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The Ultimate Guide to Academic Decathalon

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There is no question that extracurricular activities are important to any high schooler’s experience. Students often join clubs or teams that mesh with their outside activities like athletics or the arts. But what about students whose many extracurricular interests are still considered academic?

If you want an intellectually challenging extracurricular experience,  Academic Decathalon might be right for you! AcaDec is a competition that allows high school students to compete against one another and improve their knowledge in many different subject areas, from music to economics to public speaking. AcaDec has a lot to offer its participants,, and it’s a great opportunity to meet other like-minded students who are passionate about acquiring new knowledge and building upon their academic skills! If you think Academic Decathalon might be right for you, read on.

Introduction to Academic Decathalon

Academic Decathlon is an academic competition for high school students. This activity is often abbreviated as just “AcaDec,” (though some regions might refer to it as “AcDec” or “AcaDeca”).

AcDec is run by the nonprofit United States Academic Decathlon Association (USAD). The first ever Academic Decathlon occurred in 1986 in Bolsa Grande, California, and today is still going strong. Although it is mostly based in the United States, it has recently started expanding abroad as well. For more information about the history of Academic Decathalon, you can check out this webpage .

How AcaDec works

In AcaDec, student teams from different high schools meet and compete at the local, state, and national AcaDec competitions. Each year will have a theme around which all events’ topics are centered (the theme for 2016-2017 is World War II).

School teams will study these themes and specific topics relating to them in fields like math or music using curricula that is provided by the overarching US AcaDec organization. Events will include multiple-choice tests in different fields like the aforementioned math and music. Events might also include prepared and impromptu speeches, written essays, interviews with judges, and the Super Quiz (which is a quiz-bowl-type competition that takes place in front of a live audience).

According to the United States Academic Decathalon website, there are 10 events, each of which allows students to:

• Visualize art history
• Participate in an interview
• Experiment with science
• Become versed in languages in literature
• Experience the music
• Master mathematics
• Excel in social science
• Author an essay
• Prepare a speech
• Study economics

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Team and competitive structure of AcaDec

The formal AcaDec team is composed of up to nine students divided into GPA-based groups. The three students on the team with an “A” grade point average are called Honor students, students with a “B” average are Scholastic students, and students with a “C” average are called Varsity students.

School teams might be much larger than the alotted ninestudents, in which case the choice of which nine students get to represent the school in competitions is usually determined by placement examinations.

Members who are not on the formal AcaDec team might still be able to participate in the events at local competitions in order to practice, but their scores typically won’t count towards the formal competition between school teams. Participating in AcaDec as a non-competing member is a good way to get practice without having to worry about affecting your school team’s scores!

In general, teams will first compete at the local level against schools in the nearby area. If your team is successful, you will likely move on to regional, state, or national competitions.

Benefits of participating in AcaDec

There are many upsides to participating in AcaDec as a high school student. First of all, practicing on a team for an academic competition will help to improve your knowledge of certain academic topics, whether they be in the fields of mathematics, literature, or even geology.

AcaDec competitions  also give students practice in performing under pressure. This is an important skill to have for applying to colleges, entering today’s competitive job market, and many other occasions in your life. Though nervousness is a natural part of any activity that involves presenting a speech in front of many people or taking a timed multiple choice test, practicing these types of scenarios in AcaDec will help you develop strategies to conquer nervous feelings before an important interview or a presentation at work.

There is also the opportunity for students in Academic Decathalon to take on different leadership roles and responsibilities. As with any academic team, there is a designated team captain and depending on your team there may be deputy captains as well. You can choose to take on as much responsibility as you want, keeping in mind that this might be a good opportunity to build upon and improve your leadership skills.

Another benefit is that AcaDec is a well-respected extracurricular with which colleges are familiar. When it comes time to apply to schools and list your extracurriculars,  colleges will already have context as to what this activity is and the amount of time and effort that students are expected to devote to it.

Lastly, Academic Decathalon is a competitive activity in which you are rewarded in a tangible way for good performance and for investing your time in this activity. This will be helpful when it comes time to recount your accomplishments on college applications.

Learning more

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Is Academic Decathlon Worth It? Everything You Need To Know

Indigo Research Team

Facing fears like public speaking and pushing personal limits can be daunting, especially for young individuals making their way to college. How about we tell you there's a unique way to tackle these challenges before college? Enter the Academic Decathlon, often known as "AcDec." This decathlon provides high school students with the chance to move forward academically, tackling college-level material through team competition. Beyond polishing comprehensive intellectual growth, this demanding competition offers participants a platform to showcase their talents and knowledge across a really diverse range of disciplines. Moreover, the Academic Decathlon Competition provides students with invaluable life skills, making it a beneficial experience for both participants and the community as a whole. The U.S. Academic Decathlon tasks teams with delving into a given theme. Academic Decathlon Past Themes included subjects ranging from science to art. Then, the teams are required to construct compelling arguments that they will then debate against other high-achieving students nationwide, all competing for medals and recognition. ‍

Every year, the decathlon selects a new theme for students nationwide to compete in, making each year's competition unique. Students can take part in the decathlon multiple times, encountering different themes to master over the years. For the 2020-2021 curricular year, the U.S. Academic Decathlon theme was The Cold War. So, in academic decathlon subjects, specific general topics are chosen to align with The Cold War. For example, literature involved critical reading of Cat's Cradle by Kurt Vonnegut Jr. and other shorter works. When it comes to art, it concentrated on art fundamentals and explored art during the Cold War. For Music, it highlighted musical works from the Cold War era and so on. This year the theme is Technology and Humanity and the deadline to apply National Academic Decathlon 2024 is 15th February 2024. 

‍ About the Academic Decathlon

The Academic Decathlon Events consist of five main events. Let's look at them in detail -  

The first one is about speaking. Decathletes talk for up to four minutes about a topic they choose. For the academic Decathlon prepared speech topics, it's suggested to pick a topic early and practice a lot.

After that, they have to speak without preparation for up to two minutes on a surprise topic. How you handle pressure in this situation shows what kind of leader you are, and this might be something college admissions people are interested in. ‍

After the speech event, the second event is the essay competition. In this part, Decathletes get 50 minutes to write the best essay they can. It's crucial to study the given theme so that you have enough information to write about it. ‍

3. Interview

In the interview section of Academic Decathlon, Decathletes get seven minutes to respond to questions about themselves. Similar to the process of applying to college, Decathletes must showcase personal qualities that both admissions counselors and judges find appealing. 

It's important to consider your background, interests, and goals during this part of the competition. ‍

4. Test of Knowledge

In the Knowledge Tests, Decathletes have seven multiple-choice exams covering different subjects like Art, Music, Social Science, Science, Economics, Literature, and Mathematics. 

Good academic decathlon scores help Decathletes get better at thinking critically and answering test questions. It's not just useful for the decathlon but also for other big tests like the SAT and AP exams. 

5. Super Quiz

Lastly, there's the super quiz, where decathletes and their eight teammates take turns tackling multiple-choice challenges in front of a live audience. 

If you make it to the nationals final, you work together with two teammates to find the best answer to each question before time runs out.

So the question arises: is academic Decathlon hard? Well, it's not exactly like a walk in the park, but with the right resources and practice, you can ace it. 

Eligibility Criteria

A team in the Academic Decathlon has nine students from grades nine to twelve, all from the same high school. The team is divided into three groups: honors (top GPA), scholastic (middle GPA), and varsity (lower GPA). 

It's important to start participating in the Decathlon early, from the ninth grade, to compete more and to have credits to list on your college application.

Each team member takes part in all ten events. The scoring considers six out of the nine members, with two from each GPA category. Schools can join with fewer than nine students, but they need to have representatives from each GPA group.

To show that teams are eligible, high schools send their student's academic records to the United States Academic Decathlon.

And if you are asking yourself, is academic Decathlon good for college? Being part of the Academic Decathlon can really help a student's chances of getting into college and getting scholarships. People who decide who gets into college and who gets scholarships understand that it takes hard work, a lot of effort, and being smart to do well in this contest.

Titles To Be Won 

There are different categories for which decathletes can win titles. There are 3 different divisions: first, second, and third for winners. Then there is the Rookie of the Year, Kristin Caperton Award, Founders Scholarship, Most Improved Student, Norman Katz Scholarship, B. Franklin Reinauer II Economics Priize and Edwin Reaves, and Esq. Social Science Prize

Final Thoughts!

It's crucial to seek out new challenges during high school, even if you've never experienced teamwork or public speaking. High school is an ideal time to develop skills and earn recognition, especially through a national program like the Academic Decathlon. 

Pushing yourself not only enhances your chances in college admissions but also contributes to your personal growth.

Engaging in the Academic Decathlon is an excellent opportunity to explore unfamiliar subjects, discover more about yourself, enhance your resume, and also maybe make new friends. 

The decathlon is a perfect extracurricular activity for high school students that not only gives them extra credits and scholarships but also helps them get admission to top universities. 

If you are looking for another great alternative for a standout extracurricular activity, consider the IRIS Program by Indigo Research. Designed as an intensive research program for high school students, it runs from March 2 to June 2, 2024. By joining IRIS, you'll not only earn a certificate and transferable credits but also receive a transcript from the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB). Plus, it's a fantastic opportunity to gain an edge in your college application journey.

Is Academic Decathlon worth it?

Yes, Academic Decathlon is worth it. It's a challenging and interesting experience that helps you learn new skills like speaking in public and working in a team. 

Being part of it can improve your college applications because it shows you're serious about doing well in school. You also get to learn about different subjects and grow as a person. 

Overall, it depends on what you want, but many students enjoy it and find it rewarding.

Is Academic Decathlon prestigious?

Yes, the Academic Decathlon is prestigious and has gained global recognition for its high standards, prestige, and outstanding quality.

What are the benefits of Academic Decathlon?

‍ The benefits of Academic Decathlon include polishing a student's skills when it comes to public speaking, research, and reasoning while instilling the value of teamwork in them.

Is Academic Decathlon an extracurricular activity?

Yes, the academic Decathlon is an extracurricular activity that is intellectually challenging. 

What school has the best Academic Decathlon?

The school that has the best Academic Decathlon is Granada Hills. It has been incredibly successful in the Academic Decathlon, securing the top spot in the national rankings in 7 out of the last nine competitions.

What GPA do you need for the Academic Decathlon?

Students from every GPA bracket can apply for the academic Decathlon. 

What do students do in Academic Decathlon?

Students debate, take quizzes and general tests, and, most importantly, network in the academic Decathlon.

Does Academic Decathlon give scholarships?

Yes, the Academic Decathlon gives scholarships. There is a Founders Scholarship and a Norman Katz Scholarship that students can obtain. 

How many people are in the Academic Decathlon?

The number of people in a team is 9. You can participate with a lesser number of participants, but you need a participant from every GPA bracket.

Is Academic Decathlon national?

Yes, it is a national event held in the United States every year.

Who won the 2023 Academic Decathlon?

El Camino Real Charter High School won the 2023 academic decathlon, marking their ninth victory.

Is Academic Decathlon a class?

No, it's a competition. Academic Decathlon is a nationwide program focused on academic excellence in high schools. It's a class as well as a club. All the competitions are open to all high school students regardless of their club or class status. And the final team of nine high school students who compete is a combination of both. 

Academic Decathlon: Is it worth it for application?

Yes, Academic Decathlon is worth it for application because taking part in it can really help you get into college and win scholarships. Colleges and organizations that give out academic decathlon scholarships appreciate the effort, commitment, and smarts it takes to do well in this competition. 

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United States Academic Decathlon ( USAD ) is a ten-event scholastic competition for teams of high school students. Pentathlon is a five-event scholastic competition for middle school students, providing the benefits of Academic Decathlon along with the challenges of rigorous team and individual competition.

The theme for the 2023-2024 season is Technology & Humanity.

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• Curriculum Boosters

Teach the curriculum with Resource Guides . They are thoroughly researched, written by subject experts in clear, engaging prose, and formatted for ease of use. Special resource kits are available in prepared speech, impromptu speech, interview, essay and critical reading.

Outline-style Power Guides™ review every testable detail in each event. Written only by Decathletes who’ve scored 8,000+, they are bold, efficient, and comprehensive.

Cram Kits organize key facts, most likely questions, and “things you probably forgot” in easy-to-use tables and lists for that last-minute crunch.

Workbooks teach the official booklets through a combination of exercises, activities, and tutorial segments. Workbooks also include all the necessary research components.

Focused Quizzes & Exams divide each event into smaller sections—quizzes into very small sections, such as individual poems or Super Quiz ® articles, exams into larger sections.

Comprehensive Exams are full-length simulated Decathlon tests modeled in coverage and style after those found at the competition.

At DemiDec we write 10,000 flashcards covering all seven objective events. Each card is on genuine business card stock, with a question on front and answer on back. Each also includes a reference to the curriculum for easy review. Flashcard CD-ROMS

Our smart DemiFlash CD-ROMs keep track of what students are learning and can be used to create printouts, too.

Choose your favorite format, cardstock or a set of 10 CD-ROMs, or order both.

• 300 cards in Math. 1200 cards in Economics.
• 1500 cards in Art.
• 1500 cards in Music.
• 1500 cards in Social Science.

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The Academic Decathlon – How to Prepare for the USAD Test

Academic competitions are common. There are spelling bees and robotic competitions on a national level, for example. There are school-wide, regional, and state competitions. One of the most interesting national academic competitions is the Academic Decathlon, a product of the U.S. Academic Decathlon Association (USAD).

The competition was created in 1968 by the Superintendent of Schools for Orange Country, California just for California. It was later expanded to a national competition, and today most states and a few international schools now participate.

What is Unique About the Academic Decathlon

Most competitions involve the very best students that schools can put together as competitors. But this one is different, in the following ways:

• Each team is made up of 9 students. 3 are considered “honors” with GPA’s between 3.75-4.0; 3 are named “scholastic, with GPA’s between 3 – 3.74; 3 are named “varsity” with GPA’s of 0.00 – 2.99).
• There are ten events, and all students compete as individuals in their classified divisions. Team scores are determined by taking top scores from each division in each of the events and then added up for a total score for the team.
• Competitions begin at the local level, and the winning team from each state then moves on to the national competition.

Tests of the Competition

The ten events of USAD cover all academic disciplines that typical high school students study. These are as follows:

• 7 multiple-choice tests in language & literature, math, science, social studies, economics, art and music.
• There is a Super Quiz that is either in science or social studies
• There is an essay to write, based upon optional prompts
• Each student must prepare a speech on a pre-selected topic
• Each student will be interviewed by judges.

Obviously, the multiple-choice tests are objective measurements. The other three events are assessed subjectively by the judges, although the judging criteria is published on the organization’s website .

Students don’t Go In “Blind”

Every year the organization publishes its curriculum in every subject on its website. This provides students with an outline of the skills and content to be included in the 7 objective tests. This curriculum is developed by a 10-member panel. Anyone contributing to the curriculum must have a Bachelor’s degree in the subject. Once the curriculum is created, it is then checked by others for accuracy.

There is also a USAD “theme” developed for each year, and the tests all relate to the theme. In the language and literature section, for example, a novel or set of plays is selected each year and provided to students. In music and art, students are provided with specific works that they must research and study. If, for example, the theme were to be “Africa,” as it was one year, social studies, language and literature, economics, art, and music tests will all relate to that continent, and contestants are provided specific topics to study.

The Subjective Portions of the Competition

As the term implies, there are no right or wrong answers to these parts of the event.

• Speech : This event is divided into two parts. The first is a prepared speech on a pre-provided topic, and it is to be 3 ½ - 4 minutes long. The second part is an impromptu speech. Contestants are given three optional prompts, choose one, and then deliver a 1 ½ - 2minute speech on that topic.
• The Interview : This is a formal event, during which the student is asked a series of questions and expected to respond. Questions have included such things as “Who is your role model and why?”

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How to Prepare for the USAD Test

There is a wealth of information published and updated each year on the organization’s website. This includes the theme and “curriculum” in each of the seven objective testing content areas. Information is released according to a calendar. For the 2017-2018 USAD competition, for example, the theme and general topic was posted March 1, 2018; the outlines for each curricular topic area on May 1; and more specific curriculum materials (e.g., study guides) will began to be shipped out to team coaches and state directors on May 15. The competition takes place in November, 2018, giving teams the summer months to spend time in strong preparation.

Materials for Study – The Objective Multiple-Choice Tests

The study materials that are provided by the USAD, including the topic areas and outlines are all free and can be downloaded from the website, and this is a good start for preparation.

The more specific study materials – resource guides, study guides, etc. must be purchased by each team, and the cost is $1000. While there have been lots of complaints about charging for these materials, the organization claims that it has to in order to meet its over $1 million budget each year. This can put an additional burden on schools and school districts that are from poorer areas, and that has been a point of controversy.

There are also USAD practice tests that are developed each year by third-party for-profit companies. These are sold to teams, and, when schools are able to provide this kind of financial support, the tests can be a big help. The USAD does not support or encourage the purchase of the practice tests; however, they are well-done and can give a team a pretty big advantage. Any time students have the opportunity to take practice test, research shows that they do better on the real thing.

With all of this information and all of these study materials, most teams can be well-prepared for the objective testing events, provided they have a good coach and they spend a lot of time studying the material.

The objective tests are very fact-based and do not require critical or creative thinking. It is really a matter of memorization. Because of this, a number of educational associations, such as the ASCD, have criticized the objective portion of the event. The criticism relates to the fact that students are basically engaged in straight memorization of facts rather than any higher-level thinking skills, such as application, analysis, or synthesis. The Association’s response is that, because the event is theme-based, students will become “experts” of sorts on those wider curricular areas and will have a knowledge base that they would not get in a regular school curricular environment.

Materials for Study – The Subjective Portion of Testing

No one can completely prepare for this portion of the event. However, given that the USAD theme for each year is published, and given that the essay and speech prompts will all relate to this theme, preparation can be in the following forms:

• For the essay portion of the exam, students can review and study essay samples in the general topical theme areas. And just as they would practice for an ACT or SAT essay, they should write several essays on their own that also relate to the theme and the language and literature and super quiz curricula.
• Speech Preparation: The ability to deliver a good speech is as much about self-confidence as it is about the content. Students should practice preparing and delivering speeches on the thematic topic areas of course. It is the impromptu speech event that will probably present the greatest challenge. But there are tactics and strategies that can be learned and practiced. During the time they have to prepare for USAF test, students should be given topics from their coaches that relate to the theme and take the one-minute of allowed preparation time to gather their thoughts.

The most important parts of any speech are the opening and the ending. Practice using your minute of allowed preparation time to craft a great opening sentence and a solid ending. These will be the most memorable. Again, practice is the one thing that will get you over that anxiety and nervousness.

• The Interview: you will not be able to anticipate the questions you might be asked in a formal interview situation. The key to success, though, will be in your ability to stay calm, focused, and poised. Again, the key to a successful interview is practice. Your USAD coach should set up several interview sessions and ask difficult questions. Your goal is to take a minute, think about the question being asked, and form a response that relates directly to that question. Part of evaluating your performance will be your ability to stick to the topic of the question, to speak clearly and with confidence, and to keep your response relatively brief. The biggest mistake that people make during interviews is veering off topic and giving an answer that is disjointed and incoherent.

Outside Research – It is Valuable

You have the outlines and the study guide and resource materials. You know what the theme is. This year, for example, it is Africa. So, how much do you really know about Africa – it’s history, its development, it political, economic and social challenges? Most high schools do not offer a course in African studies, so you may not know much.

You can take the study guides and gain a lot of factual information about Africa, but do you really have a solid, general understanding of the continent? Chances are you don’t. Take some time during the summer months before the competition to make Africa your focus of study. There is an amazing amount of online resources about this continent and the richness of its history, geography, and societies. Your goal should be to get a broad base of general knowledge, so that the factual information you may need to memorize actually makes sense to you.

For example, you can access the National Geographic website and find a huge amount of information about Africa. In fact, there is a TV series on our African beginnings, narrated by Morgan Freeman, that is soon to start. Likewise, there are news stories about Africa published daily by online news organizations.

The more general knowledge you can absorb about Africa, the more you will be able to appear as an “expert,” especially during the subjective portions of the event. You just never know when you may be able to throw in some information you have about Africa that will impress the judges.

Above All – Take the Time You Need

When you study for final exams, you have two choices. You can organize your material regularly throughout the semester and study a bit at a time. Or, you can “cram” at the last minute, perhaps 1-2 days before that exam and get help from essay services . Students who choose either option can be successful and get good exam grades.

But preparing for the Academic Decathlon is different. It’s not like a final exam in history or social studies that covers a finite amount of material. It is an examination that covers all content areas. There is no way to “cram” at the last minute.

Fortunately, your team will have a coach who will prepare a schedule of work and study over a longer period of time. You can study and learn in a relatively stress-free environment, and this means that you will retain much of what you learn long-term. So, if you study a piece of literature without the stress of an immediate exam, that more relaxed environment allows you to absorb information, to think critically about the piece, and to “cement” your understanding.

Likewise, the longer preparation time will allow lots of practice for the subjective parts of the event – those speeches, the interview, and that essay. In these areas, it is practice, not study, that will make the difference.

Above all, you need to understand that you are a part of a team with a coach. While you will be scored on your individual performance, it is important that you have the mindset of being a member of a team. Each member’s accomplishments should be encouraged and applauded – that’s what teamwork is all about.

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    More About the                    Decathlon

The Academic Decathlon is a series of interscholastic competitions for high school teams nationwide. The Decathlon encourages, recognizes and rewards academic effort and excellence. 

The Decathlon tests knowledge and academic skills - but isn’t just for the class genius. One of the unique features of the Decathlon is that each team represents a range of achievement levels.

The competition team consists of three students who have "A" averages, three with "B" averages and three with "C" averages. The alternate team consists of up to nine students with no specific averages.

 To prepare for competition, the team members begin working and studying together early in the fall. On competition day, all nine team members participate in the same events and are judged by the same criteria. The team’s final score depends on the performances of ALL its members.  

Experience Success as a Team!

~Hillside High School Academic Decathlon Team

2023 Region I State Qualifiers...

*Rutherford High School

*Hackensack High School

*Bergenfield High School

*Hillside High School

*Ridgefield Memorial High School

2023 Region II State Qualifiers...

*Indian Hills High School

*Westwood High School

*Kinnelon High School

*Ramapo High School

*Mahwah High School

2023 Region III State Qualifiers...

*Clifton High School

*Hanover Park High School

*WWindsor Plainsboro North HS

*Fair Lawn High School

*Morristown High School

*Donovan Catholic High School

2023 USAD National Qualifiers...

CURRICULUM STANDARDS

THE UNITED STATES ACADEMIC DECATHLON® AND CURRICULUM AND CONTENT STANDARDS OVERVIEW

The United States Academic Decathlon’s curriculum is an interdisciplinary curriculum in which a selected theme is integrated across six different subject areas: art, economics, literature, music, science, and social science. Students also study mathematics and participate in essay-writing, speech, and interview events. The theme for the 2022–2023 U.S. Academic Decathlon® (USAD) curriculum is The American Revolution and the New Nation. While in most subjects the majority of the topics relate to the overall curricular theme, some topics that cover fundamentals may also be included to encourage a thorough understanding of the subject area as a whole. The USAD mathematics curriculum is unrelated to the theme and focuses on standard high school mathematics topics. This document provides a summary of the Common Core Standards for high school Mathematics and Reading that are addressed in USAD’s 2022–2023 curriculum as well as the national content standards met by USAD’s 2022–2023 curriculum.

THE UNITED STATES ACADEMIC DECATHLON’ S CURRICULUM AND THE COMMON CORE STANDARDS

Standards Background The Common Core State Standards Initiative is a state-led effort to establish a common set of educational standards for English language arts and mathematics. The standards aim to ensure that students graduating from high school are prepared to attend college or enter the workforce. The Common Core Standards were developed by states and content experts under the guidance of governors and state education chiefs, and they have been adopted by forty-one states, the District of Columbia, four territories, and the Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA). The United States Academic Decathlon and the Common Core Standards for High School Mathematics

The Common Core High School Mathematics Standards consist of six broad categories. The U.S. Academic Decathlon’s 2022–2023 mathematics curriculum addresses aspects of five of these six categories:

• Number and Quantity

• Functions

Mathematical Practice Standards addressed in addition to the content standards, the Common Core High School Mathematics standards emphasize eight practice standards. These standards are meant to address the manner in which students approach and reason during their learning of mathematics. USAD’s 2022–23 Mathematics Curriculum addresses seven of these eight practice standards:

• CCSS.Math.Practice.MP1: Make sense of problems and persevere in solving them

• CCSS.Math.Practice.MP2: Reason abstractly and quantitatively

• CCSS.Math.Practice.MP4: Model with mathematics

• CCSS.Math.Practice.MP5: Use appropriate tools strategically

• CCSS.Math.Practice.MP6: Attend to precision

• CCSS.Math.Practice.MP7: Look for and make use of structure

• CCSS.Math.Practice.MP8: Look for and express regularity in repeated reasoning

The United States Academic Decathlon and the Common Core Reading Standards for Literature USAD’s 2022–23 literature curriculum in concert with other Academic Decathlon subject areas addresses aspects of all ten of the Common Core College and Career Readiness Anchor Standards for Reading for students in grades K–12. USAD’s 2022–23 literature curriculum in concert with other Academic Decathlon subject areas addresses aspects of all ten Common Core Reading Standards for Literature for students in grades 9–10. USAD’s 2022–23 literature curriculum in concert with other Academic Decathlon subject areas addresses aspects of seven Common Core Reading Standards for Literature for students in grades 11–12.

THE UNITED STATES ACADEMIC DECATHLON CURRICULUM AND NATIONAL CONTENT STANDARDS

USAD’s 2022–2023 curriculum addresses aspects of the following:

• All twenty of the Voluntary National Content Standards in Economics

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El Camino Real wins California Academic Decathlon, heading to national competition

E l Camino Real Charter High School is headed to the U.S. Academic Decathlon National Competition next month after winning the California Academic Decathlon in Santa Clara.

The Woodland Hills-based school is joining Sherman Oaks Center for Enriched Studies and Granada Hills Charter High School in advancing to the U.S. Academic Decathlon National Competition in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

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Granada Hills - which has won the national competition nine times -- also advanced and will represent California in the online USAD National Competition.

Western Center Academy in Hemet has also qualified for the U.S. Academic Decathlon. The high school, located at 2345 Searl Parkway, will participate in the online USAD National Competition in Pittsburgh.

The state competition started Friday and ended Sunday at the Santa Clara Marriott. The USAD National Competition will take place April 25-27.

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Reimagining Design with Nature: ecological urbanism in Moscow

• Reflective Essay
• Published: 10 September 2019
• Volume 1 , pages 233–247, ( 2019 )

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The twenty-first century is the era when populations of cities will exceed rural communities for the first time in human history. The population growth of cities in many countries, including those in transition from planned to market economies, is putting considerable strain on ecological and natural resources. This paper examines four central issues: (a) the challenges and opportunities presented through working in jurisdictions where there are no official or established methods in place to guide regional, ecological and landscape planning and design; (b) the experience of the author’s practice—Gillespies LLP—in addressing these challenges using techniques and methods inspired by McHarg in Design with Nature in the Russian Federation in the first decade of the twenty-first century; (c) the augmentation of methods derived from Design with Nature in reference to innovations in technology since its publication and the contribution that the art of landscape painters can make to landscape analysis and interpretation; and (d) the application of this experience to the international competition and colloquium for the expansion of Moscow. The text concludes with a comment on how the application of this learning and methodological development to landscape and ecological planning and design was judged to be a central tenant of the winning design. Finally, a concluding section reflects on lessons learned and conclusions drawn.

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The landscape team from Gillespies Glasgow Studio (Steve Nelson, Graeme Pert, Joanne Walker, Rory Wilson and Chris Swan) led by the author and all our collaborators in the Capital Cities Planning Group.

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Evans, B.M. Reimagining Design with Nature: ecological urbanism in Moscow. Socio Ecol Pract Res 1 , 233–247 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s42532-019-00031-5

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Received : 17 March 2019

Accepted : 13 August 2019

Published : 10 September 2019

Issue Date : October 2019

DOI : https://doi.org/10.1007/s42532-019-00031-5

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Home — Essay Samples — Geography & Travel — Travel and Tourism Industry — The History of Moscow City

The History of Moscow City

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