Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC)

Friday, March 20 - 9:00 am

This year, California, in addition to 20 other states, will administer the Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC) test to students in grades 3-12.  The SBAC is one of two nationally developed assessments for the Common Core Standards and represents a clear departure from the previous assessment (CST/STAR). 

The March 20th EDTalk will provide information about the development, administration and scoring of the SBAC.  In addition to sharing this information, participants will have an opportunity to experience this assessment first hand.

Click here to register for this event.

31st Annual Margaret Thompson Historical Essay Contest

2015 Theme:  "Inventors and Risk-Takers Help Make Our Community a Better Place"

The Los Altos Historical Commission and the Los Altos History Museum are co-sponsoring the 31st annual Margaret Thompson Historical Essay Contest, open to third- through sixth-graders who live in the area and/or attend local schools.

The theme of this year’s contest highlights the museum’s current exhibition, “Silicon Valley: The Lure & the Legends,” which explores the transition of the Valley of Heart’s Delight from orchards to oscillators and reveals the inventors and risk-takers behind the evolution.

The deadline to submit essays is March 6. Public school students should submit their entries to Los Altos School District teachers. For the detailed essay prompt, click here. For general instructions, click here. For the essay rubric, click here.

For more information, visit losaltoshistory.org.

SBAC (SMARTER Balanced Assessment Consortium) Testing

The LASD testing window has been defined for 2015 spring testing.  The testing window begins Monday, April 20th and continues through Friday, May 8th.  This 3-week window allows ample time for schools to complete the testing, including make-ups.  As a reminder, students in grades 3-8 will complete assessments for Mathematics and English/Language Arts.  Schools will create their specific schedules within this window.  Questions concerning actual dates within this window should be addressed at individual school sites.

Common Core Math and LASD

Friday, February 6 - 9:00 am

Los Altos School District is integrating the new Common Core Standards into our educational programs.  This EdTalk will provide information that separates Common Core myth from fact.  Discussion will center around LASD's approach to the Common Core to assure that all students are mathematically prepared for grade level progression.

Common Core builds mathematical reasoning and critical thinking through problem solving strategies that are relevant to everyday life.  The eight common core mathematical practices remain the same in grades K-12 to build a solid foundational understanding.

Join us as we share information, try some hands-on math, and provide an opportunity to have your questions answered.

Click here to register for this event.

The District is accepting applications for membership on the Citizens Oversight Committee.  Click here for more information about the Committee and the application form.

Let's CODE Together

Computer Science Education Week

December 8 - 12, 2014

Click here to get more information about the Hour of Code

On August 4, the Los Altos School District board voted unanimously to place Measure N on the ballot for the November 4 general election.  Click here to view the final approved resolution that was amended at the August 4 board meeting.

Under California's new local control funding scheme, all school districts are required to complete a Local Control & Accountability Plan (LCAP) that represents their spending plans on services for students including identified sub groups of students.  Each district must engage and involve its constituents (stakeholders) in the development of its LCAP and make a copy of the plan available to the public for review and comment.  The LCAP must be adopted by the district's Board of Trustees following a public hearing at the same meeting it adopts its 2014-2015 budget.

Click here for a draft of LASD's LCAP, which is scheduled for adoption on June 23, 2014.  If you wish to comment on the LCAP, please send your comments to Superintendent Jeff Baier at jbaier@lasdschools.org.

Notice of Intent to Adopt a Mitigated Negative Declaration for Los Altos School District: Final Facilities Offer to Bullis Charter School for 2014-2015

Notice is hereby given that the Los Altos School District (LASD), acting as Lead Agency under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), has prepared an Initial Study and based thereon intends to adopt a Mitigated Negative Declaration for the subject project.  The review period for the Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration extends from March 1, 2014 through March 20, 2014.

The Draft Initial Study and Mitigated Negative Declaration can be found in our Public Notices section of the website.

Click here for the agenda of the LASD-BCS Sub-Committee Joint Meeting on 2013-2014 FUA and Long Term Agreements.  The meeting is Wednesday, October 30 at 7:00 pm, Town Hall Council Chambers, Los Altos Hills.