Curriculum, Instruction & Assessment

Young students walking into school in a single file line

Welcome to the Curriculum, Instruction & Assessment department at Garfield Re-2!

We're here to help students succeed and improve school performance. We use creative methods and tools to have a positive influence on both students and staff.

We believe that working together and having a complete education is the secret to unlocking your superpowers. We're always here to support and empower students, teachers, and leaders on their journey to reaching their goals. Let's make learning an amazing adventure together!

Our Goals:

The Curriculum, Instruction & Assessment department at Garfield Re-2 is all about teamwork! We collaborate with students, teachers, and leaders to strengthen our teaching and learning abilities. Our ultimate goal is to create a supportive environment where everyone can grow and succeed! To guide our approach, we use a framework called Impact Cycles for Best First Instruction. It helps us discover the most effective ways to learn and have fun together. Join us on this exciting journey as we unlock our full potential and make education an amazing experience!

Colorado State Seal of Biliteracy:

Garfield Re-2 is proud to be able to offer the Colorado State Seal of Biliteracy to students who graduate from the Re-2 school district. Only 55 districts in the state of Colorado offer this credential. The State Seal of Biliteracy (SSB) is a prestigious, gold-seal credential awarded to high school graduates who demonstrate high proficiency in English and one or more additional world languages.

Here is the link to the CDE requirements: https://ed.cde.state.co.us/clde/high-school-diploma-endorsement-for-biliteracy

Qualifications to be eligible for the State SEAL in Re-2 include:

Demonstrate proficiency or higher in English by completing all of the English Language Arts (ELA) coursework required for graduation with an overall grade point average of at least 3.0 in the required ELA courses.

One of the listed requirements below:

Scoring 470 or higher on the SAT section of "Evidence-Based Reading and Writing"
Scoring 3 or higher on the Advanced Placement (AP) English Language and Composition or the AP English Literature and Composition exam
Scoring 4 or higher on the English A, English Literature A or English A1 of the International Baccalaureate exam

AND

Demonstrate proficiency or higher in a World Language (WL) by completing one of the listed requirements below:

Scoring 3 or higher on the World Language AP Exam
Scoring 4 or higher on the World Language IB Exam
Successfully completing a 4-year high school course of study of a single World Language with an overall grade-point average of at least 3.0
Achieving a passing score on a nationally recognized test

Garfield Re-2 will offer the AAPPL (Assessment of Performance toward Proficiency in Languages) as the World Language Advanced Placement Exam.

Contact Simone Richardson with any questions.

In Colorado, the Seal of Biliteracy is a prestigious diploma endorsement that provides students with a competitive edge in both higher education and the workforce.

Academic and Educational Benefits:

College Admissions: It serves as an official credential on transcripts, signaling to college admissions that a student possesses high-level communication and cognitive skills.
University Credit: Many Colorado institutions, such as those in the Jeffco Public Schools network, may grant college credit or advanced placement in language courses for seal recipients.
Scholarship Opportunities: The seal can make students more competitive for specific scholarships and grants.
Graduation Recognition: Students are often honored at graduation with specific honor cords or a gold embossed seal on their diplomas.

Career and Financial Benefits:

Increased Earning Potential: Bilingual employees in the U.S. can earn between 5% and 20% more per hour than monolingual staff.
Marketability: It provides a verifiable way for employers to identify candidates with the cultural and linguistic skills needed for a globalized economy.
Expanding Job Sectors: Demand for bilingual candidates in Colorado has surged in industries like healthcare (up 361.7%), education (up 193.2%), and government (up 240%).

Personal and Cultural Growth:

Cognitive Skills: Developing biliteracy is linked to improved memory, problem-solving, and creative thinking.
Cultural Identity: For many, the seal honors and validates their heritage language and cultural background while mastering English.

Garfield Re-2 Earns Certification to Offer the Colorado Seal of Biliteracy

Garfield Re-2 is proud to announce that the district is now certified to award the Colorado Seal of Biliteracy, a prestigious credential recognizing high school graduates who demonstrate strong proficiency in English and at least one additional language. Only 55 school districts in Colorado currently offer this distinction.

Beginning with upcoming graduating classes, eligible students from Rifle High School and Coal Ridge High School will have the opportunity to earn the gold Seal of Biliteracy on their diploma and transcript. The credential recognizes students who have developed advanced reading, writing, and speaking skills in multiple languages.

To qualify, students must demonstrate strong academic performance in English and show proficiency in another language through coursework, advanced exams, or nationally recognized language assessments. Garfield Re-2 will offer the AAPPL (Assessment of Performance toward Proficiency in Languages) as one pathway for students to demonstrate world language proficiency.

The Seal of Biliteracy reflects the district’s commitment to preparing students for success in a connected world. Colleges and employers increasingly value graduates who can communicate across languages and cultures, and this credential allows students to showcase those skills.

For many students, the seal also honors the work of maintaining heritage languages while mastering English—an accomplishment that reflects both academic dedication and cultural pride.

Students interested in pursuing the Seal of Biliteracy should speak with their school counselor, World Language teacher, or English Language Development teacher to learn more about requirements and application timelines.

https://ed.cde.state.co.us/clde/high-school-diploma-endorsement-for-biliteracy

For additional information, families can contact Simone Richardson at srichardson@garfieldre2.net.