As a result of STEAM integration, students have made exceptional gains in reading and math on both state assessments and local, school benchmarks. During the 2017-2018 school year, kindergarten and first grade students increased their overall reading proficiency by 45 percent on the STAR Renaissance reading assessment. Students in first through fifth grade increased their overall math proficiency by 21 percent on the STAR Renaissance math assessment. Sixty-eight percent of third grade students scored proficient or higher in reading on the state assessment, Scantron. This achievement success is directly correlated to the amount of authentic reading and math practice embedded in STEAM activities. Students were reading for a purpose and solving math problems that had real-world connections to environmental issues in their community. As a result of the impact on student achievement during the 2017-2018 school year, Munford Elementary School's State Report Card grade improved from 78 to 82.

During the 2017-2018 school year, there was an outstanding turnout for the Get Outdoors Day Festival. Over 1400 people attended this event. Get Outdoors Day was another opportunity for students to expand their leadership influence in their school and community. Many community partners attended the event from the town of Munford including Mayor Jo Ann Fambrough, the Senior Center, Munford Fire Department, City Hall, Munford Water Authority, and the local library. This event was a unique opportunity to provide Munford Elementary students with a positive and enlightened view of agriculture, natural resources, community, and the outdoors.

As a result of STEAM integration and engaged student learning activities, every grade increased their reading and math proficiency during the 2016-2017 school year. Students in third grade scored at or above the national average on the ACT Aspire in reading, writing, and math. Students in fourth grade scored at or above the national average on the ACT Aspire in English, reading, writing, and science. Students in fifth grade scored at or above the national average on the ACT Aspire in English, reading, and writing.

During the 2016-2017 school year, all students in first through fifth grade took STAR Reading and STAR Math assessments. Kindergarten students took the STAR Early Literacy assessment. The following grade levels increased their level of proficiency (students scoring at or above the 60th percentile) from August to May:

1st grade reading: 40% increase/1st grade math: 29% increase

2nd grade reading: 31% increase/2nd grade math: 32% increase

3rd grade reading: 24% increase/3rd grade math: 19% increase

4th grade reading: 11% increase/4th grade math: 16% increase

5th grade reading: 14% increase/5th grade math: 16% increase

Kindergarten Star Early Literacy: 32% increase

The average growth for students as measured by grade equivalency for first through fifth grade students is as follows: (1.0= 1 year’s growth; 1.2= 1 year and 2 month’s growth, etc.)

1st grade: +.8 (Reading) +1.3 (Math)

2nd grade: +1.1 (Reading) +1.2 (Math)

3rd grade: +1.3 (Reading) +1.3 (Math)

4th grade: +1.2 (Reading) +1.1 (Math)

5th grade: +1.3 (Reading) +1.4 (Math)

Munford Elementary students take the STAR Reading and Math assessment multiple times throughout the year to track students’ growth. The average rate of growth for our students as measured by the STAR Reading assessment was equivalent to 1 year and 2 months. The average rate of growth for our students measured by the STAR Math assessment was equivalent to 1 year and 3 months. 67% percent of students made 9 months gain or higher in reading in grades 1-5. 78% percent of students made 9 months gain or higher in math in grades 1-5.

Munford Elementary students also excelled using the Accelerated Reader Program. Twelve classroom teachers were recognized as being on the National Honor Roll for Accelerated Reader. The criteria for achieving this recognition was the following: an average of 25 minutes or higher daily engaged reading time, 90% of students or higher to meet their reading goal with an 85% comprehension average, and 80% of points must be earned from independent reading.

Munford Elementary School was awarded a $20,000 AAEI (Art) Grant to help promote growth mindset in the arts. Munford Elementary was named a MyOn Spotlight School and was featured in several articles where student growth was spotlighted including: ASCD Smart Brief, EdTech Smart Brief, and STEM Smart Brief. The MyOn Spotlight article highlighted students’ lexile growth in reading in addition to students spending 6,500 hours reading from January to May. The amount of time students spent reading was a direct reflection of the personal goals they set for improvement. Munford Elementary was published on the Best Practices website, AASCD website, and Hometown Parent Magazine. Several hundred guests visited Munford Elementary to learn how growth mindset impacts school culture and student achievement. With a solid foundation of strong instructional practices and a growth mindset, students and teachers pursued their goals and persisted throughout the year and success was inevitable.