Secondary English Language Arts
- Secondary English Language Home
- DESK Standards and Scales
- Graduation Requirements
- Book Evaluation Committee & Approved Lists
- Additional Resources
- About Us/Contact
Secondary English Language Home
DESK Standards and Scales
Proficiency scales are broad descriptions of a student's general ability-level on a specific standard. Teachers use assignment-specific and assessment-specific grading rubrics to determine a student's level, from 0-4, on the proficiency scale.
Davis School District's English teachers use rubrics in grading important assignments and student efforts. This clarity provides a clear expectation of excellence for the student, with an assurance that as they master the concepts focused upon the outcome is certain and expected. Please click here for more detailed information on a sliding scale rubric as applied to a writing assignment.
Rubrics for each of the standards are organized by grade level below.
DESK Standards for English Language Arts
Graduation Requirements
Four units (four years) of English credit are required for graduation.
Three credits must come from the Foundation Courses and one from the Applied/Advanced Courses.
Grades 9-11 Options | English 12 Options | |
---|---|---|
English 9 (required)
|
Full Year Options:English 12 May be a semester or full year:Journalism |
Semester Options:English 12 Writing |
*These courses can also be used for the one Applied/Advanced credit. |
Book Evaluation Committee & Approved Lists
Book Evaluation Committee
The primary purpose of the Book Committee is to review books requested by classroom teachers for approval for whole-class instruction at various levels throughout Davis School District.
We currently have four lists:
- 7+
- 9+
- 11+
- AP/CE/IB. Books on the AP/CE/IB books are to be used in those classes only.
Each year we have at least a few open positions on our evaluation committee, which we advertise through schools throughout the district. If you are interested, please feel free to submit an application each year in April/May to be considered.
- Committee Member Application
- Mission, Norms, and Procedures of the current committee
- Teachers: Submit a book for review
7+ Approved List 9+ Approved List 11+ Approved List AP/CE/IB Approved List
Additional Resources
Collections Textbook
Student Access to Collections Online
Our primary text and instructional anthology in secondary English Language Arts, Collections is available in print through students' classrooms and online at www.my.hrw.com. Students may easily sign in through Clever, as instructed in the link above, the direct website, or will access through Canvas as directed by teachers.
Parents may contact us in Teaching & Learning if they'd like to check out a copy of their student's current Collections anthology.
Research & Writing Assistance
Login Name: online
Password: school
Students may also login through the 'Quicklinks' tab on the home page, select 'students,' and then click 'Utah Online Library.'
OWL has the most up-to-date resources on research and essay formatting.
Writable is a versatile text editor that students may access to work on assignments made by their teachers in any subject. They will login through Clever or by clicking the 'all apps' list in their Microsoft 365 portal.
Scrible is an amazing research assistant all students may access through Clever or by clicking the 'all apps' list in their Microsoft 365 portal.
Sora/Overdrive: eBooks and Audiobooks
Overdrive (DSD Digital Library)
Username: school email
Password: PIN
Sora or Overdrive can also be accessed under the 'Quicklinks' tab under 'Tools' or the through Office 365 by logging in, clicking all apps, and selecting Sora/Overdrive.
ACT Review
Free ACT Practice Websites:
- Shmoop University
- Magic word: BEEHIVE
- From Shmoop's Utah page find your school. Register or login to your account
- 50 Strategies for ACT Test Day
- McGraw Hill ACT Practice
- Crack ACT
- ACT Test Prep
- Test Prep Review
- Number2
- Utah's Online Library
- Learning Express Library
- Search "ACT"
About Us/Contact
Michelle has been a teacher in Davis County for 16 years, at both the junior high and high school levels. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Weber State in English teaching and an MFA from Antioch University Los Angeles in Creative Writing. Before joining the Teaching and Learning department, Michelle taught at Northridge High, Centennial Junior High, and Fairfield Junior High. She has participated in training teachers for the Wasatch Range Writing Project, USBE, and Davis School District.
Dana Kearl
dkearl@dsdmail.net
ELA Office Assistant
801-402-5146