On December 23, 1998 we received feedback regarding our plan. Each portion of the plan was evaluated and scored. In seven of the 10 rated areas we received perfect scores! In the other three areas we lost a total of six points for a final score of 94 points out of 100! We were especially pleased with these results because this was the first time this format for the plan was used.
We implemented the plan the first day of school and believe that we will continue to see improvements in our students' performance on MSPAP and other tests of achievement. We are also working to achieve the excellent rating for attendance (96% ADA - average daily attendance). Ours is about 95.4% most of the time. Satisfactory is 94% ADA.
School Goals:
1. By the year 2003, 70% of the third and fifth grade students will achieve a satisfactory score on the MSPAP:
 | reading, writing and language usage tests; |
| mathematics test; |
| science test; |
| social studies test. |
3. By June 2003, 80% of the 6th grade students will achieve a scale score of 340 or better on the Level 1 Md. Functional Test for mathematics.
Major Initiatives:
Provide on-going staff development that targets 'best practices'.Implement integrated instruction across the cirriculum in all classes gr. K-6, especially focusing on reading/language arts/writing and social studies integration.Employ high-order questioning, critical thinking skills, use high-order thinking graphic organizers to gather, organize and interpret data in science, and to make decision and understand the concepts of the social studies cirriculum.Employ effective use of technology and manipulatives to achieve the outcomes of the mathematics instructional programs.Continue the emphasis on small skill group instruction to individualize instruction.Employ the teaching assistants to support student achievement in the area of reading with the goal of all students reading at grade level.Include the use of technology to support classroom instruction across the cirriculum.Use the analysis of student outcome data to monitor student achievement, adjust instructional pacing and for instructional decision making.Purchase the identified needed globes and maps to support the social studies program.Implement performance-based instruction and assessments throughout the cirriculum and at all grade levels (K-6).Overview of instructional Activities Plan:
Reading/Writing/Language Usage:
Implement Invitations to Literacy reading program;use appropriate software in the Jostens computer lab;reading specialist will do demonstration lessons for teachers;performance-based instruction and assessment will be integrated into lesson planning;inservices on the writing process with peercoaching follow-up, will be continued;progress will be monitored through the use of running records and comprehension assessments.Mathematics:
materials used will include Mathematics in Action texts, Mimosa supplemental materials and I Can manipulative materials;appropriate software will be used in the Jostens lab;demonstration lessons that reflect 'best practices' will be conducted by the math/science coordinator;Graph of the Month and Challenge of the Week activities will be overseen by the math/science coordinator who will maintain class data logs;timed weekly facts tests, pre- and post- tests, performance tests, baseline tests will be reviewed to monitor student progress;students will be taught the language of mathematics;Science:
science P.L.U.S. tasks will be used for instruction;demonstration lessons will be conducted by the math/science coordinator in a lab setting;Windows on Science and Windows on Math laser disk programs will be used by teachers;students will be taught how to gather, organize and interpret data; write about their conclusions in long and short answers;student responses on writing assignments will be analized to determine needs for researching, vocabulary development, reading and writing for specific purposes, data collection, organization and interpretation;class logs will be maintained for outcomes on consortium tasks, exemplars, performance assessments; analysis will be used for decision-making.Social Studies:
two 1/2 day inservices will be conducted on higher order thinking skills and graphic organizers using Dimensions of Learning;social studies inservices will be held;students will use technology to research information;assessments will be used for instructional decision-making;class data logs will be maintained.Functional Reading and Math:
analysis of the fall administration results will be used for instruction decision making;instructional plans will include the incorporation of activities from Functional Reading and Math Guides;Maryland Functional Mathematics Test software on the Jostens computers will be used by the students.The complete school improvement plan is on file in the office for review by anyone who is interested. Please see Mrs. Scherzer for the notebook. It will need to remain in the building so if you would like to see it please plan on spending some time at the school. If you have any feedback for the School Planning and Management Team regarding the plan and its contents, please leave a note for the chariperson, Miss Linda Tuschmann. All comments are welcome!