School Improvement Plan. Sharp Creek Elementary School

School Improvement Plan For Sharp Creek Elementary School Submitted by: Sharp Creek’s School Improvement Team & Staff 2012 – 2013 1 Metropolitan ...
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School Improvement Plan For

Sharp Creek Elementary School

Submitted by: Sharp Creek’s School Improvement Team & Staff 2012 – 2013

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Metropolitan School District of Wabash County Sharp Creek Elementary School

District Mission Statement •

Our mission is to build the mind and character of every student to produce positive citizens for the 21st century.

District Goals •

Improve individual student achievement in the language arts, especially in the area of writing processes, math, and science by exceeding national, state, and district standards.



Increase the graduation rate.



Increase the percentage of students pursuing post-secondary education.



Maintain or try to increase the cash balance to 12% of the budget to fiscal discipline.

Sharp Creek’s Mission Statement: Sharp Creek Elementary: A learning community that produces student growth.

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Table  of  Contents     DESCRIPTION  AND  LOCATION  OF  CURRICULUM  ...................................................................................................................  4  

TITLES  AND  DESCRIPTIONS  OF  ASSESSMENT  INSTRUMENTS  USED  IN  ADDITION  TO  ISTEP+  ..............................  4  

PARENTAL  PARTICIPATION  .........................................................................................................................................................  5  

SAFE  AND  DISCIPLINED  LEARNING  ENVIRONMENT  .............................................................................................................  6  

TECHNOLOGY  INITIATIVES  AND  PLAN  .....................................................................................................................................  7    

PROFESSIONAL  DEVELOPMENT  PLAN  ....................................................................................................................................  10  

SUMMARY  /  ANALYSIS  OF  DATA,  PROGRAMMING,  STRATEGIES  AND  SERVICES  REGARDING  STUDENT   LEARNING  .........................................................................................................................................................................................  13  

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DESCRIPTION AND LOCATION OF CURRICULUM Sharp Creek Elementary adheres to the prescribed curriculum of the Indiana State Department of Education and the MSD of Wabash County School Corporation. The curriculum for MSD of Wabash County traditionally has been reviewed and modified on a subjectby-subject basis in conjunction with the adoption of new textbooks. Through the coordination of a district curriculum director, curriculum and standards from the state are reviewed, studied and implemented at the local level. The Indiana Academic Standards serve as the framework around which our curriculum is designed. Sharp Creek is continuing to stay up to date with the transition to the common core standards taking place over the next couple of years. Curriculum and Standards for grades four through six may be found at: http://www.doe.in.gov/achievement/standards

TITLES AND DESCRIPTIONS OF ASSESSMENT USED IN ADDITION TO ISTEP+ Sharp Creek Elementary engages in a thorough assessment process. The assessment process included both formal and informal assessments. Informal assessments include teacher observations, skill checklists, teacher-made tests, and tests provided by textbook companies for end of unit assessments. The Indiana Statewide Testing for Educational Progress(ISTEP+) is the main formal assessment instrument as is NWEA. Assessments are used to determine the progress of individual students, diagnose individual needs, to access strengths and weaknesses of the curriculum, and to direct instruction. Reports on the results of these assessments are made to students and to their parents. Most assessment info is also available online through the IDOE parent connect site. STAR Reading scores represent how students performed on the test compared with the performance of nationally representative samples of students. These scores present a snapshot of achievement at a specific point of time. The report measures student progress throughout the year. It can be used to evaluate during the year or over many years. It reports grade placement, a scaled score, grade equivalent, percentile rank range, normal curve equivalent, and an instructional reading level for each student NWEA Northwest Evaluation Association Achievement Level Test provides teachers, students, and parents with an accurate assessment of student progress in mastering the skills of Mathematics, Reading, and Language. When administered at regular intervals over time, it is possible to find out whether an individual student, or an entire grade level, is making satisfactory progress. The 2011-2012 school year was Sharp Creek’s last year to administer the NWEA test as we transition this school year to Acuity.

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Acuity The purpose of Acuity assessments is to provide diagnostic measures for grade 3-8 students in English/language arts, mathematics, science, social studies, Algebra I, and English 10. Assessment reports provide standards-aligned performance data, which support an educator's ability to inform instruction at the student-, class-, school-, and corporation-level. There are multiple types of assessments available in the online Acuity assessment system, including Predictive, Diagnostic, and Curriculum Map-Aligned. Sharp Creek will be utilizing the predictive Acuity assessments for Language Arts, Math, Science, and Social Studies for the first time in 2012-2013. Reading Skills Tests and Benchmark Tests The tests are designed to measure a student’s progress based on specific skills taught and to help identify a students specific strengths and weaknesses. These tests align with the state adopted reading series. MSDWC Teacher Created Common Assessments PARENTAL PARTICIPATION Parent Volunteers Sharp Creek has parents, grandparents, and other interested patrons who volunteer to work in more than one grade or volunteer for office help. Their duties range from working with individual students to running copies for teachers. They work not only in the classroom, but also in other areas of the building. These parents help with homework assignments, lead novel groups, decorate the hallways, and help with the annual Christmas and spring music productions. Parents also chaperone the 4th – 6th grade field trips at Sharp Creek. Online Resources Sharp Creek has recently started a Facebook page where upcoming events or plans are posted for families. Close to 200 people are following the page, so we believe it is a great communication tool that parents are utilizing to stay informed. Sharp Creek also has a website with much information including all the email addresses of school staff, lunch calendar, and much more. Parent Teacher Organization Sharp Creek has an especially active Parent Teacher Organization. They meet four times throughout the school year and sponsor a carnival every spring. These parents have helped to landscape around the building, purchase supplies for every classroom teacher, provide meals during Parent/Teacher conferences, and funding for special programming/events. In 2011-2012 our PTO merged with Metro North Elementary PTO to help make meetings and events more convenient and accessible as a result of reconfiguration. Metro North is K-3 and Sharp Creek is 4-6 so we share many families. Now our PTO has two meeting every year at each school. Parent involvement is critical to helping students reach academic success. The following list has ways in which Sharp Creek Staff encourage parents to become active in the school experiences of their student. • • •

Provide good discipline and structure at home. Encourage positive health habits, proper nutrition and adequate sleep. Attend to the child’s medical, vision, and dental needs. 5

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Make reading a regular and fun activity. Encourage children’s love of learning. Monitor television, music, computer activities. Make sure children are responsible for their actions. Require regular school attendance. Improve children’s study habits. Communicate with teacher: notes, voice mail, email. Attend PTO meetings. Be a PTO officer. Attend Parent/Teacher conferences. Be a field trip chaperone. Attend open house. Help with the annual carnival. Help with school Book Fairs. Read communications from the school. Help your student with the Book-It program by reading with them at home. Help with extracurricular activities such as: Scouts, Sports, 4-H, etc.

The need for assistance in the individual classrooms will vary from year to year based upon the type of help already available to the teacher. For example, if the teacher has a student teacher or a Northfield High School cadet teacher they may not need another adult in the classroom. No teacher will be expected to invite anyone into their classroom within whom they do not have complete trust. SAFE AND DISCIPLINED LEARNING ENVIRONMENT Sharp Creek Elementary acknowledges that students achieve better in an environment in which they feel safe. Toward this end we have: •

• • • • • • • • • • • • •

PBIS(Positive Behavior Intervention Supports) a school-wide system of procedures for behavior in every area of the building along with rewards for positive behavior and consequences for negative behavior. Along with this program we have developed and implemented a consistent homework help program to keep students from getting behind. Teachers have classroom management plans and procedures which follow state and federal laws Most teachers have been trained in the Fred Jones Classroom Management Training A corporation and building level School Safety Team A corporation and building level School Safety Plan A corporation and building level Crisis Intervention Plan(Handle with Care) Trained School Safety Specialist on site(School Counselor/Social Worker and a Teacher) Safety drills for fire, tornado, and lock down are practiced routinely Safe School Helpline for anonymous reporting of potential problems Video Cameras in strategic places of the building ID tags for all school staff A trained counselor/social worker is available to all students to deal with personal issues and to teach conflict resolution, social skills, and anger management Anti-Bullying Assembly each year with Steve Seskin Safety Program regularly with Sergeant Terry Hall 6

Sharp Creek Elementary School Strategic and Continuous School Improvement Plan

Focus: Student Behavior/Management (PBIS) Goal 2012-2013

Sharp Creek Elementary will reduce disruptive behavior and build positive school climate through continued implementation of School-Wide Positive Behavioral Supports (PBIS). Behavioral Data Assessment BEHAVIOR STANDARDS 2010-2011 2011-2012 # Wildcat Pride Slips handed out 907 1641 - Wildcat Pride Slips Database - Progressive Discipline # of progressive discipline forms No Info 133 Database Between 10-11 and 11-12 we had a significant change in students and faculty due to reconfiguration of schools. Benchmarks • Every student each school year at Sharp Creek Elementary will receive at least one Wildcat Pride Slip for positive reinforcement.

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Strategies Each staff member will give out two pride slips each week SCE will develop a systematic homework help program to motivate students to complete assignments on time.

TECHNOLOGY INITIATIVES AND PLAN Sharp Creek is committed to using technology to support teaching and learning in the school. The 2011-2012 school year was our first year in a transition plan to 1:1 in our school. The process started when our district and school was awarded money through the Technology Innovation Grant. The grant allowed our district to plan for and successfully go one to one during the 2012-2013 school year. The following are the steps Sharp Creek has taken since 2011-2012 in preparation for 1:1, where we are now, and plans for the future. o Through a Classroom Technology Innovation Grant in 2011-2012, the 5th and 6th grades Science classrooms each had 15 iPad’s. Students used these iPads to access the digital Science curriculum through Discovery Education. They see interactive videos of the Science topics they are studying and use the devices to perform research about Science topics. o The iPads are shared with the Music Teacher. The Music teacher has been experimenting with Garage Band and the students have been playing various musical instruments using the iPads with the Garage Band App. As a result of this experimentation, the Music teacher is planning to use resources, grants, etc. to obtain a class set of iPads for the Music Class. o In 2011-2012 Sharp Creek purchased an online writing program called Criterion. Each class uses this program 2 - 3 days a week during the school day. The program allows the teacher to set up a type/purpose for writing, give a prompt, and have the students write. The program gives the students feedback about their writing and allows students and teachers to communicate online as they work on their writing. Students receive feedback via the computer and teachers many times 7

as they work on their writing. Teachers and students both say that the quality of the writing turned in as a final product is much better as a result of this technology. o The Special Education Teacher at Sharp Creek applied for and received a grant for laptop computers and reading software. This year students have been able to use laptops in the resource room and receive reading fluency and comprehension help using the program Reader’s Edge. o Every classroom has an LCD projector installed. The projector helps the teacher make the lessons more visual and engaging for students. o All teachers except for two have some sort of interactive white board. These boards also make lessons more interactive and engaging for students. 5. How is technology being used to extend access to learning resources beyond the school day? o 2012-2013 school year every student and teacher at Sharp Creek has a 13 inch MacBook Air laptop computer. The students take the device home every day, on weekends, and during every break except summer vacation. Teachers are utilizing Edmodo, Moodle, and various other online resources to engage students in learning during the school day and beyond. With this new 1:1 initiative we believe that anything is possible. o The new Math programs adopted this year (Envision - 4th,5th) and (Holt - 6th) has an online book and recorded lessons. If students need lessons explained again, or are absent, they can log in to the Math sites at home and receive instruction. o The writing program Criterion is all online for 5th and 6th graders. Students may log in at home to review, edit, and revise the writing assignment they are working on at school during the school day. o Our District Technology team has updated and created new websites for every school. The websites have resources for parents and student alike and allow teachers to have class websites and Moodle pages. The sites make it easy for parents and families to reach school staff through email and check what is going on in classrooms each day. 5. Are there any specific technology oriented skills that students in this school are expected to develop or exhibit? o Students are expected to use technology to be able to research and find answers to questions posed in classes. While doing this students are guided in ways to pick out appropriate sites and use multiple sources to ensure accurate research. o The plan during 2012-2013 is to purchase a program through

called

with a state approved curriculum and scope and sequence that includes netiquette, cyber-bullying, social networking, as well as many lessons on common software and computer applications. With EasyTech through learning.com whether our teachers are novices or experts in technology it will be easy to integrate 21st century learning skill building into their teaching. EasyTech helps student and teachers efficiently learn technology skills, digital literacy, and higher-order thinking as they study and learn core curriculum. We are going to make sure our students have the tech and 21st century skills they need by utilizing this resource. 8

o We have adopted the SAMR model at MSDWC and Sharp Creek Elementary. The SAMR model has four levels. Right now most teachers are probably as level one or two, but our goal in the next couple years is to get most everyone to level four. The four levels of the SAMR model: 1.

Substitution: the computer stands in for another technological tool without significant change in the tool’s function.

2.

Augmentation: the computer replaces another technological tool, with significant functionality increase.

3.

Modification: the computer enables the redesign of significant portions of a task.

4.

Redefinition: the computer allows for the creation of new tasks that would otherwise be inconceivable without technology.

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PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2012-2013 MSDWC and Sharp Creek Elementary believes that our teachers are our most important asset; therefore, we feel professional learning communities (PLC) will be an important component of our professional development. “Professional learning communities operate under the assumption that the key to improved learning for students is continuous job-embedded learning for educators." Learning by Doing, Second Edition In a PLC, collaboration represents a systematic process in which teachers work together interdependently in order to impact their classroom practice in ways that will lead to better results for their students, for their team, and for their school. Therefore their collaboration centers around certain critical questions: 1. What knowledge, skills, and disposition must each student acquire as a result of this course, grade level, and/or unit of instruction? 2. What evidence will we gather to monitor student learning on a timely basis? 3. How will we provide students with additional time and support in a timely, directive, and systematic way when they experience difficulty in their learning? 4. How will we enrich the learning of students who are already proficient? 5. How can we use our SMART goals and evidence of student learning to inform and improve our practice? Sharp Creek structures for providing professional learning opportunities include: 1. District-wide weekly collaboration time for PLC: Tuesdays @ 7:30 AM) with additional time determined by grade level team. 2. Sharp Creek has schedules with daily common planning time for teachers of the same grade level. 3. MSDWC offers a Summer Academy with the opportunity to learn when teachers are not planning for classes. 4. MSDWC provides Academic Coaches (eLearning and Literacy) as well as Technology Assistants to work with teachers individually or in small groups. (model lessons, co-teach, observe/give feedback, and/or assist with researching resources) 5. Occasional opportunities for participating in conferences or workshops outside the district. (Because this year the budget is stretched providing local opportunities, conferences outside the district will be more limited than in the past. If a conference/workshop is determined to be important to meet our goals, participant(s) need to complete the log, including how information was shared with with others and the school or district impact.

6. Learning Connection: Communities

Focus: Professional Learning Communities _ Administrators (8) attended PLC Institute (September 2011) _ Administrator (1) and teachers (16) attended PLC Institute (June 2012) 10

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Administrators (2) and teachers (7) attended PLC Institute (August 2012) Teachers (32): Introduction to developing common assessments (May-June 2012) Implementation plan: • October 2, 2012 – All Staff PLC Kick-Off Meeting • 1st and 2nd week--Set team norms • 3rd and 4th week-Set Team SMART goal • 5th and 6th week-Establish common essential outcomes • 7th and 8th week- Create first common assessment • 9th and 10th week- Analyze student performance on first common formative assessment • Each School/Team embeds and continues the PLC process based on data

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Monthly focus on data during principal meetings

Literacy ● New teachers and new instructional assistants will be trained in teaching a guided reading group. (planning for instruction, administering a running record, scoring the running record, and utilizing that data to inform instruction) ●

CCSS will be stressed through our guided reading groups- teachers and assistants will be given two documents to assist them in aligning their teaching points and literature responses to the CCSS.



Interventionists will meet monthly together with literacy coach to discuss and monitor interventions of struggling students.



All building teachers will meet together with the literacy coach at one time to discuss what will be expected as a school in the comprehension section of the assessment to promote unity and consistency among testing administrators.



Teachers in grades K-6 have the opportunity to work with the literacy coach to develop units of study within the readers’ workshop framework.

Transition to Common Core State Standards ●

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Break down the CCSS w/Micheal Rush template (Spring 2011) ○ English Teachers 6-12 Science & Social Studies Grade 6 ○ Math 6-12 ○ Grades K-5 Introduction to the Literacy Standards for Social Studies, Science, and Technical Subjects w/Amy Leeson, Region 8 (August 2, 2012) Participate in the next round of sessions w/Michael Rush to be organized by Reg. 8 (Dates TBD) Make decision once the agendas are released. Principals and teachers (6-12) collaborate in each building to build plan for ensuring CCSS literacy standards English teachers collaborate to complete their expectations for writing products:

Technology Integration ● Distribute the SAMR model with every teacher laptop ● Summer Academy 2013: May 29, 30, 31 and August 5, 6 (depending on MSDWC calendar 11

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eLearning Coach(es) Technology staff Indiana Computer Educators Conference (October) one administrator and two teachers Framework for 3 technology integration goals for teachers Attend inexpensive content area conference/workshops (math, social studies, science, business) with a focus on technology integration Apple PD District membership for Simple K-12 (webinars and other resources) August through December (special free offer for Indiana schools) Create resources on MSDWC webpage or MOODLE DOE webinars D’Ann Stouffer: serve as technology integration coach for science teachers 7-12

RISE Region 8 Amy Leeson: optional afterschool overview for teachers and for school board Administrators all complete certified RISE training through Region 8 Dr. Diana Showalter: overview and preparation for SLO’s (August 13 district teacher session) Dr. Diana Showalter: ½ day sessions with every teacher by department or grade level to write the SLO’s PBIS Larissa Ross, coach: meet with teams regularly Tony England: refresher session with all teams (individually or as a group?) Assessment ● DOE webinars for new assessment director and for administrators/teachers/guidance counselors as needed ○ LaS Links ○ ISTEP ○ Acuity ● Acuity: two ½ day training for a team from each building (August & October) High Ability Instructional assistants Cluster teachers New Staff District Orientation Breakfast and Meeting (August 6, 2012) Building Orientation Mentors assigned Classroom Management (Fred Jones) Note: All educators should use LVIS for recording PGP points

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Summary Analysis of Data, Programming, Strategies and Services Regarding Student Learning

Sharp Creek Elementary School Strategic and Continuous School Improvement Plan

Focus: Reading/Language Arts Goal 2012-2013

Students will demonstrate growth and achievement in Reading.

ISTEP+ Percent Passing Data ACADEMIC STANDARDS Percent Passing Percent Passing 2010-2011 2011-2012 State SCE State SCE Fourth Grade 82 86 82 80 Fifth Grade 75 76 78 76 Sixth Grade 76 76 78 75 ISTEP+ Growth Data # of students in 2010-2011 2011-2012 each category High Typical Low High Typical Low Fourth Grade 26 29 18 Fifth Grade 21 22 27 (DOE DATA) Sixth Grade 22 29 22 NWEA Reading Data NWEA Norm Sharp Creek 2011-2012 NWEA Results Growth

• • •

STAR Reading NWEA ISTEP+

Growth

Fourth Grade Fifth Grade Sixth Grade

6.9 5.2 4.1 STAR Test Results (Goal is 1 year Growth) Fourth Grade 4.6-5.6 Fifth Grade 5.3-6.0 Sixth Grade 6.4-6.8 th

Assessment

10.1 7.9 5.9 1.0 0.7 0.4

Areas of Greatest Concern:

4 – Nonfiction/Info Text, Writing Process, Writing Applications 5th – Nonfiction/Info Text, Literary Text, Language Conventions 6th – Literary Text, Vocabulary, Writing Process Benchmarks Students in grades 4th, 5th, & 6th will: 1. Exceed the state ISTEP+ state average in Reading. 2. Meet or exceed the NWEA Norm growth RIT score in Reading from Fall to Spring. 3. Reduce the number of students at each grade level that are in the “Low” growth category on ISTEP+ 4. Increase their STAR Reading test score by 1.0 grade level or more @ 90% of the class accuracy from August to May. 5. 80% of students with IEP’s will grow one grade level or more as measured by STAR,NWEA, ISTEP+

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Strategies

• Analyze NWEA and ISTEP results • Utilize Seeing Stars, Visualizing and Verbalizing, Reader’s Edge, leveled reading books as strategies for intervention • Look at state and common core standards and ensure that essential standards are being taught • Implement a daily 30 minute intervention and enrichment time for each grade level • Routinely check students individual reading progress(Status of the class) • Teachers will use NWEA reports to help students set goals for improvement before NWEA Spring Test • Transition to Acuity and away from NWEA

Sharp Creek Elementary School Strategic and Continuous School Improvement Plan

Focus: Writing Goal 2012-2013

Students will demonstrate the ability to write proficiently as measured by ISTEP+.

ISTEP+ Data Percent Scoring ACADEMIC STANDARDS 4 or higher 2010-2011 Fourth Grade 55% Fifth Grade 64% Sixth Grade 76%

Percent Scoring 4 or higher 2011-2012 78% 65% 81%

Assessment



ISTEP+

Areas of Greatest Concern:

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Writing Process Writing Applications Vocabulary Benchmarks

Strategies

• 80% of students in each grade 4th-6th will score 4 or more points (out of a possible 6) on the ISTEP+ writing sample in the area of writing applications.

• Analyze ISTEP+ test data in the area of writing applications and conventions and adjust instruction • Utilize the Criterion online writing program in grades 5 and 6 • Use outside experts such as Kristina Smekens to help train teachers in instructional strategies for writing • Write in the content areas and in response to literature of all types • Participate in workshops offered by the All Write Consortium

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Sharp Creek Elementary School Strategic and Continuous School Improvement Plan

Focus: Math Goal 2012-2013

Students will demonstrate growth and achievement in Mathematics. ISTEP+ Percent Passing Data Percent Passing Percent Passing 2010-2011 2011-2012 State SCE State SCE 79 90 79 74 86 84 86 83 80 89 82 77 ISTEP+ Growth Data 2010-2011 2011-2012 High Typical Low High Typical Low 41 22 10 5 21 44 (DOE DATA) 48 15 8 NWEA Data

Assessment

ACADEMIC STANDARDS Fourth Grade Fifth Grade Sixth Grade # of students in each category

Fourth Grade Fifth Grade Sixth Grade

2011-2012 NWEA Results

• •

NWEA Norm Growth

Sharp Creek Growth

8.7 8.1 6.0

8.0 6.1 8.4

Fourth Grade Fifth Grade Sixth Grade

NWEA ISTEP+

Areas of Greatest Concern:

4th – Geometry, Measurement, Problem Solving 5th- Algebra and Functions, Data Analysis & Probability 6th – Computation, Number Sense, Geometry, Data Analysis & Probability Benchmarks

Students in grades 4th, 5th, & 6th will: 1. Exceed the state ISTEP+ state average in Math. 2. Reduce the number of students at each grade level that are in the “Low” growth category on ISTEP+. 3. meet or exceed the NWEA Norm growth RIT score in Math from Fall to Spring.

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Strategies • Analyze ISTEP+ and NWEA results • Teachers will use NWEA reports to help students set goals for improvement before NWEA Spring Test • Look at state and common core standards and ensure that essential standards are being taught • Implement a daily 30 minute intervention and enrichment time for each grade level • Transition to Acuity and away from NWEA • Implement our new Math programs that are better aligned to common core standards Envision in 4th and 5th Holt in 6th

Sharp Creek Elementary School Strategic and Continuous School Improvement Plan

Focus: Attendance Goal 2012-2013

Sharp Creek Elementary will maintain its high attendance rate at 96% or above.

Attendance Rate

4th 5th 6th Entire School

ISTEP+ Data 2010-2011 97% 97% 96% 96%

2011-2012 96.8% 97.2% 97.0% 97%

Benchmarks

• •

IDOE Data On Attendance IDOE Data Attendance Records

Strategies

• 96% or better attendance rate as documented by the IDOE.

• Certificates and awards for perfect attendance will be handed out by the principal following each quarter and at the end of the school year. • The school will use district and state regulations and resources to minimize unexcused absences. • Utilize the Wabash County Probation Dept. whenever parents/guardians refuse to follow attendance policies

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