Curriculum
The Quartzsite School District #4 curriculum adheres to state standards in all subjects, including the core areas of language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies. We also offer instruction in art, music, and physical education. On this page, you'll learn more about state standards and assessments.
Academic Standards
Arizona's Common Core Standards will ensure your child has the academic knowledge and skills to be successful in college, career, and life. Academic standards set the expectation for what students need to know and be able to do in each grade and subject. They form the foundation of what teachers teach and students learn in the classroom.
These standards will not only improve what your child learns but how he learns by teaching critical-thinking, problem solving, and effective communication skills. They will also better prepare your child to compete for the jobs of the future with students from around the world.
Assessments
In this age of accountability, assessments have become an integral part of an educational system. We use assessments for varying purposes; however, their primary purpose is to drive instructional decisions. It is important that parents have a basic understanding of the assessments used.
AzMerit
AzMERIT replaces AIMS for reading, writing, and math for third, fourth, and fifth grade students. It is a computer-based test that provides engaging questions and measures critical thinking skills for college and career readiness. The assessment is aligned to the state learning standards that detail what students should be able to do at each grade level. We administer the AzMERIT during the spring testing window. For more information, please visit the Arizona Department of Education website.
AIMS-Science
Although the other state testing areas moved to AzMERIT, science remains with AIMS. At Quartzsite School District #4, only fourth and eighth graders will participate in this test during the spring testing window. For additional information, please visit the Arizona Department of Education website.
DIBELS Next
Dynamic Indicators of Basic Literacy Skills (DIBELS) is an assessment used in grades K-5 to determine if students are on track for success in reading. We give the assessment to all students at the beginning, middle, and end of the year. We will progress monitor all students who do not meet the core standards for reading on a weekly or bi-weekly basis. At the end of the year, all students who meet benchmark will receive a gold medal in reading. To learn more, please read the Parent Guide to DIBELS Assessment.
Galileo
We give the Galileo assessment multiple times a year in the content areas of reading and math to determine if kinder through eighth grade students are mastering the standards taught during the quarter, as well as to determine if third through eighth graders are on track to passing state assessments. In addition to the quarterly checks, we give a pre and post-test at the beginning and end of each school year as a measurement of growth
Move On When Reading
We are committed to working in partnership with you to ensure that your child receives the best education possible. We support the 2010 House Bill (2732) that recognizes the importance of ensuring that your child and every child has acquired the basic skills necessary to be a contributing member of our community.
We encourage you to continue to work collaboratively with your child's teacher to ensure that your child is acquiring all the skills and strategies he/she will need to be a successful reader. Your child's teacher will continue to provide you with timely updates on his/her reading progress. If you would like additional information regarding your child's progress, please contact your child's teacher. We look forward to working together to ensure that your child and every child in our school district becomes a proficient and successful reader. For more information about "Move on When Reading," please go to the Arizona Department of Education website.
Academic Standards & Resources
Use the resources below to learn more about Arizona's academic standards.
Common Core & Arizona Academic Standards
Even though Common Core curriculum is embedded into the teaching of all subjects, QSD teachers will still follow the other set state curriculum standards for each subject matter.