Loudoun County Public Schools
Department of Instruction
Advancing Teaching, Improving Learning
Creating programs and practices to eliminate disparity in achievement, acceptance, and appreciation within and among all racial, cultural, gender and socio-economic groups.
Message from the Assistant Superintendent for Instruction
Welcome to the Department of Instruction (DOI) in Loudoun County Public Schools (LCPS). Our seven
divisions and twenty-nine offices provide services for one purpose – to support student learning. In order to achieve our purpose, our supervisors and specialists work directly with teachers in the areas of
curriculum and instruction and our directors supervise principals to ensure excellent instructional leadership and effective management of school operations.
DOI staff continually use data to monitor division and school level performance. Through ongoing professional development based on educational research and the power of the “LCPS Data Warehouse,”
school administrators and teachers have become quite sophisticated in using multiple sources of information to guide instructional practices.
All of the activities in our department depend upon open, two-way communication with the local schools
in order for our services to remain relevant to student learning. Every plan or action is assessed according the fundamental question, “How will this enhance student learning?”
We welcome comments and questions to any of the DOI staff. The complete listing of contacts can be
found on the LCPS website at www.lcps.org.
Sharon D. Ackerman
Assistant Superintendent for Instruction
Loudoun County Public Schools
About the Department of Instruction
The Department of Instruction provides leadership, support, direction and resources in
the areas of curriculum, instruction and assessment to create a climate of success for all learners.
Core Values
Strive to create positive collaborative school climates
Establish caring relationships
Demonstrate high expectations
Incorporate responsive instructional strategies
Maintain inclusive parent and
community engagement
Use data to drive improvement
and instructional program decisions
Goals and Direction
All students are challenged with rigorous
curriculum and instruction.
All teachers are equipped to differentiate
instruction and assessment to meet student needs.
Virtually every student experiences at least
one Advanced Placement (AP) course.
Students of all races and ethnic backgrounds are represented in equitable proportions in advanced courses, awards and
scholarships.
Reduce gender and race disparities in suspensions and expulsions.
Vision & Leadership
Office Priorities
The Office of Elementary Education will
provide professional development and guidance to develop more consistent assessment
and grading practices using the CLARITY instructional management system.
The Office of High School Education initiatives include refining assessment and grading
practices for increased student learning; expanded implementation of CLARITY; and work
to ensure that every student will graduate from
LCPS with the 21st century skills necessary to
excel as a responsible member of the world
community.
The Office of Middle School Education
will expand the "College in Six" program to
include college knowledge and readiness activities in the seventh and sixth grade.
The Office of Instructional Services will
enhance the teacher induction, mentoring, and
coaching program; expand support for technology initiatives for digital content creation and
distribution; and begin implementation of the
new 5-year LCPS technology plan.
The Office of Career and Technical Education will continue the growth of the Loudoun Governor's Career and Technical Academy and support Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) programs.
The Office of Research will enhance services
to provide data and tools for data driven decision making related to school improvement
(SkoVision), program evaluation, accountability
and student achievement.
The Office of Curriculum and Instruction will create and distribute curriculum
materials and expand assessment resources
within CLARITY.
Measures of Success
SOL Pass Rate 2010-11*
92%
91%
ENG MAT
94%
SCI
90%
Student AP Enrollment 2010-11*
95%
55%
67%
35%
38%
H
B
W
SOC WTG
*Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP)
A
55%
52%
M
All
*By race—W: White; H: Hispanic; B: Black; A: Asian; M: Multiple Races
8th Grade Completion of Algebra I or Higher 2010-11
43%
57%
Percent of 8th grade students passing an
advanced math course
DOI Initiatives
New in 2011-12
Launch Virtual Loudoun— online secondary courses and digital content
Redesign the LCPS DOI website to improve communication
Implement Phase III of CLARITY: Refining Assessment Practices for all schools
Prepare for the LCPS Parent Portal to open Fall 2012
Implement school-business partnerships with JASON project and Apple Federal
Credit Union
DOI Leadership
Shirley L. Bazdar,
Director, Career and
Technical & Adult
Education
W. Michael Martin, Ed.D.,
Director, Elementary School
Education
Preston L. Coppels,
Director, Instructional
Services
Barbara P. Nichols,
Director, Middle
School Education
Stephan F. Knobloch, Ed.D.,
Director, Research
David A. Spage,
Director, High
School Education
Department of Instruction
Loudoun County Public Schools
21000 Education Ct.
Ashburn, VA, 20148
571-252-1300
www.lcps.org
Cover art by Joseph Eastman, Hillsboro Elementary School
Eric L. Stewart,
Director, Curriculum and Instruction