Textbooks

The Hemet Unified School District follows the State of California's curriculum cycle for curriculum development and review. The state develops Curriculum Frameworks in the following subject areas:

• English/Language Arts
• Foreign Language
• Health
• History/Social Science
• Mathematics
• Physical Education
• Science
• Visual and Performing Arts
• Multilingual

Material selection is done by committees of teachers and administrators from all grade levels, K-12, and shared with parents and the community. The following process is used to assist our district in the selection and implementation of standards-based instructional materials:

• Review state content standards
• Review the state frameworks
• Meet with publisher representatives who present materials to committees
• Review state-approved textbooks and instructional materials
• Pilot textbooks and instructional materials in classrooms throughout our district
• Committee feedback about the different programs and make recommendations to Curriculum Council and the Governing Board of Trustees

High quality, long-term professional development is critical to the successful implementation of the Open Court Reading. Teachers will receive quality training to support their understanding of the research and how to translate that research into instruction.

SRA and Hemet Unified School District are committed to helping all students learn to read by providing educators with:

• Hands-on, interactive training
• Individual classroom coaching
• Customized workshops to meet district and staff needs
• Videocassettes for extension of training
• Online training to accommodate teachers' needs and schedules

Grade-specific training is being provided to introduce teachers to Open Court Reading. During one-day and longer sessions, consultants will provide:

• The research foundation on which the program was developed
• Grade level-specific instructional strategies
• Opportunities to practice teaching techniques
• Information on adapting instruction to meet individual needs of students
• Strategies for ongoing student assessment

Consultants will continue to provide support by visiting schools and working with teachers in classrooms. Consultants will also offer classroom demonstrations for groups of grade level teachers that are followed by sessions to discuss the lesson, teaching techniques, and observations.

Subsequent follow-up sessions may be arranged as teachers request for coaching, reinforcement, support, and feedback on lesson delivery.

Following school visits, consultants will be available for after-school workshops to address specific content needs of the staff.