Wethersfield Board of Education December 10, 2013

Increase Student Achievement – The core curriculum includes 21 st century skills, high-quality standards-based learning experiences and instruction for all children.

 Improve curriculum, instruction, and assessments in all curricular areas PreK-12  Improve interventions through the development of the PreK-12 continuum of services for all students  Build positive school culture so students are engaged in learning and experience physical, emotional and intellectual safety  Improve technology infrastructure and the integration of technology into teaching and learning

Goal

 Continue to refine implementation of Reading, Writing and Math Workshop K-8 ◦ Professional development and coaching ◦ Integrated curriculum and resources  Appoint certified media specialists / information technology teachers – each elementary school ◦ Support 21 st Century Skills ◦ SBAC testing  ALL teachers are teachers of literacy ◦ Professional development on literacy and CCSS

 Refine data team process K-12  Reinstate Academic Leaders (WHS) and Team Leaders (SDMS) with a focus on improving curriculum, instruction and assessments  Appoint Instructional Supervisor for Math and for Science ◦ Horizontal and vertical articulation ◦ Program improvement ◦ Professional development ◦ Increase student achievement  Implement Teacher and Administrator evaluation plans

 Increase high school graduation requirements ◦ Graduating class of 2018  Increase instructional time for students  Increase professional development for teachers through an early release model  Revise curriculum and assessments to align with CCSS (Common Core State Standards) and SBAC (Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium)  Increase AP (Advanced Placement) and ECE (Early College Experience)

 Research and implement Block Scheduling at WHS  Prepare to implement SBAC assessment ◦ Teacher professional development ◦ Hardware and wireless capability ◦ Keyboarding skills  Implement standards based grading in SDMS  Investigate and adopt a new K-6 math program aligned to CCSS

Goal

 Additional ELL teachers to support growing population of English Language Learners  7-12 – Math and reading tutors to provide student support through SRBI  K-6 – Math tutors to provide student support through SRBI  K-12 Certified staff to oversee building SRBI process and math interventions ◦ Increase access to high quality materials  Increase co-teaching opportunities  Develop an alternative education program at WHS

 Explore credit recovery options at WHS  Ensure access to post-secondary education, training and employment  Expand WTA (Wethersfield Transition Academy)  Provide professional development on the growing ELL population

 Implement SSP (School Success Plans) grades 6-12  Expand preschool special education services  Increase Social Work support in each building  Revise and improve district assessment calendar

Goal

 Implement Advisor/Advisee program at SDMS and WHS  Work with community stakeholders to improve safety (lock down drills, evacuations, etc.)  Investigate the Peer Natural Helpers program at WHS  Continue to administer the spring parent and staff survey  Collaborate with Town agencies such as WECC, Youth Advisory, Shared Services, etc.  Provide Responsive Classroom training

 Improve building infrastructure to improve preventative safety measures  Provide staff training on safety and climate topics – such as CPR  Add School Resource Office (SRO) at SDMS  Improve parental involvement

Goal

 Implement District Technology Plan  Select a solution for on-line course management  Provide technology devices for students & staff ◦ Increase student access to hardware to prepare for implementation of Smarter Balanced Assessment ◦ Ensure one-on-one access to hardware in each school ◦ Provide suggestions to community on hardware that is compatible with WPS hardware

 Increase professional development offerings focused on authentic application of technology into curriculum areas and productivity  Publish district keyboarding expectations/ instruction at elementary level

Full District Improvement Plan document will be posted on District Website next week