School Improvement Plan

Garland Elementary School Improvement Plan Goals 2013-2014

Goal #1

Language Arts:  85% of the children in kindergarten will be at core on the final DIBELS composite score, or be on a C level, or know all letter names and sounds by the end of the year.  90% of children in grades one and two, who aren’t at benchmark on the first DIBELS composite score, will make at least a five level gain (or benchmark on the third DEBELS composite score).  90% of students in third, fourth, and fifth grades who aren’t at benchmark on the first DIBELS composite score will make at least a three level gain (or benchmark on the third DIBELS composite score).

We will conduct ongoing formative and summative grade level strand assessments throughout the year.  Weekly our grade levels will participate in PLC's to determine areas of needed tier leveled instruction. We will also use RTI to tailor individual Tier 2 interventions.

By monitoring students’ fluency throughout the year, we will be able to provide the needed interventions to fill the holes in students learning as we go along, and help all students work towards grade level fluency benchmarks.  For students 3-5th there is over an 80% correlation between students who benchmark on DIBELS and those who score proficiently on our CRT tests.

Goal #2

Math Goal:   By the end of the 2013-14 school year Garland Elementary students will achieve: Kindergarten = Ninety percent or more of the students will score 90% or better on their year-end skills assessment (Teacher Created). 1st grade = ninety percent of students will score 80% or better on addition & subtraction math facts assessment developed by the grade level.  2nd-5th Grade = Eighty five percent of the students will receive a proficient or advanced score on the SMI test or achieve one year's quantile growth for that grade (2nd - 4th = 150 Quantiles; 5th grade 80 Quantiles).

We will employ the use of Scholastics math, an intervention program to help students conceptualize math.  Using Fast math, Do the Math (a set of modules that help remediate skills that students will need to be successful in Algebra and other related math areas) and other strategies developed in our grade level PLC meetings, these skills (essentials) will be taught and mastered.

As we increase the math grade level essentials, students will in a conceptual way, understand math beyond the algorithm, to a level that they can be better problem solvers, and logical thinkers using math processes. Also grade level teams will deliver interventions through use of the "Do the Math" portion of Scholastics.

Goal #3

Writing goal:  80% of students in grade K-5 will be able to meet all grade level writing benchmarks by May 2014
Writing Benchmarks:

Kindergarten:  Students will be able to use uppercase letters at the beginning of the sentence and punctuation at the end. Learn to use spelling by sound, express ideas, and create lists. Students will be introduced to school wide graphic organizers.

1st grade:  Students will be able to write complete sentences that make sense, including details. Use correct punctuation and capital letters in sentences. Students will write in journals about their learning process. Model and use school wide graphic organizers

2nd grade:  Students will be introduced and start using the writing process, create expository pieces using main idea, 3 details, and concluding thought. In narrative, use beginning, middle and end sequencing.  Students will be exposed to research skills and 6 traits. Students will write in  journals about their learning process. Use school wide graphic organizers.

3rd grade:  Students will use school wide graphic organizers in their pre-writes, create multiple 5 sentence paragraphs. Students will learn the purpose of narrative, expository, and persuasive pieces.  Students will use research skills through computer and text sources.  They will compare and contrast. Students will develop 6 traits. Students will write in  journals about their learning process.

4th grade:  Students will write narrative, expository, and persuasive pieces with 3 or more paragraphs. These paragraphs will include more details, descriptive and use of all 6 traits. Students will learn and use correct grammar. They will participate in the editing process and type written pieces.  Students will write in  journals about their learning process. Use school wide graphic organizers.

5th grade:  Write 5 or more paragraph pieces including: narrative, persuasive, and expository pieces.  Students will learn and use correct grammar, and all 6 traits. They will participate in editing and type written pieces. .  Students will write in journals about their learning process. Use school wide graphic organizers.

Objective = To follow established vertical Benchmarks in Writing , and have students practice so they will be able to effectively demonstrate those proficiencies before they leave their current grade level.

Through the use of these writing strategies, rubrics and training this year, we desire to increase our school-wide writing proficiencies at each grade level, because as students become better readers, they will be better writers, and as they are better writers, they will be better readers.