Huron County Rural Schools

School Improvement

Progress Report

2010-2011

Introduction

During the 2010-2011 school year, the School Improvement Team focused on: art and music programs, Quiz Bowl, maintaining the web page, 3-5 year plan, Positive Behavior Support, and evaluation of the curriculum; including English/Language Arts, writing, science and health, social studies, and math.

Art and Music Programs

The art program remained the same with only five of the six schools participating. The music teacher incorporated musical instruments, recorders, into the curriculum.

Quiz Bowl

This year the Rural Schools competed in Quiz Bowl. Students in grades 5-8 participated. Individual trophies were awarded at the Meet of Champions contest. We received eleven individual trophies.   

Web Page

The Huron County Rural Schools webpage continues to be updated on a monthly basis. All school improvement information is posted on the website.  Schools have added a budget transparency icon which reports budget and salary compensation information as required by the Michigan Department of Education.

3-5 Year Plan

The current 3-5 year plan was evaluated and the schools continued working toward these goals:   

· to improve writing scores on the MEAP test.  Through the IDEA money we employed a writing coach once a week. She worked with the teachers and students to implement the Step-Up-To Writing program.  Continued assessment of writing skills occurs three times a year through the AIMSweb program.

· to improve data collection, analysis, and interpretation.  All teachers participate in data & analysis review on an on-going basis after each testing period conducted three times a year.  This analysis is used to evaluate MEAP, DIBELS, and AIMSweb scores. 

·  to create a positive behavior plan.  Lesson plans have been developed and are now being used regularly.

Positive Behavior Support

A Positive Behavior Support Plan was developed called RARE (Responsible and Respectful to Everyone.) This is a written plan detailing expected behaviors from students and the rewards they may earn for displaying good behavior.  Data collection on individual behaviors will continue to be collected and evaluated to look for better practices.

English Language Arts Curriculum

A writing coach was hired and instructed both students and teachers based on grade level genre sequences from the Michigan Department of Education and ideas from the Student Achievement Model (SAM).  All staff members have been trained in the research-based Step-Up-to-Writing program, and much of the program has been included in the writing curriculum.  We use progress monitoring through the AIMSweb writing program three times a year to evaluate skills.

Science Boxes and Health Curriculum

The science curriculum matches with the new state standards and GLCEs.  Lesson plans have been continued to be implemented throughout the 2010-2011 school year. Health lesson plans are integrated into the science curriculum.

Social Studies

The social studies curriculum is fully aligned to the state standards.  Grade level lesson plans follow this curriculum and are implemented in the schools.

Math

The math curriculum continued to be evaluated. Pre-Algebra and Algebra focal points have been used to re-evaluate our math curriculum. AIMSweb math and algebra probes are administered three times a year.  These results are analyzed after each testing period.

Conclusion

The 2010-2011 school year showed successful changes in all areas of curriculum. We are striving to improve instruction for our students, which will lead to improved student performance.