Curriculum and Academic Standards
Curriculum serves as the backbone of our students’ learning experience. Teachers in the Hudson School District work with the Teaching and Learning team to develop rigorous and meaningful curriculum at all levels and for ALL learners.
Vision: The Hudson School District empowers all students to cultivate their talents, embrace their passions, and leverage their learning to impact the world around them.
Mission: We are dedicated to developing caring and contributing community members. We are collectively committed to providing a rigorous, student-centered environment to ensure equitable experiences for all students.
HSD Curriculum Warehouse (EMBARC)
Notice of Academic Standards
What are academic standards?
Hudson Schools’ academic standards identify what students should know and be able to do within given content areas or subjects. Standards serve as goals and guideposts for both classroom instruction and student learning. The standards also help parents and students gain a better understanding of Hudson Schools’ expectations for student learning.
Academic standards provide a critical foundation and framework for Hudson Schools’ sequential curriculum plans and for the Schools’ student assessments in each content area. However, the standards are not an actual classroom curriculum. The curriculum that Hudson Schools implement in the various content areas remains flexible and adaptable, and there are many different instructional techniques and activities that could all be consistent with Hudson Schools’ academic standards. Stated another way, academic standards attempt to identify and focus on the most essential and fundamental aspects of student learning, but they do not attempt to describe all that can or should be taught. A great deal is left to the discretion of curriculum developers and teachers. In addition, Hudson Schools’ adoption and use of academic standards should not be confused with standardized testing of students. While Hudson Schools implements various state and federal testing mandates and also implements various locally-selected student assessments, Hudson Schools’ academic standards do not mandate the use of any specific standardized test or assessment.
Why does Hudson Schools have academic standards?
State law requires all school districts, charter schools, and certain private schools to adopt academic standards in mathematics, science, reading and writing, geography, and history. In addition, Hudson School Board Policy #330 – Curriculum Development and Improvement states:
The Hudson Schools’ curriculum shall be developed to guide and support student learning for the purpose of:
- assisting all students to achieve graduate learner outcomes in skill areas identified in the School Board approved future-focused vision;
- preparing each student for post-secondary success; and
- aligning with the State’s educational standards, goals, expectations and other applicable legal requirements.
The School Board and administrative team believe that identifying and implementing a set of district-wide academic standards in various content areas is highly beneficial to staff, students, and families.
What are the academic standards that will be in effect during this school year?
State law requires that Hudson Schools provide the parents and guardians of all enrolled students with notice of the academic standards in mathematics, science, reading and writing, geography, and history that have been adopted by the School Board and that will be in effect during each school year. Accordingly, Hudson Schools’ academic standards that will be in effect in these specific content areas for this school year are listed below. Electronic links to the detailed version of the applicable standards are provided when available. To the extent a parent or guardian would like to review a copy of any of the standards in an alternative format, please contact the Teaching and Learning Department at 715.377.3705.
Content Area/Subject
| English Language Arts (includes reading and writing) |
Hudson Schools has adopted the Wisconsin Standards for English Language Arts. The standards include:
A complete copy of the standards can be located and reviewed at this link: Wisconsin Standards for English Language Arts |
| Mathematics | Hudson Schools has adopted the Wisconsin Standards for Mathematics. The content standards are organized around domains and clusters which are specified by grade level, kindergarten through grade 8, and by conceptual category at high school. The standards include:
A complete copy of these standards can be located and reviewed at this link: Wisconsin Standards for Mathematics |
| Science | Hudson Schools has adopted the Wisconsin Standards for Science. The science standards include three sections: crosscutting concept standards, science and engineering practice standards, and science and engineering content standards.
A complete copy of these standards can be located and reviewed at this link: Wisconsin Standards for Science |
| Social Studies (includes geography and history) | Hudson Schools has adopted the Wisconsin Standards for Social Studies. The six strands of the social studies standards encompass history, geography, behavioral science, economics, political science, and inquiry practices and processes.
The standards are organized by grade bands: K-2, 3-5, 6-8, and 9-12.. A complete copy of these standards can be located and reviewed at this link: Wisconsin Standards for Social Studies |
| Personal Financial Literacy | Hudson Schools has adopted the Wisconsin Model Academic Standards for Personal Financial Literacy. The standards include:
A complete copy of these standards can be reviewed at this link: Wisconsin’s Model Academic Standards for Personal Financial Literacy |
Has Hudson Schools selected and implemented academic standards in other content areas?
Additional Wisconsin Model Academic Standards can be located and reviewed at this link: Wisconsin Model Academic Standards
Who can I contact for more information about Hudson Schools’ academic standards?
If you have any questions about this notice, please contact the Teaching and Learning Department at 715.377.3705.
This notice is issued pursuant to section 120.12(13) of the state statutes.