Curriculum, Instruction & Assessments
Welcome
Welcome to the Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment page for the South Jefferson Central School District. Grounded in the traditions and values of our Spartan community, we remain steadfast in our mission: working in partnership with our supportive families and community to provide a safe, positive learning environment that engages, challenges, and nurtures every student academically, socially and emotionally.
As education evolves across New York State, our faculty, staff, and administration are working together to transform our educational program so that students are fully prepared for tomorrow. Through the state's NY Inspires initiative, we are aligning learning experiences with the District's prioritized standards and the New York State Portrait of a Graduate, setting clear goals for what graduates should know and be able to do.
To bring this vision to life, we are examining our courses and credits, our learning experiences, and the ways we measure student learning. Beginning in 2027-28, New York State will move away from requiring Regents exams for graduation and offer multiple measures for students to demonstrate proficiency, with Regents exams continuing as one option. We welcome this change because high expectations have never depended on a single test. They depend on asking students to show deep, real understanding, and multiple measures give more of them the chance to do that. As the state moves to one unified diploma, we will also recognize advanced achievement and specialized pathways through distinct seals and endorsements.
Together, as educators, families, and community partners, we are bridging tradition with innovative instruction to empower our students to thrive in college, career and life.
Resources and Updates from NYSED
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Coming soon
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NYSED Inspires Transformation Summary
Policy Change Overview: Starting in the 2027–2028 school year, New York State is eliminating separate diploma assessment requirements (e.g., 4+1 Regents exams) and consolidating its three existing diploma options into a single high school diploma.
Effective Date: The new single-diploma system and the end of diploma assessment requirements will apply to students graduating in January 2028 or later.
Role of Regents Exams: Regents examinations will no longer serve as a graduation requirement, though statewide high school assessments will continue to fulfill federal Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) requirements.
Local Assessment Strategies: Schools and districts must create local assessment strategies incorporating diverse measures (e.g., performance- and project-based assessments) and post them publicly during the 2027–2028 school year.
Credit & Graduation Requirements: Credit requirements (such as the 22.5-credit rule) remain unchanged for current high school students until new competency-based requirements take effect in the 2029–2030 school year.
Recognizing Student Achievements: Specializations, unique pathways, and student achievements under the single diploma will be recognized through state and local seals and endorsements.
Immediate Next Steps: Districts are encouraged to form NY Inspires implementation teams, align local programs with the Portrait of a Graduate, refine local assessment strategies, and engage families and community partners. -
NYS Credit Requirements
Subject Units for Regents Units for Advance Regents English 4 4 Social Studies 4 4 Mathematics 3 3 Science 3 3 World Language * 1 3 Health .5 .5 Fine Arts Credit 1 1 Physical Education 2 2 Electives 3.5 1.5 Minimum Units Required 22 22 Regents Diploma Requirements: Students must score a 65 or higher on the following five New York State Regents exams: Algebra, a science, Global History, U.S. History and English.
Advanced Regents Diploma Requirements: Students must score a 65 or higher on the following New York State Regents exams: Algebra, Geometry, Algebra 2, 1 physical and 1 life science, Global History, US History, and English.
** Students who have an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) may have alternative requirements for Regents Testing and diplomas.
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SJCSD High School Course Offerings
Seal of Biliteracy
Seal of Civic Readiness
Middle School Course Offerings 6th - 8th Grades
Grade 6:
ELA, Math/Math Lab, Science, Social Studies
Specials (one a quarter): STEM, Computer Science, Health, Family & Consumer Science
Physical Education (every other day)
Music Requirement: Chorus and/or Band (optional),
Music 6 (if not in either chorus or band)
Grade 7:
ELA/ELA Lab, Math/Math Lab, Science, Social Studies
Special (one a semester): Health, Family & Consumer Science
Physical Education (every other day)
Chorus/Band (optional)
Grade 8:
ELA, Math, Science, Social Studies
World Language (Spanish or French)
Special (one a semester): Technology, Art
Physical Education (every other day)
Chorus/Band (optional)
South Jefferson Central School Priority Learning Standards
Over recent years, the Pre-K - 12th grade faculty have reviewed the NYS Learning Standards and have used a prioritizing process called “REAL” (readiness, endurance, assessments, leverage). Through this process we were able to identify which NYS Learning Standards are essential and which are secondary. The reality is that given all of the learning standards and time constraints, it would be impossible for all students to be proficient in all standards. While the New York State Education Department worked with practitioners to develop the Next Generation Learning Standards, it was incumbent for South Jefferson teachers to work collaboratively to decide what students should know and be able to do when they complete a grade level, a course, and graduate. This work is reflected in our curriculum and instruction and the work continues as we work through the parameters of NY Inspires.