Component 4- Curricular, Instructional, Assessment, and Organizational Effectiveness
Introduction
In this section of our
school improvement plan we include an overview of our curricular,
instructional, assessment and organizational effectiveness.
4.1: COLLABORATION
Describe the school’s
capacity for collaboration of the administration and instructional staff and
other stakeholders to support student learning.
York Elementary supports
student learning by the collaboration of administrators, instructional staff,
other staff, parents, and stakeholders in various types of meetings and other
methods.
1. Faculty meetings are held
monthly or as there is a need.
2. School grade level
meetings are held weekly for teachers to discuss various topics or issues of
concern with grade level peers to ensure continuity.
3. County wide grade level meetings are scheduled at regular intervals with the LEA administrative staff to discuss teaching strategies, areas of improvement, or other pending issues.
4. School Advisory Council
Meetings are held to discuss school issues and to receive input and suggestions
from council members.
5. Title I committee meetings (made up of teachers and parents) are held for such things as to review, revise, and develop mission statement, vision, compact, the School Plan, or things that relate to school issues.
6. Title I Annual Meetings at which the Parent Involvement Policy, Compact and other issues are discussed, and is held to give parents a chance to give input and give approval of school policies.
7. Annual Grade Level Meetings are held with parents in which state standards and student expectations are discussed.
8. Parent/ Teacher Conferences are held two times yearly for the purpose of discussing student needs and progress.
9. Teacher evaluations offer a time for teachers to reflect upon and improve instructional methods.
10. Administrative Days give teachers a chance
to work in-groups to plan and evaluate instructional procedures.
11. Parent Involvement Advisory Board, at the county level, give parents, administrative staff, and teachers from all over the county a chance to meet, discuss, and look at school issues from a broad perspective.
12. Parent volunteers are
encouraged to provide input and to be involved in school activities.
13. School planning meetings
are used to monitor instructional methods and to make adjustments.
14. The LEA meets with
teachers and administrators to support and monitor instructional programs.
4.2: EVALUATION OF THE DECISION-MAKING PROCESS
Describe the evaluation
of the school’s organizational structure for decision-making, noting strengths
and limitations.
The decision making process
at York Elementary School reflects our school’s mission, vision, and beliefs
while always focusing on the improvement of our school. Decisions are made in
group sessions in which we analyze academic and non-academic school data,
identify the school’s strengths and challenge areas, reach agreements as how to
best serve our student population, and to find solutions to our challenge areas
through the use of research based information. We use parent,
teacher/administrator, and student surveys to get input in making decisions
concerning all aspects of our school.
The input received from our stakeholders through surveys, from various
meetings with Title I committee members (representatives from primary,
intermediate, and middle grades as well as parents), from Parent Advisory
Council members, parents, teachers /administrative staff, and community people
are used in making school decisions for the betterment and continuous
improvement of our students and school.
4.3: Resource Allocation
Describe the overall
school’s resources including materials, human resources, and funding sources
with a connection to school improvement.
Material
York Elementary has many
material resources available for its students and teachers. There is a fully
equipped Science Lab, a music department equipped with a variety of musical instruments,
an updated library with new furniture, technology, and shelving. The library
also has a new computerized system accessible by any computer on the York
Elementary server and offers scheduled class times for all grade levels each
week. An increase in the volume of
Accelerated Reader books and quizzes has been made possible with Title and
county funding. York Elementary also has three computer labs including software
to support all grade levels, and Internet connection for additional instructional
support. Access is also available to a
28-count mobile laptop cart. Grades K
and one utilize a lab for language instruction. The Language Arts Computer Lab serves grades 2-5, and the Math
Lab serves grades 5-8. All classes K-8
are scheduled 2 to 3 forty-five minute periods per week. Audiovisual materials,
a fax, laminating machine, several copy machines, and additional equipment are
available to teachers, staff, students, and parents. We also have textbooks, workbooks, hands-on materials, and Terra
Nova practice booklets.
Human
Human resources of York
Elementary include 2 administrators, 40 teachers, 15 teaching assistants, 3
janitors, 9 cooks, 1 school nurse, 2 secretaries, and many parent and community
volunteers. Our entire faculty is highly qualified in their area of
certification by grade levels. Departmentalization of grades 5-8 is utilized in
order to meet our students’ and school needs more effectively. Our school has
several specialty teachers who support and enhance our instructional program.
These specialty teachers
have multi-grade assignments such as 3 teachers in computer labs, 2 in physical
education, 8 in special education, 1 in library, 2 in music, and 1 guidance
counselor. We also have a countywide
teacher for the Gifted Program that conducts weekly classes at our school.
Teaching assistants are used in our three pre-school classes, CDC classes, and
also help classroom teachers on a regular basis. Our extended contract program
also provides teachers for before and after school tutoring and enrichment, for
Family Night Reading, and a Literacy Program for parents and students. Extended
contract teachers also work with the county wide summer school program to
provide extra help and enrichment for students. Our school also serves as a
center for the Boys and Girls Club, who provides care, homework help from
certified teachers, extra curricular activities, and a place for students to
come when school is not in session. Our school also has a PTO and a parent
volunteer program that supports and helps the school with fundraisers, field
trips, bake sales, parties, and many other school activities.
Estimated Funding Sources
York Elementary receives its
funding from a variety of sources such as Local, State, and Federal programs.
We also get funds from grants, PTO and other school programs, and businesses.
DOLLAR AMOUNTS
Local
$ 71,417
State $ 2,201,976
Federal Funds $ 58, 817
Title I $ 105,000
Title II (A)
$ 18,000
Title II (D) $ 6,250
Title IV $ 3,703
Title V
$
1,666
Extended Contract
Program $ 8,000
PTO $
8,697
Union Bank $ 150.00
Grants $ 90,000
Book Fair
$ 1,064
Special Education $
513,497
Local Funds - Local money is
used for insurance, various supplements and materials.
State Funds- Most of this
covers teachers and administrators salaries.
Federal Funds - No Child Left Behind and other Programs
Title I- York Elementary is a school wide Title I school since 75 % of our students qualify for free or reduced meals. The entire school receives services to supplement and improve our instructional program. The Title I Program funds three teaching positions and money for Staff Development and Parental Involvement in our school. These teaching positions are used in two Computer Labs and for the Guidance Counselor.
Title II (A) - This money is
used for one-half teacher salary to reduce class size.
Title II (D) - Technology
(computers, printers, upkeep of equipment etc.)
Title IV - Drug Program that
is funded to make schools safe and drug free.
Title V - Books and
materials
Extended Contract Program - Pays for teachers’ supplement for tutoring and after school Reading Program.
PTO - Various school needs such as money for school trips, gym upgrade, and general school needs
Union Bank - Magazines for
the library.
Grant Monies- Grant for Pre-Kindergarten Program (4 year olds) which focus on readiness skills to ensure success in school.
Special Education- IDA (B) and Pre-School “At Risk” students that include students with disabilities and special needs. Our school has 2 resource teachers, 2 CDC (Comprehensive Development Classes) teachers, 2 “at-risk pre-school classes”, 1“at-risk” kindergarten teacher, and a part-time gifted teacher.
COMPONENT 4:4 CURRICULUM
ANALYSIS AND SUPPORT
Describe programs and
processes in place for curriculum analysis and support such as (Correlations to
state standards and benchmarks, alignment, coordination, curriculum mapping,
articulation, communication, monitoring and adjustment).
York Elementary has many
methods and procedures in place for curriculum analysis and support.
1. The Teacher’s Guide to the Tennessee Curriculum is
provided for use by all teachers.
2. Curriculum guides and maps are available to teachers and used as guides in teaching instruction.
3. County wide grade level meetings focus on curriculum alignment,
monitoring and improvement.
4. Grade level meetings at the school level are held for planning,
curriculum alignment, and to ensure continuity.
5. Teachers
use Criterion Referenced Test Reporting Categories with State Performance
Indicators as a guide for Terra Nova Test preparation in grades 3-8.
6. Pre-school and Head Start teachers meet with kindergarten
teachers concerning alignment of curriculums in pre-school and
kindergarten.
7. Textbook committees from each school evaluate and select
textbooks that are aligned with our state instructional standards.
8. Tests such as Terra Nova, Brigance, Debils, STAR, STAR Literacy, chapter pre and post tests, and unit tests in all subject areas are used to monitor our curriculum and instructional program.
9. The Guidance Counselor utilizes Character Counts, Bullying and Violence Prevention, and Conflict Resolution Programs to help provide a safe environment.
10. Computer Labs offer
students an opportunity to advance above their grade level.
Describe programs and
processes in place for analyzing and supporting the instructional process (such
as use of research-based strategies, adaptation for all students, appropriate
staff development, time utilization, monitoring and adjusting).
1. Teachers use surveys, test scores, and other data to identify strengths and challenge areas to adjust and modify instructional areas.
2. Staff
development that is based on research based instructional strategies has been
provided to support instruction. Teachers attend summer sessions and release
time is provided for teachers to attend workshops during the regular school year. Examples of some staff development
activities are: DIBELS Training, Power Writing, Fundations for Kindergarten
and first grade, One Size Fits No One, “Poverty” Hear Our Cry, Boys in Crisis,
Reading Renaissance, Learning Focused Strategies, and Technology (Grade Book),
3. Teacher evaluations and observations are used to help teachers
reflect on, adjust, and improve their instructional methods.
4. Administrative monitoring of lesson plans and instruction are
done weekly.
5. County wide grade level meetings are held by LEA at regular intervals to help support instruction.
6. New teachers receive mentoring from their grade level peers and
meetings are conducted by the LEA to give advice and to help beginning
teachers.
7. Teachers have scheduled periods for planning and monitoring of
instruction.
8. Special Education teachers use IEP’s to plan for special needs
students.
9. Teaching assistants are used to assist special needs students.
10. Before and after school tutoring is provided
by certified teachers for students who need extra help.
11. Homework help and
enrichment activities are also provided after school to support instruction.
12. Teachers have
individualized staff development plans that focus on and supports their
teaching areas.
13. Three computer labs that
provide individualized instruction in grades K-8 in Language Arts and Math
provide students with the opportunity to reach their academic potential.
14. We ensure that all areas of instruction
receive their allocated teaching time.
15. Flexible grouping meets the instructional
needs and abilities of all students.
16. Technology is utilized as an instructional
tool in our school.
17. Instructional strategies are aligned with
the school’s desired results for student learning.
18. Special attention is
given to the analysis of our State Report Card (three-year average).