Indiana Student Achievement Institute:
Public Overview of School Improvement Plans

Central Middle School: Strategy Plans

Central Middle School - Strategy Plan Report (Sun May 19 10:50:35 EDT 2013)

SIP 2010-2011

A. Parent Involvement: International Baccalaureate (IB)

Description

Teachers will meet with parents of high ability students and an IB consultant in the fall to discuss the IB curriculum and expectations.

Strategy Chair: Michael Sargent (msargent@kokomoschools.com)

Strategy plan components: Title & Description

Focus:

General

Impact Level:

High Impact - Outside

Energy Level:

Low

Forces Addressed:

We are concerned that...

  • Failure of students to turn in homework
  • Students are not utilizing teachers and self-directed study time.
  • Students don't ask appropriate questions in the classroom

Others are concerned about our...

  • Parent Involvement

Data Targets Addressed:

  • All Students - Problem Solving Math - Pass ISTEP+ Math Problem Solving
  • All students - Writing Applications - Pass the ISTEP+ Writing Applications
  • Bottom 10% Subgroup High Growth - Pass ISTEP+ English/LA
  • Target Title I Students - Passing ISTEP Language Arts Writing Process

Student groups this strategy is designed to impact:

  • All Students


B. Educator Training - Parent Involvement

Description

Our school will provide an in-service that teaches staff ways to communicate better with parents. During the in-service we will educate teachers, pupil services personnel, principals, and other staff, with the assistance of parents, in the value and utility of contributions of parents, and in how to reach out to, communicate with, and work with parents as equal partners, implement and coordinate parent programs, and build ties between parents and the school.

Strategy Chair: Kaye Hicks (khicks@kokomo.k12.in.us)

Strategy plan components: Title & Description

Focus:

Specific

Impact Level:

Low Impact

Energy Level:

Low

Forces Addressed:

  • Environment

We are concerned that...

Others are concerned about our...

  • Educator Training - Parent Involvement

Data Targets Addressed:

    Student groups this strategy is designed to impact:

    • Free/Reduced


    E. Parent Information Resource Center Website

    Description

    Central Middle school will inform parents of the Indiana PIRC website (http://www.fscp.org/index.asp) by placing a link to the PIRC website on our school website and including an insert about the PIRC website in the school newsletter.

    Strategy Chair: Kaye Hicks (khicks@kokomo.k12.in.us)

    Strategy plan components: Title & Description

    Focus:

    Specific

    Impact Level:

    High Impact - Outside

    Energy Level:

    Low

    Forces Addressed:

    • Environment

    We are concerned that...

    • An articulated curriculum does not exist.

    Others are concerned about our...

    • Parent Information Resource Center Website

    Data Targets Addressed:

    • Target Title I Students - Passing ISTEP Language Arts Writing Process

    Student groups this strategy is designed to impact:

    • Free/Reduced


    F. Encourage Rigorous Curriculum: Algebra Readiness

    Description

    The Math Teachers will test the 6th grade KEY/Acc students during the fall semester of 2010 to determine their enrollment in Algebra for 7th grade. All students in 6th grade KEY/Acc math will be tested to determine their math competency. Any 6th grade student with a raw score of 91+ as well as pass plus on ISTEP will be accelerated to 7th grade advanced math which will enable them to take Algebra as a 7th grader.

    Strategy Chair: Justin Smith (jlsmith@kokomo.k12.in.us)

    Strategy plan components: Title & Description, Task Force Roster, Strategy Data, To-Do List

    Focus:

    Specific

    Impact Level:

    Low Impact

    Energy Level:

    Medium

    Forces Addressed:

    • Extra Time/Help
    • Expectations
    • Assessment

    We are concerned that...

    • Students are not utilizing teachers and self-directed study time.
    • The staff does not use universal assessment data to plan instruction.

    Others are concerned about our...

    • Encourage Rigorous Curriculum

    Data Targets Addressed:

    • All Students - Problem Solving Math - Pass ISTEP+ Math Problem Solving

    Student groups this strategy is designed to impact:

    • All Students
    • General Ed

    Data

    Who are you trying to change with this strategy? Math Teachers
    What behavior or attitude is the strategy trying to change? Encourage math teachers to look for more students to enroll into Algebra 1 as a middle school student.
    What will you count to see if the targeted change occurred? Number of teachers providing a rigorous curriculum that increases the number of teacher recomendations of general education students for Algebra I.

    Actual and target data:

    Baseline
    09-10
    Follow Up
    10-11
    1st Semester / 1st Trimester
    Follow Up
    10-11
    2nd Semester / Last Trimester
    Actual
    Target
    Actual
    Target
    Actual
      4   5     5  

     

    Who are you trying to change with this strategy? Students
    What behavior or attitude is the strategy trying to change? Involvement in Algebra help sessions during enrichment and after school
    What will you count to see if the targeted change occurred? Student Involvement in Algebra help sessions during enrichment and after school

    Actual and target data:

    Baseline
    09-10
    Follow Up
    10-11
    1st Semester / 1st Trimester
    Follow Up
    10-11
    2nd Semester / Last Trimester
    Actual
    Target
    Actual
    Target
    Actual
        100%     100%  

     


    F. Encourage Rigorous Curriculum: Design PK-12 Articulated Curriculum

    Description

    PK-12 curriculum will be aligned vertically and horizontally for the content areas of mathematics, science, social studies and English/Language arts. The district chairs will 1) plan and provide professional development related to curriculum design based on "Understanding by Design," and 2) provide opportunities for building-level strategy chairs and curriculum designers to work. Curriculum designers (teachers appointed by the teachers' association) will 1) attend training provided by the district, 2) develop curriculum, and 3) share information with the staff, and 4) generate consensus on the curriculum. The school's strategy chair will 1) attend training provided by the district, 2) work with the curriculum designers to a) share information with the staff, and b) generate consensus on the curriculum.

    Strategy Chair: Patricia O'Brien (pobrien@kokomo.k12.in.us)

    Strategy plan components: Title & Description, To-Do List

    Focus:

    Specific

    Impact Level:

    High Impact - Inside

    Energy Level:

    High

    Forces Addressed:

    • Expectations
    • Instruction
    • Curriculum

    We are concerned that...

    • An articulated curriculum does not exist.

    Others are concerned about our...

    • Encourage Rigorous Curriculum

    Data Targets Addressed:

    • All Students - Problem Solving Math - Pass ISTEP+ Math Problem Solving
    • All students - Writing Applications - Pass the ISTEP+ Writing Applications
    • Target Title I Students - Passing ISTEP Language Arts Writing Process

    Student groups this strategy is designed to impact:

    • All Students


    I. Focused Academic Area: Writing Across the Curriculum

    Description

    Throughout the school year, teachers will implement the Simple Six Writing Process. The task force team will develop a school prompt attack policy/procedure. English/LA teachers will teach Simple Six Writing phases. All content area teachers will implement the school-wide prompt procedure.

    Strategy Chair: Vickie Linehan (slinehan@kokomoschools.com)

    Strategy plan components: Title & Description, Task Force Roster, Strategy Data, To-Do List

    Focus:

    Specific

    Impact Level:

    High Impact - Inside

    Energy Level:

    High

    Forces Addressed:

    • Instruction
    • Assessment
    • Curriculum

    We are concerned that...

    • An articulated curriculum does not exist.
    • The staff does not use universal assessment data to plan instruction.

    Others are concerned about our...

    • Focused Academic Area

    Data Targets Addressed:

    • All students - Writing Applications - Pass the ISTEP+ Writing Applications
    • Bottom 10% Subgroup High Growth - Pass ISTEP+ English/LA
    • Target Title I Students - Passing ISTEP Language Arts Writing Process

    Student groups this strategy is designed to impact:

    • All Students

    Data

    Who are you trying to change with this strategy? Teachers
    What behavior or attitude is the strategy trying to change? Teachers will require students to write for a variety of purposes and audiences using standard conventions, appropriate world choice, and sufficient detail to convey their message in all written work.
    What will you count to see if the targeted change occurred? percentage of teachers who indicate each week that they have appropriately incorporated writing into their content areas.

    Actual and target data:

    Baseline
    09-10
    Follow Up
    10-11
    1st Semester / 1st Trimester
    Follow Up
    10-11
    2nd Semester / Last Trimester
    Actual
    Target
    Actual
    Target
    Actual
      32%   50%     75%  

     


    J. Instruction by Highly Qualified Teachers

    Description

    Staff is required by the Kokomo Center Schools Human Resource Department to meet the requirements of NCLB prior to hiring. The principal at the school verifies that each staff meets the requirements of NCLB by checking records in the HR department and by discussing qualifications with staff. The principal will maintain a list of all teachers in the building that indicates whether or not each teacher holds a valid Indiana teaching license and that each teacher has demonstrated subject matter knowledge (PRAXIS, NTS, HOUSSE, CAS). If non-highly qualified teachers exist in the school, the school will provide professional development activities to assist the non-highly qualified teacher(s) in meeting the highly qualified teacher requirements. All instructional paraprofessionals will be required to meet the requirements of NCLB by providing copies of college/university transcripts and/or providing documentation of a passing score on the ParaPro. The documentation will be reviewed by HR and the principal.

    Strategy Chair: Kaye Hicks (khicks@kokomoschools.com)

    Strategy plan components: Title & Description

    Focus:

    General

    Impact Level:

    High Impact - Inside

    Energy Level:

    Low - continuation

    Forces Addressed:

    • Environment
    • Instruction

    We are concerned that...

    Others are concerned about our...

    • Instruction by Highly Qualified Teachers

    Data Targets Addressed:

    • All Students - Problem Solving Math - Pass ISTEP+ Math Problem Solving
    • All students - Writing Applications - Pass the ISTEP+ Writing Applications

    Student groups this strategy is designed to impact:

    • All Students


    R1. Parent Right-to-Know Letter - Qualifications

    Description

    The Parent Right to Know Letter is printed in the Kokomo Center Schools Guide to Policies and Procedures handbook and is distributed to all parents by mail and during enrollment. The letter is to inform parents that they have the right to request and receive information in a timely manner regarding the professional qualifications of their student's classroom teachers. Parents are required to sign a form signifying they have received/read the information in the handbook, including the parent right to know letter.

    Strategy Chair: Kaye Hicks (khicks@kokomoschools.com)

    Strategy plan components: Title & Description

    Focus:

    Specific

    Impact Level:

    Low Impact

    Energy Level:

    Low

    Forces Addressed:

    • Environment

    We are concerned that...

    Others are concerned about our...

    • Parent Right-to-Know Letter - Qualifications

    Data Targets Addressed:

    • Target Title I Students - Passing ISTEP Language Arts Writing Process

    Student groups this strategy is designed to impact:

    • Free/Reduced


    R2. Parent Right-to-Know Letter - Non-Qualified Teacher

    Description

    The Parent Right to Know Letter (Non Highly Qualified) is distributed in a timely fashion to parents of students who have been assigned, or been taught for 4 or more consecutive weeks by, a teacher who is not highly qualified.

    Strategy Chair: Kaye Hicks (khicks@kokomoschools.com)

    Strategy plan components: Title & Description

    Focus:

    General

    Impact Level:

    Low Impact

    Energy Level:

    Low

    Forces Addressed:

    • Instruction
    • Environment

    We are concerned that...

    Others are concerned about our...

    • Parent Right-to-Know Letter - Non-Qualified Teacher

    Data Targets Addressed:

    • Target Title I Students - Passing ISTEP Language Arts Writing Process

    Student groups this strategy is designed to impact:

    • Free/Reduced


    S. School-Parent Compact

    Description

    Our school will develop a school-parent compact that outlines how parents, the entire school staff, and students share the responsibility for improved student academic achievement and the means by which the school and parents will build and develop a partnership to help children achieve the State's high standards. The school-parent compact will be revised and reviewed annually by staff and parents. The compact will be shared with parents and students during parent conferences. Moreover, it is mailed to all parents.

    Strategy Chair: Kaye Hicks (khicks@kokomo.k12.in.us)

    Strategy plan components: Title & Description

    Focus:

    Specific

    Impact Level:

    Low Impact

    Energy Level:

    Low

    Forces Addressed:

    • Environment
    • Expectations

    We are concerned that...

    Others are concerned about our...

    • School-Parent Compact

    Data Targets Addressed:

    • Target Title I Students - Passing ISTEP Language Arts Writing Process

    Student groups this strategy is designed to impact:

    • Free/Reduced


    T. Annual Parent Meeting

    Description

    Parents are invited to attend the annual Title I meeting to learn about the school's participation in Title I, Part A programs, and to explain the Title I, Part A requirements and the right of parents to be involved in those programs. Meetings are held at the school with sessions during the day and the evening. Parents are given copies of the Parent Involvement Policy, School-Parent Compact and the School Improvement Plan. Parent input is encouraged and discussed as revisions are made to these documents. Documentation including an agenda and a parent sign-in sheet will be kept in preparation for a DOE monitoring visit.

    Strategy Chair: Kaye Hicks (khicks@kokomo.k12.in.us)

    Strategy plan components: Title & Description

    Focus:

    Specific

    Impact Level:

    Low Impact

    Energy Level:

    Low

    Forces Addressed:

    • Environment

    We are concerned that...

    Others are concerned about our...

    • Annual Parent Meeting

    Data Targets Addressed:

    • Target Title I Students - Passing ISTEP Language Arts Writing Process

    Student groups this strategy is designed to impact:

    • Free/Reduced


    U. Focused Student Group: Free and Reduced Lunch Students: English & Math Enrichment (EME)

    Description

    During the daily enrichment period, English and Math teachers will provide remediation to students who did not pass the English and/or Math portion of the ISTEP.

    Strategy Chair: Laura Upchurch (lupchurch@kokomo.k12.in.us)

    Strategy plan components: Title & Description, Task Force Roster, Strategy Data, To-Do List

    Focus:

    Specific

    Impact Level:

    High Impact - Inside

    Energy Level:

    High

    Forces Addressed:

    • Instruction
    • Assessment
    • Curriculum

    We are concerned that...

    • Failure of students to turn in homework
    • Students are not utilizing teachers and self-directed study time.
    • Students don't ask appropriate questions in the classroom

    Others are concerned about our...

    • Focused Student Group

    Data Targets Addressed:

    • All Students - Problem Solving Math - Pass ISTEP+ Math Problem Solving
    • All students - Writing Applications - Pass the ISTEP+ Writing Applications
    • Bottom 10% Subgroup High Growth - Pass ISTEP+ English/LA
    • Target Title I Students - Passing ISTEP Language Arts Writing Process

    Student groups this strategy is designed to impact:

    • Free/Reduced

    Data

    Who are you trying to change with this strategy? Teachers
    What behavior or attitude is the strategy trying to change? Teachers will institute various methods of remediation, including, but not limited to, Study Island, Acuity Remediation, and teacher made materials.
    What will you count to see if the targeted change occurred? percentage of teachers (Math/English) utilizing remediation strategies.

    Actual and target data:

    Baseline
    09-10
    Follow Up
    10-11
    1st Semester / 1st Trimester
    Follow Up
    10-11
    2nd Semester / Last Trimester
    Actual
    Target
    Actual
    Target
    Actual
      50%   75%     100%   40%