Southeast Polk School District Task Force Advances Teacher Leadership in Curriculum Improvement

The Southeast Polk Community School District is making significant strides in enhancing teacher leadership and improving student outcomes through its ongoing task force initiatives. During the recent board meeting held on August 22, 2025, district leaders shared updates on the progress of these task forces, which are designed to align with the district's improvement goals in key areas such as early literacy, academic core subjects, college and career readiness, and school climate.

The task forces, which include over 90 teacher leaders, have been instrumental in gathering feedback and implementing evidence-based practices to support student learning. Last year, the focus was primarily on understanding the needs within these areas, and the results have already shown a positive impact on student performance. This year, the emphasis will shift towards the implementation of strategies that bridge the gap between knowledge and practice, ensuring that teachers are equipped to effectively support their students.

One notable aspect of the task force work is the inclusion of emergent bilinguals, which has been integrated into all task force areas. This approach aims to provide teachers with the necessary tools and strategies to support these students, fostering an inclusive learning environment.

As the district moves into the second year of this initiative, teacher leaders will continue to collaborate within their task forces for three years, focusing on implementing the strategies identified in the previous year. The district plans to utilize the insights gained from the task force reports at various levels—school, team, and classroom—to enhance educational practices and outcomes.

In response to questions about the composition of the task forces, district leaders confirmed that while many teachers will remain in their current roles, new model teachers have been added to bring fresh perspectives and ideas. This strategic approach aims to build capacity and ensure that the task forces remain dynamic and responsive to the evolving needs of the district.

Overall, the Southeast Polk Community School District is committed to leveraging teacher leadership to drive school improvement and enhance student learning. The positive momentum from the first year of task force work sets a promising foundation for continued progress in the years ahead.