The Department of Instruction supports student learning through the development of district curriculum, the administration of state and district assessments and the promotion of teacher learning and professional growth. The work of the Department of Instruction is anchored by the school division's primary goal: increased student achievement. Our goal is to provide educational cohesion and continuity among all schools in the division, creating a seamless educational experience for all our students.

Curriculum

The Department of Instruction provides expertise and support for all curriculur and instructional programs. The department works collaboratively with principals, assistant principals, teachers, and others to refine the educational programs we offer our students. The Department of Instruction is responsible for directing all curriculum writing initiatives as well as providing schools with local benchmark assessments. In addition, the department identifies best practices for content areas and passes on that knowledge through various training venues.

Curriculum for RPS is outlined in our Curriculum Compasses. These Compasses, created by and for teachers, provide an instructional framework for teaching. Using the Virginia Standards of Learning (SOL) as a foundation, our Compasses tie together the standards, the Curriculum Framework, our Teaching by Design lesson plans, the Enhanced Scope and Sequence, SOL Test Blueprints, our pacing charts, our assessment tools, and any other pertinent resource materials.

Assessment

The primary assessment used in Virginia is our SOL (Standards of Learning) tests. SOL tests are administered each spring to students in grades three through eight and End of Course in language arts, writing, science, social studies and math. These test scores are used to determine whether or not a school meets the federal and state guidelines for accreditation and school improvement. Additionally, benchmark testing takes place at the end of each nine week reporting period.