The Assessment Committee met today and refined our district wide assessment program. The following assessments will be given with some questions remaining on the transition to these for some building from existing assessments.
Primary-
• Running Records – A measure of reading skills is an addition to SWES (PES end of September and end of May official collection, 4 data points per child per year) (SWES—materials, training and data collection done by February 2012, data collection May 2012, fully implemented by 2012-2013 school year)
• Primary MAP – Is an achievement test that measures growth this is an addition to PES (August 23 , January 9, May 14) – Kdg Winter/Spring only
• Writing Prompts – As named this is a writing assessment modeled after the state test and rubric based. This is an addition to SWES (need training to learn how to score them, need prompts and rubrics, training and data collection done by February 2012, data collection May 2012, fully implemented by 2012-2013 school year)
• DIBELS – A reading assessment will no long be administered
• COGAT – HA identification in K-2--October
• Coming IREAD (spring)
• Kingore – formerly used in HA identification will no long be administered
• Standford 10 — formerly used in HA identification will no long be administered
• SIGs – A HA identification test is given to the pool of nominated HA students –January
Intermediate
• ISTEP - Our State achievement test is given March 5-14, April 30-May 9
• MAP - Is an achievement test that measures growth given three times a year. August 23 , January 9, May 14
• Running Records – A measure of reading skills is an addition to SWES (SWES—materials, training and data collection done by February 2012, data collection May 2012, fully implemented by 2012-2013 school year)
• Writing Prompts – As named this is a writing assessment modeled after the state test and rubric based. This is an addition to SWES (need training to learn how to score them, need prompts and rubrics, training and data collection done by February 2012, data collection May 2012, fully implemented by 2012-2013 school year)
• OLSAT— HA identification - October
• SIGs – Administered to a pool of nominated HA students in 3rd and 5th –January
Middle School
• ISTEP — Our State achievement test is given March 5-14, April 30-May 9
• MAP — Is an achievement test that measures growth given three times a year. August 23 , January 9, May 9
• OLSAT— HA identification - October
• SIGs – Administered to a pool of nominated HA students in 7th –January
High School
• Practice SAT – An achievement test given to students in Grade 9 in October
• PSAT – An achievement test given to students in Grade10 & some 11 in October
• ASVAB – An aptitude test given to Grade 11 during October
• ECAs—Course specific achievement tests given the 2nd week of May to beginning of June
• Success Tracker with Math series is a formatitive assessment to assist instructional decisions given throughout the school year
Thursday, July 7, 2011
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Report Card Revisions
The Report Card Committee met July 7, 2011. The past year we have been discussing needed changes to help parents have better information about their student's progress. Our meeting today led to some changes in our report cards. There will be letter grades included with standards grades on the 3rd, 4th and 5th grade report cards. (New examples coming soon!) The Kindergarten will have the new core standards in place of the Indiana Academic Standards. We rewrote the four point teacher rubric to be clearer and the 4 point parent rubric on the report card to be friendly.
Our group also talked about how to communicate this well with parents and staff. We will launch a campaign to educate about grades and grading for the elementary groups as school starts in August. Look for more details soon.
Monday, April 18, 2011
Legislative Actions
Well the legislature is creating to a flurry of activity during these last days as you might expect. Several bills are very disappointing and it feels like we in public education are the whipping boys once again. Great news about increased funding is overshadowed by the stripping of teacher rights in bargaining, the transfers of public funds to cover vouchers, teacher evaluation processes changing and more red tape for our business offices and administrators. All these well intentioned efforts to help us restructure public education and improve student achievement really miss the Whitko mark of “Excellence for All.”
Remember most of these things are only aimed at teachers and administrators. How support staff salaries and benefits are determined has not changed. The attempt from down state is to have us tie negotiations, evaluation and student achievement into one package. I have told many people if education knew how to do this they would have done it 100 years ago.
SB575
I’ll start my reflections around SB 575 the teacher bargaining bill. This bill was intended to help corporations that had complex teacher contracts get flexibility from their agreements. I guess there must be places these changes need made but not at Whitko Community Schools. I reviewed our contract in light of the legislation and can say there are only a few items that are not already state law. Changing what we can print in the book won’t change how we do business. The recall language and the hours as discussable rather than negotiable are two somewhat big issues. The other big issue is evaluation and it has a bill of its own.
We are now restricted to salary, insurance, leaves, and retirement. The other items will still need to be discussed but can’t be in future contracts. (Depending on who says that it means after July1, after it passes the Senate or after the current contract expires) This either gives administration greater flexibility, greater accountability or greater confusion depending on the issue. I am glad we are a group that talks things through and we will continue those efforts as we move forward.
SB001
Then there is this new teacher preparation, licensing and evaluation bill. It starts by adding a part to the business office that requires us to get trained in operational efficiencies and that be reported on the state website.
This bill makes everyone either a probationary or professional teacher rather than the non-permanent, semi-permanent or permanent. The intent is to get away from perceived tenure rulings from the courts and IEERB in the past. Again this won’t really impact how we do business. What does is the new evaluation language.
The new evaluation language ties student achievement and to salary adjustments. The idea was taken from business that if your students perform well you get more money! The problem is the lack of clear definitions of performs. The greater issue is linking that to the teacher evaluation. The bill is clear if you teach a subject tested by a state test that must impact your evaluation. Beyond that it is up to us to figure out what rubric to rate folks on and how that translates to pay increases. Again like business we have flexibility to reward the best performing teachers. Unlike business we work with people not widgets. I am sure working together we can form a plan that will be manageable and fair to all involved. The state will be developing their model but based on what we’ve seen thus far it will need a good deal of revising to work for us.
So where do we go from here? Like we do every day we go to work. We make the education and the lives of our children the top priority. We continue to work through the details of the requirements set upon us by the state and do what is best for kids. Most importantly we strive for “Excellence for All” by improving our practice and working like the Whitko family always does. Like any family we will come through this stronger and better. It just feels real messy now and downright annoying that we can’t just be left to do the good work we do every day for our kids.
Remember most of these things are only aimed at teachers and administrators. How support staff salaries and benefits are determined has not changed. The attempt from down state is to have us tie negotiations, evaluation and student achievement into one package. I have told many people if education knew how to do this they would have done it 100 years ago.
SB575
I’ll start my reflections around SB 575 the teacher bargaining bill. This bill was intended to help corporations that had complex teacher contracts get flexibility from their agreements. I guess there must be places these changes need made but not at Whitko Community Schools. I reviewed our contract in light of the legislation and can say there are only a few items that are not already state law. Changing what we can print in the book won’t change how we do business. The recall language and the hours as discussable rather than negotiable are two somewhat big issues. The other big issue is evaluation and it has a bill of its own.
We are now restricted to salary, insurance, leaves, and retirement. The other items will still need to be discussed but can’t be in future contracts. (Depending on who says that it means after July1, after it passes the Senate or after the current contract expires) This either gives administration greater flexibility, greater accountability or greater confusion depending on the issue. I am glad we are a group that talks things through and we will continue those efforts as we move forward.
SB001
Then there is this new teacher preparation, licensing and evaluation bill. It starts by adding a part to the business office that requires us to get trained in operational efficiencies and that be reported on the state website.
This bill makes everyone either a probationary or professional teacher rather than the non-permanent, semi-permanent or permanent. The intent is to get away from perceived tenure rulings from the courts and IEERB in the past. Again this won’t really impact how we do business. What does is the new evaluation language.
The new evaluation language ties student achievement and to salary adjustments. The idea was taken from business that if your students perform well you get more money! The problem is the lack of clear definitions of performs. The greater issue is linking that to the teacher evaluation. The bill is clear if you teach a subject tested by a state test that must impact your evaluation. Beyond that it is up to us to figure out what rubric to rate folks on and how that translates to pay increases. Again like business we have flexibility to reward the best performing teachers. Unlike business we work with people not widgets. I am sure working together we can form a plan that will be manageable and fair to all involved. The state will be developing their model but based on what we’ve seen thus far it will need a good deal of revising to work for us.
So where do we go from here? Like we do every day we go to work. We make the education and the lives of our children the top priority. We continue to work through the details of the requirements set upon us by the state and do what is best for kids. Most importantly we strive for “Excellence for All” by improving our practice and working like the Whitko family always does. Like any family we will come through this stronger and better. It just feels real messy now and downright annoying that we can’t just be left to do the good work we do every day for our kids.
Friday, February 25, 2011
Snow Days
We have certainly had an unusual winter. Earlier today, I closed school for the 8th time this year on top of several 2-hour delays. Today, we closed because of near blizzard conditions during the early morning. Other days we closed because the county had not plowed the roads in time for the buses to run. I firmly believe that if the roads had been treated before 8:00 a.m. that we could have attended school on some days this week after a two-hour delay. I believe the same would have been true about 4 other closing days this year. After speaking with county officials, I was notified that the county budgets, primarily strained due to property tax caps, could not afford the overtime it would take to treat roads beyond normal work hours. As a result, we have lost two school attendance days this week and I can remember at least two other time this winter where clearing and treatment of the county roads could have resulted in a different decision regarding the closing of school. This is a major concern given that another winter storm is set to arrive Sunday, and based on forecasts, we will likely delay or closed again Monday. Additionally, Monday's forecast indicates that we may receive more rain, snow, ice, or all of the above.
Since budget solutions to help the county's ability to prepare roads cannot be implemented to change the results that have occurred thus far, would you please consider contacting your legislator regarding this? School budgets are certainly strained but so our are counties. Contacting our state and local officials will help.
I like you hope we do not need to have further delays or cancellations but the safety of our students may make those things necessary.
Come on Spring!
Since budget solutions to help the county's ability to prepare roads cannot be implemented to change the results that have occurred thus far, would you please consider contacting your legislator regarding this? School budgets are certainly strained but so our are counties. Contacting our state and local officials will help.
I like you hope we do not need to have further delays or cancellations but the safety of our students may make those things necessary.
Come on Spring!
Friday, November 5, 2010
Thanks for Voting
Thanks to all who voted in Tuesday’s election regarding the Whitko Referendum Question. While of course the school system wanted the issue to pass. We much more wanted the public to have the chance to vote on the direction we should take. We understand the times we live in and the financial situations of our families. We believe the safety net is needed for schools but recognize the need to live within our budgets.
The initial question everyone is asking is, now that the referendum question did not pass, now what? The answer is like we’ve said all along. We wait and see what funding is in the next couple years. The whole idea from the start is to have the referendum pass as an additional safety net.
There are NO current plans for reductions, consolidations or closings of anything. We have a balanced budget for next year, we have the availability of the Jobs Bill funds, and we have a small cash balance. Those items should carry us through the next year or two. The only factor out of our control is what the state may due in reductions or during the upcoming legislative session.
I am proud of our community and their participation in the electoral process and now we must turn our attention to making sure the state legislature meets their responsibility in wise use of the tax dollars we send them.
The initial question everyone is asking is, now that the referendum question did not pass, now what? The answer is like we’ve said all along. We wait and see what funding is in the next couple years. The whole idea from the start is to have the referendum pass as an additional safety net.
There are NO current plans for reductions, consolidations or closings of anything. We have a balanced budget for next year, we have the availability of the Jobs Bill funds, and we have a small cash balance. Those items should carry us through the next year or two. The only factor out of our control is what the state may due in reductions or during the upcoming legislative session.
I am proud of our community and their participation in the electoral process and now we must turn our attention to making sure the state legislature meets their responsibility in wise use of the tax dollars we send them.
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
November 2nd
Vote your conscious
Vote your heart
Vote informed
But most importantly VOTE!
This Tuesday many important considerations are up for decision. I would ask if you've not stopped and reviewed things that you do prior to Tuesday. One example is tax caps in the Indiana Constitution. We have seen how capping funding has impacted schools. The reductions we've suffered are not from tax caps but legislating away a source of revenue for the future generations does not make sense to me. It is the law now. Legislators can change it as needed if other revenue sources improve. I just can't wrap my head around deciding someone else’s future.
Another item is our referendum. I honestly believe this will be common in Indiana as the local residents will once again be asked to fund their own services from local funds and not state revenues. Cities and towns will continue to look for ways to provide services to residents. I have to stop and think like everyone else. What services do I want to not have? No snow removal, no fire protections, no road repairs, no police protection or something else. I believe we should pay for the services we are asking our governments to provide. I hope we all pay attention to what our elected representatives do with the funds they have and let them know when they are off base.
I really want to encourage you to get involved in the political process and understand this is from someone who does not like politics.
I hope you support the referendum question and Vote Yes for Whitko on Tuesday.
Vote your heart
Vote informed
But most importantly VOTE!
This Tuesday many important considerations are up for decision. I would ask if you've not stopped and reviewed things that you do prior to Tuesday. One example is tax caps in the Indiana Constitution. We have seen how capping funding has impacted schools. The reductions we've suffered are not from tax caps but legislating away a source of revenue for the future generations does not make sense to me. It is the law now. Legislators can change it as needed if other revenue sources improve. I just can't wrap my head around deciding someone else’s future.
Another item is our referendum. I honestly believe this will be common in Indiana as the local residents will once again be asked to fund their own services from local funds and not state revenues. Cities and towns will continue to look for ways to provide services to residents. I have to stop and think like everyone else. What services do I want to not have? No snow removal, no fire protections, no road repairs, no police protection or something else. I believe we should pay for the services we are asking our governments to provide. I hope we all pay attention to what our elected representatives do with the funds they have and let them know when they are off base.
I really want to encourage you to get involved in the political process and understand this is from someone who does not like politics.
I hope you support the referendum question and Vote Yes for Whitko on Tuesday.
Friday, October 15, 2010
How did the $1.25 million in reductions last year affect our community?
How did the $1.25 million in reductions last year affect our community?
These are ballpark numbers since we can’t know each person’s individual finances but some things we know are:
• About $70,000 less in state sales tax and $30,000 less in state income tax. This adds to the state deficit and that has caused our deficit.
• About $1 million less in income that would have fed into the area economy.
• 26 fewer people stopping in for gas, groceries and other services since individuals no longer drive to work here.
In the school it has meant:
• larger class sizes;
• staff working longer to get the tasks complete;
• offices having a harder time responding to needs; and
• changes in instructional practices some good but most just to be able to manage more students per staff member.
The same can be said for any business that has had to let staff go. One difference is we will still have the 1800 students show up tomorrow no matter how many adults are here to work with them. We want to do our best and are committed to doing so even with the economic conditions. I just thought it was interesting how the broader economy is affected as we often think only how the school was affected.
Thanks for the continued support as we strive for Excellence for All.
These are ballpark numbers since we can’t know each person’s individual finances but some things we know are:
• About $70,000 less in state sales tax and $30,000 less in state income tax. This adds to the state deficit and that has caused our deficit.
• About $1 million less in income that would have fed into the area economy.
• 26 fewer people stopping in for gas, groceries and other services since individuals no longer drive to work here.
In the school it has meant:
• larger class sizes;
• staff working longer to get the tasks complete;
• offices having a harder time responding to needs; and
• changes in instructional practices some good but most just to be able to manage more students per staff member.
The same can be said for any business that has had to let staff go. One difference is we will still have the 1800 students show up tomorrow no matter how many adults are here to work with them. We want to do our best and are committed to doing so even with the economic conditions. I just thought it was interesting how the broader economy is affected as we often think only how the school was affected.
Thanks for the continued support as we strive for Excellence for All.
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