School Improvement Process Mt. Pleasant School Nashua School District Bruce Geer, Principal

Itinerary Stakeholders Broad-based Improvement Communication Coordination with Building Initiatives Lessons Learned Along the Journey

Itinerary Leadership Role of The Principal School Choice Key Components of our SI Plan Mt. Pleasant SI Strategies Mt. Pleasant SI Accomplishments 03-04

Involve Stakeholders Representatives from grade level teams, special services, Title I, ESL, Guidance, paraprofessionals Parents – School Improvement Team and Focus Group Central Office- Curriculum Specialists

Broad-based Improvement Curriculum and Instruction Data Based Accountability Culture and Climate Structural Reform Extended Learning Activities Delivery of Support Services Parent and Community Involvement Literacy Team

Communication is Critical Informal Meeting minutes and Agendas to staff SI updates at all faculty meetings SI Team asked to share with grade level teams Parent Focus Group, PTO Central Office

Coordinate Building Initiatives Implementation of new SBRR language arts program Building Action Plan Building Council Reading First Initiative

Lessons Learned Staff needs consistent encouragement and positive feedback – Recognize hard work and accomplishments Some committees need more guidance than others There is a need for modeling and explicit directions

Lessons Learned Gathering research to support strategies was a challenge for some, our facilitator was especially helpful in this area We discussed many strategies and actions but tried to narrow the scope- Many actions could categorized under a few strategies

Lessons Learned Waiting can be a source of frustration – Waiting for forms and approvals In the first year it felt like we were always talking and planning with implementation of some things limited by late approval and scheduling snags with consultants

Lessons Learned The staff becomes fatigued – meeting after meeting, pressure to perform from newspaper, perceived, self imposed It is no surprise that teachers are the key to successful school improvement The NH Department of Education is very helpful and attendance at the H.O.P.E. Conference beneficial

Lessons Learned Do your best to lighten the load and limit extra meetings SI Team replaced our Building Council Utilize available faculty meeting and early release time Take a leadership role in writing and finalizing the written plan

Leadership Role Faculty looks to principal as the leader and a trusting relationship was critical Facilitator very helpful early on but I had a need to set the direction and plan and coordinate SI meetings and process Communication and collaboration with the facilitator was essential

School Choice We had eleven inquiries- Most unrelated to NCLB- hidden agendas Three parents exercised option for school choice in Two inquiries- One wondering if the school is closing, one parent wanted full day K not offered at MP No parents exercised school choice option.

Key Components of SI Plan Needs Assessment Implementation of SBRR Reading Program Comprehensive Assessment Plan designed to inform instruction Professional Development initially focused on improving services for special education Enhanced teacher collaboration

Key Components Support through extended day programs Reading First Initiative Protect and maximize instructional time Shift to a classroom based intervention model

Mt. Pleasant SI Strategies Curriculum and Instruction Strategies: Utilize Scott Foresman supplemental materials and annual consumables to ensure complete implementation to enhance the effectiveness of the program. Follow the prescribed Language Arts procedures and materials published by Scott Foresman, which has been developed in accordance with scientifically based reading research.

Mt. Pleasant SI Strategies Culture and Climate: Continue guiding the effective implementation of the Scott Foresman Language Arts program and our broad based school improvement process by providing compensation for staff serving on the Mt. Pleasant Literacy Team and School Improvement Team. Foster collaboration and professional collegiality by funding meetings scheduled beyond the contractual school day with agendas centering on the sharing of instructional strategies supported by SBRR, addressing common instructional problems and solutions, assessment, the writing process, planning models, differentiated instruction etc.

Mt. Pleasant SI Strategies Professional Development: Provide professional development for all professional and support staff targeted at improving instruction to meet the needs of special education students. Professional development will focus on strategies supported by scientifically based reading research. Tentative topics include differentiated instruction, intervention methods, phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension. Contract consultants with expertise in implementing the Scott Foresman language arts program with the goal of achieving high quality, consistent implementation to meet the needs of all students.

MT. Pleasant SI Strategies Extended Learning Activities: Mt. Pleasant will continue to offer extended day activities and Summer school through a 21st Century Grant to promote literacy and increase achievement. Delivery of Support Services: Follow the prescribed Scott Foresman intervention components for instruction in special education, English as a second language, and Title 1 reading using materials that are directly connected to the classroom curriculum. Investigate and implement programs, materials, and approaches to supplement the core Language Arts program to meet the needs of special education students functioning significantly below grade level.

Mt. Pleasant SI Strategies Parent and Community Involvement: Organize a parent focus group representative of our diverse population to provide a vehicle for enhancing home/school communication, support and feedback for continuous school improvement. Plan fun and educational activities that encourage parental involvement and enhance literacy.

Mt. Pleasant SI Strategies Data Based Accountability and Evaluation: Implement a systematic, building wide assessment program to include screening, diagnostics, progress monitoring, outcome post testing and formative school based assessments. Scott Foresman assessments will include DIBELS, unit Tests, Selection Tests, End of Year Testing, writing prompts, and placement testing. NHEIAP testing will be administered in grades three and six. Provide professional development and training for teachers and paraprofessionals in the implementation of prescribed assessments and to help them become more proficient at linking assessment to instruction.

SI Accomplishments Established an effective School Improvement Team and subcommittee structure Conducted a thorough needs assessment Developed a comprehensive School Improvement Plan approved and commended by the NH Department of Education

SI Accomplishments Implemented a new SBRR Language Arts program guided by a newly formed Literacy Team Established and effectively utilized team collaboration time Participated in a variety of professional development sessions targeting the topics of special education, assessment, intervention, language arts, and Reading First

SI Accomplishments Conducted a highly successful Camp Out 2004 Literacy Celebration Welcomed a district visiting team to observe and review systems and procedures Awarded Reading First Grant Installed a 25 station computer lab with projection, sound, and DVD capabilities

SI Accomplishments Implemented a classroom based intervention model replacing a “pull-out” model Developed a comprehensive assessment plan designed to inform instruction Achieved Annual Yearly Progress as determined by 2004 NHEIAP results SURVIVED!