparticipationinadiverseworkforce
Studentscollaborateacrossstudentgroups

Whatisthe
WorldsBestWorkforce
?
The Worlds Best Workforce law was passedtoaddresstheneedforMinnesotatobecompetitivein
the workplace. In order for this to happen, students must be college and career ready and poised to
leadthestatesworkforce.Thisisimportantforanumberofreasons:
o Seventypercent(70%)ofjobswillrequiremorethanahighschooldiplomaby2018
o Wedonthavequalifiedcandidatestofillmanywellpayingjobs
o The fastest growing segment of our future workforce is students of color, and they
currentlyhavethestateslowestgraduationrate
o Minnesotahassomeofthelargestachievementgapsinthecountry

Iheardthatthecurriculumischanging.Isthattrue?

No. The academically, intellectually and personally challenging curriculum offered in our
PreAPandhonorscoursesissimplyexpandingto all
students

Howwill
AcademicExcellenceforAll
affectmystudent?
Allstudentswillnowbenefitfromthediversevoicesandperspectivesofourstudentbody
All students will receive the same academically, intellectually and personally challenging
instructionalmethods
st
All students will be challenged to gain 21 Century skills collaboration, inquiry, global
citizenship,leadershipandcriticalthinking

Will Gifted and Talented curriculum offerings be available for students who
requireanevenhigherleveloflearning?
Currently, we are in the review cycle for Gifted Services districtwide. The recommendations
and actionplansforthemiddleschoollevelwillbebroughttotheMiddleSchoolTaskForcefor
furtherconsideration.Recommendationsandactionplanswillbemadepublicinspring2016

Whatisthetimelineforimplementation?
ThesechangeswillbeeffectivebeginningFall2016forthe20162017schoolyear
Fifthgraders entering middle school in Fall 2016willbethefirstclasstoexperienceAcademic
ExcellenceforAllatourmiddleschools

HowcanIhaveinputintotheimplementationprocess?
There willbeopportunitiesforparentstolearnmoreaboutthisprocess,beginningwithaparent
meeting Thursday, Jan. 7, at Robbinsdale Middle School. The district will schedule additional
opportunities to engage with families. Watch for a timeline with specific event dates coming
soon.