Curriculum
Over the last few years, we have determined the West Fork essential standards and have gone through curriculum adoptions that affect every student on our campus. Our curriculum committees understand that selecting guaranteed viable curriculum for our students is a critical step in their educational success and for that reason, each curriculum resource we choose is vetted by a team of teaching professionals for quality assurance and adherence to the Arkansas State Standards. For more information on our curriculum, including how it is created and chosen, please contact me.
Program Links
- English for Speakers of Other Languages
- Career and Technical Education
- Gifted and Talented
- Special Education
English for Speakers of Other Languages
Mission Statement
The primary philosophy of the West Fork School District’s ESOL program is to take into consideration the individual differences of our families and to implement a program that will benefit and improve education for each child who enters school regardless of their English proficiency and/or cultural backgrounds and perspectives. All students will have equal opportunities to participate fully in the education system through appropriate communication with parents and/or guardians. Letters and other information sent home will be in a language or form the parents and/or guardians understand. Other issues related to the educational needs of an increasingly diverse student population will be addressed in a timely and proactive manner.
Furthermore, West Fork School District will provide a balanced ESOL program that will prepare English Language Learners (ELLs) to function in both the academic and social arenas. Our goal is to have students succeed in the content areas while learning academic skills: listening, speaking, reading and writing. Also, we want students to maintain their own culture while learning to live and participate in their new community (biculturalism). All teachers and staff of ELL students will be provided with information and training to enhance the role of each in this process.
Career and Technical Education
Gifted and Talented
Special Education
West Fork Schools supports the social, emotional, and diverse needs of learners with multiple abilities by giving them the opportunity to reach their fullest potential in learning using a range of appropriate, evidence-based practices.
Special education is specially designed instruction that addresses the unique needs of a student eligible to receive special education services. Special education is provided at no cost to parents and includes the related services a student needs to access her/his educational program.
These programs are designed to provide appropriate accommodations, modifications, and support to ensure that students with disabilities have equal access to education and can achieve their academic, social, emotional, and behavioral goals.
A special education program typically begins with an evaluation and assessment process to identify a student’s specific needs and determine the most appropriate program and services. Based on the assessment, an individualized education plan (IEP) is developed, which outlines the student’s educational goals, accommodations, and services required.
Special education programs may be implemented in various settings, including regular education classrooms, resource rooms, or structured learning classrooms, depending on the severity of the disability and the level of support needed. The program may involve a combination of specialized instruction, individualized support, assistive technologies, and related services such as speech therapy, occupational therapy, or counseling, as specified in the IEP.
The teachers and staff in a special education program are trained to provide specialized instruction and support, and may work collaboratively with other professionals such as special education teachers, general education teachers, school psychologists, speech-language pathologists, and other specialists to ensure that the student’s needs are met comprehensively.
In a special education program, emphasis is placed on creating an inclusive and supportive environment that fosters the development of the whole child, including their cognitive, social, emotional, and behavioral skills. The goal is to help students with disabilities reach their full potential, become independent learners, and participate fully in their school and community.
Regular progress monitoring and annual review of the IEP are conducted to assess the effectiveness of the special education program and make necessary adjustments to ensure that the student’s needs are being met. Collaboration and communication with parents or guardians are also integral components of a special education program, to ensure that parents are involved in the decision-making process and are informed about their child’s progress.
Overall, a special education program is designed to provide individualized support, accommodations, and services to meet the unique needs of students with disabilities, enabling them to access their education and achieve their full potential.
West Fork Schools provides special education and related services to eligible students in accordance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). We ensure free and appropriate public education for students with disabilities in the least restrictive environment. The special services department is committed to providing high-quality services to our students and families.
Curriculum by Building
High School
STEM
PLTW Computer Science courses offered at West Fork High School currently include Computer Science Essentials and Computer Science Principles.
The West Fork School District teachers create science content that follows the Arkansas Science Standards.
Open SciEd is an online resource that offers activities and hands-on learning for students that are based in the tenets of the Next Generation Science Standards, integrated by the Arkansas Department of Education.
Math
English Language Arts
Grades 7-12 Core Instruction
myPerspectives is a powerful English language arts curriculum for Grades 6–12 that values the perspective of the learner, collectively and individually, and provides next-gen learning experiences that promote higher achievement and develop the competencies needed for college and career readiness. Interactive learning blends print and technology in a student-centered learning, teacher-inspired classroom. This dynamic Savvas program creates an interactive, engaging, and relevant learning environment through readings, meaningful activities, and purposeful performance tasks. myPerspectives encourages social collaboration as well as student ownership of learning through goal setting, choice, and reflection.
Grades K-12 Reading and Dyslexia Intervention
S.P.I.R.E. reaches even students who’ve lost hope they can read. Its teacher-led 10-Step Lesson plan methodically walks them through phonemic awareness and phonics, then spelling, vocabulary, comprehension, and fluency — instilling and reinforcing every stage of reading development.
Social Emotional Learning
CharacterStrong is backed by three levels of evidence supporting social-emotional learning and character education curricula: (1) Randomized controlled studies, (2) Practice-based evidence, and (3) Common elements of evidence-based practice. There is defensible evidence suggesting that CharacterStrong curricula is feasible for teachers to implement, developmentally and culturally appropriate, and grounded in research around effective SEL content and practices that are likely to lead to important student outcomes of interest when delivered with fidelity. On our campus, this curriculum is delivered every Monday during the mentoring period.
Middle School
STEM
PLTW Gateway offerings at West Fork Middle School currently include Design & Modeling, Automation & Robotics, and Computer Science for Innovators and Makers.
The West Fork School District teachers create science content that follows the Arkansas Science Standards.
Open SciEd is an online resource that offers activities and hands-on learning for students that are based in the tenets of the Next Generation Science Standards, integrated by the Arkansas Department of Education.
Math
English Language Arts
Grades 6-12 Core Instruction
myPerspectives is a powerful English language arts curriculum for Grades 6–12 that values the perspective of the learner, collectively and individually, and provides next-gen learning experiences that promote higher achievement and develop the competencies needed for college and career readiness. Interactive learning blends print and technology in a student-centered learning, teacher-inspired classroom. This dynamic Savvas program creates an interactive, engaging, and relevant learning environment through readings, meaningful activities, and purposeful performance tasks. myPerspectives encourages social collaboration as well as student ownership of learning through goal setting, choice, and reflection.
Grades K-12 Reading and Dyslexia Intervention
S.P.I.R.E. reaches even students who’ve lost hope they can read. Its teacher-led 10-Step Lesson plan methodically walks them through phonemic awareness and phonics, then spelling, vocabulary, comprehension, and fluency — instilling and reinforcing every stage of reading development.
Grades K-8 Reading Intervention
Brainspring Learning Centers help students of all ages and skill levels become masters of learning with effective, fun, multisensory lessons.
Social Emotional Learning
CharacterStrong is backed by three levels of evidence supporting social-emotional learning and character education curricula: (1) Randomized controlled studies, (2) Practice-based evidence, and (3) Common elements of evidence-based practice. There is defensible evidence suggesting that CharacterStrong curricula is feasible for teachers to implement, developmentally and culturally appropriate, and grounded in research around effective SEL content and practices that are likely to lead to important student outcomes of interest when delivered with fidelity. On our campus, this curriculum is delivered every Monday during the mentoring period.
Conscious Discipline is a method of providing social emotional learning for students. This method of interacting with students creates a compassionate classroom and school environment. It allows adults to understand student behavior through the Brain State Model. Adults are empowered to respond to each child’s individual needs with wisdom. This approach is proven to increase self-regulation, sense of safety, connection, empathy and intrinsic motivation in both children and adults. In August of 2022, all Kindergarten through 8th grade teachers and staff received Conscious Discipline training.
West Fork Middle School promotes Positive Behavioral Interventions and Support through R.O.A.R. By teaching our students to be Respectful and Responsible, have Ownership of their actions, Aim High and to Respond Positively we are developing a positive school environment. In year two, we are seeing many positive impacts of this program, such as an increase in students’ responsibility and ownership of their personal development, a reduction in discipline referrals and reports of improved building culture.
Elementary School
STEM
PLTW Launch is a program currently implemented in 4th grade at West Fork Elementary. Additions to our elementary Launch program are coming for the 2023-2024 school year.
The West Fork School District teachers create science content that follows the Arkansas Science Standards.
Open SciEd is an online resource that offers activities and hands-on learning for students that are based in the tenets of the Next Generation Science Standards, integrated by the Arkansas Department of Education.
Mystery Science combines digital media with hands-on activities to engage our West Fork Elementary learners in meaningful conversations and lessons about how the world works.
Math
Grade K-12 Core Instruction
“The IM Certified Experience helps teachers catalyze mathematical proficiency with an engaging and inclusive approach that lifts students up to the skills, understandings, and practices that will stay with them for a lifetime.”
Grades K-4 Math Intervention
Bridges in Mathematics is a comprehensive PK–5 curriculum that equips teachers to fully address state standards in a rigorous, engaging, and accessible manner. Students gain a deep understanding of concepts, proficiency with key skills, and the ability to solve complex problems. The curriculum is composed of three distinct but integrated components: Problems & Investigations, Work Places and Number Corner.
English Language Arts
Grades K-5 Core Instruction
Benchmark Workshop
Grades K-12 Reading and Dyslexia Intervention
S.P.I.R.E. reaches even students who’ve lost hope they can read. Its teacher-led 10-Step Lesson plan methodically walks them through phonemic awareness and phonics, then spelling, vocabulary, comprehension, and fluency — instilling and reinforcing every stage of reading development.
Grades K-8 Reading Intervention
Brainspring Learning Centers help students of all ages and skill levels become masters of learning with effective, fun, multisensory lessons.
Social Emotional Learning
Conscious Discipline is a method of providing social emotional learning for students. This method of interacting with students creates a compassionate classroom and school environment. It allows adults to understand student behavior through the Brain State Model. Adults are empowered to respond to each child’s individual needs with wisdom. This approach is proven to increase self-regulation, sense of safety, connection, empathy and intrinsic motivation in both children and adults. In August of 2022, all Kindergarten through 8th grade teachers and staff received Conscious Discipline training.
CharacterStrong is backed by three levels of evidence supporting social-emotional learning and character education curricula: (1) Randomized controlled studies, (2) Practice-based evidence, and (3) Common elements of evidence-based practice. There is defensible evidence suggesting that CharacterStrong curricula is feasible for teachers to implement, developmentally and culturally appropriate, and grounded in research around effective SEL content and practices that are likely to lead to important student outcomes of interest when delivered with fidelity. On our campus, this curriculum is delivered every Monday during the mentoring period.
West Fork Elementary School promotes Positive Behavioral Interventions and Support through R.O.A.R. By teaching our students to be Respectful and Responsible, have Ownership of their actions, Aim High and to Respond Positively we are developing a positive school environment. In year two, we are seeing many positive impacts of this program, such as an increase in students’ responsibility and ownership of their personal development, a reduction in discipline referrals and reports of improved building culture.
Andrea Ward
Faculty Information
Location(s)
West Fork School District
Department(s)
Administration, District Office
Title(s)
Assistant Superintendent of Schools
Contact Information
School Email
School Phone
(479) 839-2231 x5009