SYRACUSE — During its regular monthly meeting Tuesday evening, Nov. 8, in Syracuse, the Wawasee school board heard a report on the school improvement plan, as well as the school achievement plan, in place at Wawasee Middle School. Susan Mishler, principal of WMS, presented the report.
Mishler noted cohort groups of students were tracked since the fall of 2012 on how they did in Northwest Evaluation Association, or NWEA, testing in reading, language arts and math. As shown on graphs, the students showed improvement in testing scores in math and reading during the four-year span. They were above the 50th percentile in all areas, an improvement compared to the past where they were above the national average less frequently.
Goals for the improvement and achievement plans are still general in nature because more specific data is needed from the last ISTEP+ testing, Mishler said. Measures put in place have included increasing some of the language arts and math classes from 60 to 90 minutes, having literacy coach Ruth Ayres work closely with some teachers and focusing more on the 1:1 computer initiative, such as with Technology Tuesdays.
Mishler added the Positive Behavioral and Intervention Supports, or PBIS, program is being relaunched at WMS and weekly writing prompts are being done more frequently with students. In addition, a committee of teachers known as the SunShine Committee has been formed to focus on how the overall school climate can be improved. And more opportunities for students have been offered during Warrior Time.
She said a main aspect of the overall purpose of the school is “really about the transition from elementary to high school” for students.
In other business, during her report to the board, Joy Goshert, assistant superintendent for curriculum, instruction and assessment, talked about the progress of meetings with Kelly Clifford from Five-Star Technology Solutions. In September, Clifford analyzed the impact of the 1:1 initiative on the school corporation. Her analysis included how proficient students, teachers and staff have been with the technology, what technology is actually used and how the technology is strengthening the pedagogy, or methods and practices of teaching, within Wawasee schools.
As an example, Clifford’s report noted under the proficiency aspect, strengths include resources used and the number of Google education apps used. But growth is needed with the use of data.
Administrators are working with Five-Star to put together a professional development plan for administrators, instructional coaches and teachers. “We hope to have that done by January so we can begin implementing it,” Goshert said. She added growth is needed with the use of the 1:1 technology, but considering the analysis took place only a few weeks after the start of school, she is pleased with the results.
Also on the agenda, the board approved a “rebranding” of the Wawasee Area Career and Technical Cooperative to Pathways. James Flecker, director of legal and personnel services for the school corporation, said WACTC will still be the legal name but Pathways was chosen because the emphasis of the career and technical program is to help students find their career paths.
The board also approved, pending state approval, to allow Columbia City High School to join the cooperative beginning with the 2017-18 school year.
More details will be released later, but there is a tour planned for local business owners and officials to see the WACTC programs Dec. 2.