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Instruction

Instruction

The MUASD is focused on data-driven instruction that is research-based.  We integrate technology to enhance teaching and learning.  We strive to meet the growing challenges of our 21st century learners while providing a strong foundation in literacy and numeracy.  In addition, we offer instruction that prepares our students for the real world.   Our instruction reflects the knowledge and skills our young people need to succeed in life after high school, in both post-secondary education and a globally competitive workforce.

Instruction at MUASD is also aligned to the current educational research on best practices.  We utilize the educational research of Marzano, DeFour, Schmoker, Darling-Hammond, Fullan, as well as many others.  Some examples of those research-based strategies include:

  • Identify Similarities and Differences / Compare & Contrast

  • Summarize & Note Taking

  • Reinforce Effort / Providing Recognition

  • Provide Homework & Practice

  • Use Nonlinguistic Representations (physical models, pictures, illustrations, graphs, kinesthetic activities, etc.)

  • Use Cooperative Learning / Partner Work

  • Set Objectives (Learning Targets)

  • Provide Feedback

  • Generate and Test a Hypothesis

  • Use High-order Questions (DOK 3 & 4), Cues, & Advanced Organizers

  • Build Background Knowledge

  • Provide Direct Vocabulary Instruction
  • Scaffold Instruction

In addition, we also emphasize the most important concepts in each subject area.  We organize our instruction into small, manageable chunks and repeat as often as needed.  We also schedule distributed practice over time to allow for those most important topics to be revisited periodically to ensure long-term memory.  Writing in every core subject area is also a focus as we know that students who write often do better in all areas of learning!

There are a multitude of instructional resources available to teachers and students throughout the district.  Some of these curricular resources include McGraw Hill’s Open Court Reading series, new for the 2019-2020 school year in grades K-5.  StudySync has been introduced in ELA classrooms within our newly configured 6-8 Junior High School.  Additionally, the district is in its second year of implementation of the Pearson’s Elevate Science program in grades K-6.  The district will continue to utilize Pearson’s enVision Math series for the fifth consecutive year in grades K-8.

The Mount Union Area School District continues to host a PreK program in partnership with Huntingdon County Child and Adult Development Corporation.  This initiative continues to be supported through PA PreK Counts, Head Start Supplemental, and Title 1 funding.

The district participates with after-school tutoring through the 21st Century Grant.  An advisor/advisee program is also in place to assist students with meeting graduation requirements.  All students, both special and regular education, have equal access to appropriate curricular programming that meets their individual needs. 

Please log into these documents for support with online instruction:
Instructional Plan for Remote Learners
Microsoft TEAMS Support for Families
Microsoft TEAMS Support for Students
Microsoft TEAMS Support for Educators

Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS)

Pennsylvania’s Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS) is a standards-aligned, comprehensive school improvement framework designed to enhance academic, behavioral, and social-emotional learning outcomes for ALL students using a continuum of evidence-based practices and technically adequate assessment measures. 

The components of Pennsylvania’s MTSS framework include high-quality standards-aligned core instruction, universal screening, shared ownership, data-based decision-making within a tiered service delivery model, family engagement, and ongoing context embedded professional learning.  

MTSS is organized into three tiers of support:

All students will receive Tier 1 support, using the district-adopted core materials.  Instruction in Tier 1 may be differentiated to meet individual student needs with this core instruction; however, students are still instructed using the core materials.  In English Language Arts (ELA) we use the Open Court reading series from McGraw-Hill.  In Math, we use Envision Math from Savaas Learning.  Both core programs are well-researched and proven to make a difference in reading and math skills when implemented with fidelity.  In addition to our core materials, we also utilize various programs for practicing skills such as IXL, Reflex Math, Frax, and eSpark, to name a few. 

If data reveals that a student needs extra support in a targeted skill or strategy beyond core instruction, our school district provides Title I support in both reading and math.  We call this, Tier 2.  In Tier 2 instruction, students are provided an extra twenty minutes of instruction, very specific to their area of deficiency.  Direct instruction occurs in Tier 2 to give students the boost they need to be more successful.  We provide this extra support in addition to core instruction so students do not miss important teaching; students are working with a reading or math specialist (Title I) during part of their class’s center time/stations.  Tier 2 instruction may occur in the regular classroom or may occur in a small group setting outside of the classroom.  We aim to have no more than six students in each small group.  

Tier 3 support is provided for those students with intensive needs in reading and math.  For example, these students need a small group environment for this intensive, direct instruction.  Sometimes, the instruction is provided 1:1.  These students are likely to be more than one year behind grade level.  This tiered system of support is 40 minutes in duration.  We aim to have no more than three students per group.  All Tier 3 programs that Mount Union utilizes are research-based and have proven evidence that these materials work for most students in Tier 3.  

In summary, the Mount Union Area School District believes in the overwhelming research findings for effective practices.  We believe in shared ownership of each student's learning so your child may have more than one expert working with them throughout the day.  We strive to create opportunities for our students where they can thrive.  We assure high expectations for all students, providing research-based, data-driven instruction that is aligned to the Pennsylvania State Standards.  We also will progress monitor all students throughout the year to ensure that learning is taking place.