Standard 5
As you review the responses to the indicators and rubrics, what major trends, themes, areas of focus, or goals emerge that cut across this standard?
How will you use the insights gained from this self-assessment to inform and enhance your improvement efforts related to this standard?
One of the strengths of our school district is our highly qualified staff. We have 14 out of 34 teachers who hold master’s degrees and 100% of our staff is teaching in their endorsed area. New teachers are paired with a mentor to ensure that they have a support person as they become part of our system. All teachers have a professional growth plan based on district policy and are encouraged to attend professional development activities that address school improvement needs as well as those of their own interest. Nearly all staff members go above and beyond the minimum requirements for professional growth, demonstrating a strong commitment to continuous improvement.
Staff members are kept up to date on district news through regular staff meetings and in-services. Evaluation policies are in place, and those expectations are communicated at the beginning of each school year. This past year a Staff Handbook was developed to be used as a guideline for expectations that promotes consistency throughout both the elementary and secondary schools.
School safety policies have recently been updated, and appropriate drills are executed on a regular basis according to recommended guidelines. The crisis team is in place, and the administration works with our local ministerial association to plan for any possible crisis. They have addressed the potential needs for counseling, and badges have been made for them if they need to come in to the school system.
A student assistance team exists and is active in finding intervention strategies for struggling students. If a teacher sees a concern, he then refers that student to the SAT team. Data is gathered and analyzed by the team before a recommendation is made. For example, this past fall, the SAT team looked at junior high students who were struggling. Assessment data showed that these students were significantly below grade level in the area of reading. The SAT team recommended finding time to provide some reading intervention for this group of students.
Our special education program provides services to students who do not learn at the same rate as their peers. The focus is on lifelong learning and future planning for our students. Students may receive assistance in their classroom work, and are also provided with opportunities to acquire job-related skills. One of the goals is to help students make a smooth transition into the work force upon graduation.
Our guidance program addresses the needs of our students through career exploration, financial aid information, visitations with college representatives and military recruiters, and direction in course selection to achieve desired goals. The guidance office administers assessments such as the PLAN test, the PSAT test, and the ASVAB test, following them with assistance in understanding and utilizing the results. We plan to have our counselors trained in using MAP data to enable them to effectively assist students in individual goal setting.
The district contracts with an accounting firm to conduct an annual audit of the school’s financial records. The district audits support that the district is financially sound and has the ability to maintain its programs.
Our board of education does an annual facility walk through to identify priorities for improvement during the next year. Our student council provides the administration with items the students would like to see changed to make our facilities more appealing to the student body. Those suggestions are considered and acted upon as the administration deems appropriate. The board has also established a regular rotation for roof maintenance. Our custodial staff conducts a monthly evaluation of our facilities and makes suggestions to the administration that are then incorporated into the overall plan. In recent months, we have installed security cameras throughout the high school and resurfaced our track. The board felt this project would benefit not only the students, but our entire community.