Teaching & Learning

District Curriculum and Instruction is continuously reviewed by district administration and building and district content teams. Additionally, each content area goes through a thorough review cycle on a periodic basis, where more holistic curricular and resource changes are considered. The school district is committed to providing rigorous and relevant curriculum for all students and to continuously examine and improve instructional practices to meet their needs.

Please see the Curriculum summary for each school on the following webpages: 

• Orono Schumann Elementary
• Orono Intermediate School
• Orono Middle School
• Orono High School

Please visit the Literacy Plan webpages for complete details. 

For complete information, please see our Orono Challenge/Gifted & Talented page and school-specific programming for Orono Schumann Elementary, Orono Intermediate School, Orono Middle School and Orono High School. 

Excellence in student learning and growth is our emphasis in the Orono Schools, with the ultimate measure of success being preparation for and success in post-secondary education, work and life. We strive to implement an accountability system that measures, evaluates and communicates learning at the individual student level. Standardized assessments measuring student growth and achievement, classroom assessments, and surveys and data about student attitudes and behaviors all provide important information to teachers, students, and parents. Continuous improvement is embedded in strategic planning and goal setting processes.

Standardized achievement measures. The following standardized achievement measures are administered annually in the Orono Schools. Specific details are available here and on school calendars.

• Advanced Placement (AP) exams
• American College Testing (ACT) program
• FastBridge Assessment
• Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT)
• Curriculum based measurement
• Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments (MCA)
• NWEA Measures of Academic Progress (MAP)

Parents can access individual student assessment results through the ParentVUE portal. The Minnesota Department of Education also provides information about school performance in its data center and other testing information including parent refusal (opt-out) forms and other statewide testing info.

The mission of Orono Schools states:

"Our students will maximize their potential in life because of their experiences in Orono Schools."

To ensure this, the Orono Schools are implementing  grading and assessment practices that provide effective feedback, promote growth-mindset, and challenge students to master rigorous content. Assessment for Learning, also referred to as formative assessment, techniques and processes are critical to meeting those ends. Assessment of Learning, also referred to as summative assessment, continues to serve as the primary means for evaluating mastery of course learning objectives and grades.  

What does this mean for your child?

Teachers will... 

• clearly communicate the learning objectives.
• provide instruction and content that meets varied learning needs.
• use practice work, classroom work, and quizzes as a tool for feedback and growth.
• assess frequently and use results to modify instruction.
• communicate ongoing feedback to students about their learning.
• offer multiple opportunities to master objectives and extend learning.
• base course grades on summative assessments of the learning objectives.

Grading practices

Aligned with effective classroom practice using Assessment for Learning, grading practices must be aligned with the purpose and nature of formative and summative student work. Formative assessment of student learning is intended to be focused on feedback and growth so that students are encouraged and motivated to continue working towards higher standards. Summative Assessment of Learning is intended to provide an evaluative indication of how the student performed on the learning objectives. Grading should provide students and parents clear and consistent communication about performance on the learning objectives for each course.

These grading practices are based on research in effective teaching and learning practices and motivation.

• Effective grading practices provide students ongoing opportunities to master learning objectives by:
• Supporting student growth and mastery
• Not including zeros in grades when evidence is missing
• Not including zeros in grades as punishment
• Using alternatives, such as reassessing, to determine achievement
• Using "I" for incomplete or insufficient evidence

The district may employ a flexible learning model (e-learning) to optimize student learning when on-campus instruction is not possible. A Flexible Learning Day:

• may be called due to inclement weather or another unexpected event that causes a significant disruption to regular on-campus learning schedules
• can be utilized up to five days in one school year
• can be counted as an instructional day and included as hours of instruction (Minn. §Stat. 120A.41)

We invite you to review the Flexible Learning Day plan.

In accordance with 2013 Minnesota Statutes, section 120B.11, a school board, at a public meeting, shall adopt a comprehensive, long-term strategic plan to support and improve teaching and learning that is aligned with creating the world’s best workforce.

As required by statute, Orono Schools monitors equitable access to effective, experienced and properly-licensed teachers. There are no gaps in access to effective, experienced and licensed in Orono Schools for students of color, American Indian, or free/reduced lunch students.

State statute also requires reporting on student access to racially and ethnically diverse teachers with consideration of the ethnic and racial makeup of the student population. In the 2022-23 school year, 88% of the K-12 student population was white and 98% of the licensed teachers were white. 

The school board must transmit an electronic summary of this annual report to the commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Education each fall. The summary requires a combined report addressing the Annual World’s Best Workforce Summary and the Annual Achievement and Integration Plan Progress Report.

Please see links to each report below:

• Combined World Best Workforce Summary and Achievement and Integration Progress Report
• Achievement and Integration Plan