Progress Report
Annual Goals 2012-2013
Goal #1: Common Core Standards
The McCall-Donnelly School District shall transition to the Common Core State Standards and next generation assessments.
Unpack the Common Core Standards and become familiar with detailed expectations for each subject and each grade level.
The district provided three teacher training days (August, October and February) and release time to transition to Common Core Standards.
The Boise State Writing Project conducted training to all MDSD certified staff for understanding the format of the Common Core Standards and for unpacking the standards.
State sponsored trainings in English/Language Arts and Math have been attended by certified teacher leaders at primary, intermediate and secondary levels, including remediation RTI concerns.
Science and Social Studies Idaho State Standards were realigned adding Common Core literacy goals.
Training sessions were continued throughout the year during staff meetings, after school, and at grade level and/or content area meetings; to develop and strengthen writing across all curricular areas.
Create curriculum maps to assure that appropriate instructional strategies and time are dedicated to student performance expectations.
Some grade levels or content areas have started; mapping is a priority in 2013-14 with more familiarity of standards.
Deploy formative and summative assessments for purposes of accurately monitoring student performance.
Both elementary schools agreed to implement “Step up To Writing” in conjunction with “Six Traits Writing” consistently for the 2013 – 2014 school-year. Writing is used across curricula and is a critical skill associated with the Common Core Standards.
The PLMS all-building writing assessment transitioned from expository to argumentative writing format. All language arts staff trained and scored papers together.
Teacher created formative and summative assessments are being used as well as benchmarks through AimsWeb, PLATO and SIPPS. More adjustment will be needed as teachers become more familiar with Common Core Standards.
Provide a grading and student progress reporting system that accurately communicates student progress in relation to Common Core Standards expectations.
Kindergarten is using a Common Core Standards hand-written report card.
PLMS continued to implement and revise its Common Grading Policy in alignment with best grading practices and Common Core Standards.
Provide adequate time for staff development to implement Common Core Standards.
The 2013-14 adopted calendar provides for additional Professional Development days for the purpose of teacher implementation of the Common Core Standards.
Align end of course assessments (EOC’s) to the Common Core Standards
Sample Smarter Balanced Assessment (SBAC) test items and item specifications have been studied and analyzed by teachers in grades K-12.
PLMS and MDHS have used some of the 2012-13 professional development days to rewrite end of course assessments to use similar test format and questioning strategies.
BRMES fourth graders piloted the SBAC mathematics assessment and the fifth grade piloted the English/Language Arts assessment.
Goal #2: Students Come First
Implement components of the teacher and administrator evaluation requirements.
A parent survey was administered prior to teacher and administrator evaluations for purposes of the evaluation.
At least 50% of the certified evaluations were based on student performance.
Monitor and adjust the “Pay-for-Performance” system of employee compensation.
All teachers met the local pay for performance web page requirements.
All schools scored in the top quartile state-wide.
All teachers in the district received the maximum bonus for pay for performance.
Develop and implement policies and procedures for managing mobile computing devices.
Policies for mobile computing devices were reviewed and adjusted to meet changes in technology.
A mobile computing device check-out form was created along with procedures and an agreement for appropriate usage.
IPad carts were purchased and a check-out system has been implemented. Educational applications have been installed and are being used by classroom teachers.
One classroom participated in a pilot program enabling students to take home iPads throughout the school year. Students, parents and the teacher signed an acceptable use agreement and the technology is being used for educational purposes.
Goal #3: Communication
Provide information to the public regarding Common Core Standards, performance pay for teachers, parent input on teacher performance, and student achievement data.
The state election process and referendum on Students Come First provided the public with excellent coverage on these topics.
The public was invited to participate in several events sponsored by the district. A Common Core information meeting was held in August for homeschool, preschool and private school providers.
A Technology night for the community in April connected community members with 21st century learning within the school.
Articles have appeared in elementary newsletters regarding common core. An editorial was published in the Star News in May regarding the Common Core and how MDSD is helping students and teachers prepare.
The district Curriculum website has multiple resources for public to learn more about the core.
Provide informative and easily understood performance reports for the district, all schools, individual teachers and students.
School and district report cards are available on their websites.
Individual student assessment reports with explanations were sent out from the district in a timely manner.
The “Response to Intervention Team” met with the parents of students at risk of failing to develop plans for student success.
PLMS held monthly Parent Advisory meetings to increase awareness and communication opportunities.
PLMS Staff continued monthly Positive Parent Contact Logs and student led conferences.
Maintain district, school and teacher web pages with updated information.
See “Monitor and adjust the “Pay-for-Performance” system of employee compensation” in Goal #2 above.
Combine student handbooks district–wide.
Not completed yet
Continue to improve communication and information systems.
Email, phone calls, and person-to person contact are essential elements of the district two-way communication plan.
The district, all schools, and individual teachers maintain web pages where appropriate information is posted for public access. The purpose of the web pages is to demonstrate transparency and allow the public to view relevant information at a time and a location that is convenient for them. Parents have password protected access to their student’s grades and assignments.
The district has an automated phone and computer messaging system for both routine and emergency use. All schools publish a periodic newsletter that is distributed to families.
Promote vertical alignment of academics and school operations within the district.
Science teachers in grades 3-12 met to work on vertical alignment.
Social Studies teachers in grades 6-12 met to work on vertical alignment.
Math and English Language Arts teachers met to work on narrow bands of vertical alignment grades K-2, 3-5, and 6-12 (ELA) and grades 9-12 (Math).
Promote effective 2-way communication by increasing use of technology. Train parents, students and teachers how to best communicate with each other.
See “Continue to improve communication and information systems” above.
Goal #4: Sustainability
Implement District recycling program.
In FY12 a green committee was formed and tasked with establishing a Green Policy (9155) (green initiative). The board consists of one representative from each facility, a board member and the Director of Operations. To communicate the intent of the committee and the newly established policy, a 45 minute documentary was created and distributed throughout the community.
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The Green Committee’s first project was a comprehensive recycling program. There had been previous recycling efforts throughout the district but no continuity. The committee’s goal was to build a standardized program that would provide consistency from one facility to the next.
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Roughly 250 interior and exterior recycling bins were purchased and placed in strategic locations throughout the district to sort paper, plastic and cans. The program officially began in December of 2012.
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To track progress, custodians at each facility weigh trash as it is hauled out each shift. Individuals who handled the recycling weigh the recycled product so that they can monitor how much would have gone to the landfill.
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In fouIIn four months, the schools recycled enough material to allow the district to remove (3) eight yard dumpsters saving approximately $1,050 per month.
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Students now sort food waste and trash. Food waste is given to local farmers and the volume of trash has been significantly reduced.
Implement an energy management program to measure energy usage and provide incentives for reducing energy consumption.
Energy Management initiatives that were part of new construction and remodeling the school buildings appear to be making a difference. Enough data has been gathered to create a baseline of consumption. Preliminary data indicates a significant downward trend in electricity and propane usage.
Initiate a Woody Biomass Feasibility Study.
The district partnered with the Forest Service, Washington State University, St. Luke’s Hospital, and the Valley County Economic Development Committee to initiate a woody biomass feasibility study. The results are not yet available.
Utilize “one-time” resources to achieve long-term savings.
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Explore the viability of purchasing district transportation (buses).
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Technology Department upgraded the wireless capacity in all schools to allow for mobile computing devices.
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Completed IP security camera installation in schools.
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The cafeterias converted to washable flatware and cups, in lieu of disposable milk cartons and plastic ware.
Continue to convert paper-based processes to electronic-based routing procedures. This includes facility usage requests, routing, approvals and cost recovery.
The district is using SchoolDude software for preventative maintenance scheduling as well as facility use and maintenance request routing.