Bland County Public Schools. Six-Year Comprehensive School Improvement Plan

Transcription

1 Bland County Public Schools Six-Year Comprehensive School Improvement Plan

2 Introduction Bland County is located in the southwestern portion of the Commonwealth of Virginia. The County lies within the Appalachian Regional Commission s definition of the Appalachian region. The county is mountainous with small river valleys running throughout the area. The United States Census Bureau estimated the population of Bland County to be 6,735 in Manufacturing jobs are the main employment opportunities in Bland County with agriculture playing a vital role as well. Almost 78% of the county is wooded which includes a portion of the Jefferson National Forest and a section of the Appalachian Trail. The county is also known for the two tunnels on Interstate 77 that are located at each end of the county which offer a memorable experience. The school system has experienced a continuous decline of student enrollment over the past decade. In the summer of 2014 Bland County Public Schools consolidated the four schools into two schools to better meet the needs of the students and to address the financial issues created by loss of federal, state, and local monies. The school district now is comprised of two schools, Bland County Elementary School and Bland County High School. Bland County Elementary School is comprised of grades PK-6 th with a total school population of 424. Bland County High School is comprised of grades 7 th -12 th with a total school population of 402. The consolidation of schools was a passion filled experience for many in the Bland County, but the communities have pulled together to work and make the school system as successful as possible. The students have been afforded new class offerings while the division has been able to protect relatively small student to teacher ratios. Bland County Public Schools received full accreditation status from the Virginia Department of Education for Bland County Elementary School and for Bland County High School. The school division has also received full accreditation from Advance Ed. Now that Bland County Public Schools have faced the consolidation issue the focus now turns to planning for the future of the division. The dilemma the school system now faces is whether to invest in the existing facilities or to research and plan for a new school in Bland County. As with all decisions of this magnitude, careful planning will need to take place with the input from all key stakeholders and citizens of Bland County.

3 Our current staff is comprised of: Elementary Teachers: 39 Secondary Teachers: 33 Guidance Counselors: 2 Librarians: 2 Nurses: 2 Speech Pathologist: 1 Transportation: 15 Special Transportation: 2 Mechanics: 1.5 Cafeteria staff: 10 al Aides: 9 Custodians: 6 Maintenance: 2 Principals: 2 School Secretaries: 3 Superintendent: 1 Director of Business/Finance: 1 Director of Curriculum/: 1 Supervisor of Special Services/Transportation: 1 Federal Programs Clerk: 1 Supervisor of Technology/Director of Testing 1 Technology Support 1 The Bland County School Board consists of four members, all of whom are elected by district on a rotating basis.

4 Mission Bland County Public Schools strives to provide a safe and challenging environment where students will be given the opportunity to learn and acquire skills necessary for a responsible and productive life while developing an appreciation for their community. Bland County Public Schools wish to foster a learning environment where all students successfully develop the individual skills, the desire for knowledge, and the personal commitment essential for a successful future. Vision Bland County Public Schools will strive to educate our students in every facet of life so that they may serve our society as worthy citizens of the home, school, and community. Development of the fundamental process of learning, including 21 st Century technology skills, along with ethical character, physical and mental health, and respect for the property of others will be focus points for our division. Each student should contribute significantly to and benefit from the total school program. The curriculum is diversified and conducive to all students finding an academic path to prepare them for lifelong learning and future employment. Teachers will provide stimulating classroom environments, in which constructive learning experiences may take place. These experiences should be relevant to the students lives and should foster attitudes of cooperation and respect among teachers, students, administration, parents, and citizens of the community. The combination of instructional objectives, co-curricular, and extra-curricular activities helps to meet the students physical, social, and emotional needs. These areas of focus allow our students to develop creative initiative, special interests, leadership skills, and self direction during these formative years. All of these educational and social aspects fit into our vision of Bland County Public Schools where every student will be afforded the opportunity to excel intellectually and personally as they take their place as productive members of our community and society. Our Purpose We embody our mission, vision, beliefs, and values in all aspects of the total school program. The Virginia Standards of Learning serves as a guideline Bland County Public Schools curriculum and instruction. In addition to our core academic offerings, students in Bland County Public school are also offered coursed in Agriculture, Art, Band, Music, Business & Information Technology, drama, journalism, and foreign language. Students in Bland County are also afforded the opportunity to go to the Career and Technical Centers in Tazewell. This allows our students to gain valuable technical and vocational skills to prepare them for future learning and work force training.

5 Beliefs & Values As a school system and as individual learning communities at the school level, we have a core set of values and beliefs that stem from the primary belief that all children can learn and should have the opportunity to receive the best education possible. We believe the school should instill students with a positive image and self-worth gained through student effort and participation in school curriculum and school activities. Students will be afforded the opportunity to master certain basic skills which will serve as tools for future success. Each student will be prepared to continue his/her education and training or to successfully enter the global workforce and economy. We believe our schools will facilitate intellectual, social, emotional, and physical growth of all students. The curriculum will be rigorous and relevant and will ensure opportunities for intervention, enrichment, and growth for all students. By providing well trained and highly qualified faculty to the students, Bland County Public Schools will provide opportunity for all students to develop 21 st century learning skills necessary to become productive members of our

6 TARGETED AREA: INSTRUCTIONAL PLANNING GOAL: TO REVISE THE BLAND COUNTY CURRICULUM MAP PACING GUIDE (CURRICULUM GUIDE) 1. The Curriculum Guide will show alignment with the SOL and Curriculum Framework Essential Knowledge & Skills in both content and cognitive level. 2. The Curriculum Guide will facilitate students use of higher level thinking skills. Staff Development focusing on Unpacking the Standards. Revision of lesson plan template to meet all of the Virginia Department of Education Alignment tool. Staff development handouts. Attendance roster of all staff development meetings. Examples of new lesson plan being used in classroom instructional planning. Superintendent Director of Curriculum & Administrators Teachers May 2015

7 TARGETED AREA: INSTRUCTIONAL PLANNING GOAL: TO REVISE THE BLAND COUNTY CURRICULUM MAP PACING GUIDE (CURRICULUM GUIDE) 3. The Curriculum Guide will show alignment of learning experiences, assessments, and resources with the Curriculum Framework Essential Knowledge and Skills content and cognitive levels. 4. Pacing Guides will be in alignment with the Blueprint. Curriculum design meetings to revise the current curriculum guide. Staff development on Marzano s high yield instructional strategies Staff development on new lesson plan template Completed version of the updated Curriculum Guide. Superintendent Director of Curriculum & Administrators Teachers Fall 2016

8 TARGETED AREA: INSTRUCTIONAL PLANNING GOAL: To Align all division-wide benchmark assessments with the SOL and the Curriculum Framework. 1. Teachers will use Interactive Achievement test bank materials and complete a cross-walk to ensure that all assessment items are at the appropriate cognitive level. 2. Teachers will revise benchmark assessments to align with updated Curriculum & Pacing Guides. Staff development & teacher meeting time to review IA test bank questions. Staff development meetings for teachers to construct a cross walk to ensure cognitive level of benchmark assessments. Handouts from Staff Development Teacher attendance sheets from Staff Development meetings Benchmark assessments Superintendent Director of Curriculum & Director of Special Services Administrators Teachers Ongoing

9 TARGETED AREA: INSTRUCTIONAL PLANNING GOAL: To Align all division-wide benchmark assessments with the SOL and the Curriculum Framework. 3. Central office will create a shared drive for documents so that all instructional faculty can store/share documents. Staff development for teachers/central office to implement & utilize the shared drive. Teachers/staff using drive for sharing of documents & folders. Director of Curriculum & Principals Director of Technology Teachers Ongoing

10 TARGETED AREA: al Planning GOAL: Bland County Public Schools will implement a divison-wide lesson plan format Bland County will implement one lesson plan format for use that includes A. Alignment with/of SOL B. Pacing and Sequencing C. Documents student learning experiences Staff development & teacher meetings to design the lesson plan and to assist with the implementation. Documentation of staff development meetings. Copies of the new lesson template. Examples of teacher plans utilizing the new instrument. Director of Curriculum & Administrators Teachers Begin in September 2014 continuous & ongoing

11 TARGETED AREA: GOAL: Bland County Public Schools will continue to strive to increase student achievement to meet or exceed state and federal accreditation benchmarks. To improve student achievement on SOL tests and industry assessments. Teachers will be provided with test data to guide classroom instruction. Building administrators will protect instructional time by minimizing class interruptions. Students deemed to be at risk learners will be provided opportunities to have tutoring and remediation. SOL Test Data Interactive Achievement benchmark test data School master schedule Teacher lesson plans Intervention & remediation schedules Building Administrators Director of Testing Director Curriculum & Teachers Continuing and ongoing through 2021

12 TARGETED AREA: Increase College Preparedness of Graduating Seniors GOAL: Provide a Master Schedule that Increases the Number of Courses that are College Prep Level. 1. Increase the number of classes that qualify for dual enrollment. 2. Increase the number of classes and student enrollment in Advanced Placement courses. 3. Increase college awareness of students at the secondary level. Schedule more dual enrollment courses based on instructor licensure. Counsel and recruit more students to enroll in Dual Enrollment and Advanced Placement courses. Increase number of students completing the Advanced Placement exams. Counseling workshops for parents & students regarding college readiness. Number of students enrolled in AP and Dual Enrollment courses. Number of students completing the AP exam at a level 3 or higher. Number of dual enrollment courses offered in secondary master schedule. Workshop agendas and handouts for counseling sessions. Superintendent Director of Curriculum & Administrators Guidance Counselors Ongoing

13 TARGETED AREA: BLAND COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS: SIX YEAR PLAN GOAL: To Provide Opportunities for Students to Develop Work Based Learning Skills and Post-Secondary Education/Training Plans 1. All students will have an academic career plan upon completing 7 th grade. 2. High School will provide opportunities for students to job shadow in relevant industries. 3. High School will continue with Business Department Job Fair. Creation of Academic Career Plan for all 7 th graders. Job shadowing opportunities will be facilitated by administration and offered to students. Partnership with Wytheville Community College in Academic Planning and Career Pathways. Job Fair and college day participation. Samples of 7 th grade Academic Career Plans Partnerships with local business/industry allowing student job shadowing participation. Career Pathways created in partnership with Wytheville Community College. Utilization of the Virginia Wizard for career planning. Director of Curriculum & Administrators Guidance Counselors Teachers Community College staff Ongoing

14 TARGETED AREA: Climate/Safety GOAL: To Develop Comprehensive Safety Plans for Elementary and High School 1. To develop and ensure that each school s Crisis Management Plan is within framework of state & federal guidelines. Ensure that school Crisis Management Plans encompass all areas of state & federal guidelines regarding student safety, building/ground security, Crisis Response Team. Annual presentation of plans to School Board. Individual School Crisis Plan Building Administrators Crisis Management Teams Superintendent August/September of each year

15 TARGETED AREA: Safety BLAND COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS: SIX YEAR PLAN GOAL: To Involve Key Stakeholders on Crisis Response Teams To involve and include public agencies on local crisis response teams. The inclusion of local and state agencies on crisis response teams. Sheriff s Office State Police First Responders School Resource Officer School Nurse Fire Department Health Department Mock drills held on school grounds that include agencies in response/practice drills. Superintendent Yearly

16 TARGETED AREA: English Language Learners GOAL: To Identify students needing English Language Learning Assistance To assess students proficiency in the use of the English Language based on standards set forth in No Child Left Behind Assess all kindergarten & newly enrolled students with the Bland County Home Language Survey. Students qualifying will be assessed with the WIDA assessment instrument. Home language surveys WIDA test results Director of Curriculum & Director of Testing Building Administrators ESOL teachers Ongoing

17 TARGETED AREA: /Remediation GOAL: To provide SOL remediation/intervention for students in grades To provide remediation opportunities for students as needed. Provide tutoring for students both before and after school. Provide opportunities for remediation & intervention during the regular school day. Log of students attending remediation sessions. Project Graduation Grant participation Master Schedule indicating periods for remediation. Superintendent Director of Curriculum & Building Administrators al Staff/Tutors Ongoing

18 TARGETED AREA: Alternative Assessment GOAL: To develop and implement alternative assessments in 3 rd grade Science, 3 rd grade Social Studies, U.S. History to 1865, and U.S. History 1865 to present, and 5 th grade writing. 1. To develop alternative assessments for the following SOLs: 3 rd grade Science, 3 rd grade Social Studies, U.S. History to 1865, U.S. History 1865 to present, and 5 th grade writing. Provide professional development on authentic alternative assessments Development of curriculum analysis to identify the cognitive level of each standard and appropriate alternative assessments to be implemented Creation of curriculum crosswalk to determine areas that can be assessed through writing Attendance logs for professional development events Alternative Assessment Content Crosswalk Alternative Assessment Guide Alternative Assessment portfolios Alternative Assessment reporting to the Virginia Department of Education Superintendent Director of Curriculum & Supervisor of Technology Supervisor of Special Services Building Administrators Teachers Draft 1 will be completed by May 2015 Revisions will be made yearly

19 TARGETED AREA: Alternative Assessment GOAL: To develop and implement alternative assessments in 3 rd grade Science, 3 rd grade Social Studies, U.S. History to 1865, and U.S. History 1865 to present, and 5 th grade writing. Creation of Alternative Assessment guide which provides written descriptions of alternative assessments to administered Compilation of student evidence of alternative assessments

20 TARGETED AREA: Teacher Evaluation GOAL: To revise the current teacher evaluation model Revise the current teacher evaluation model Develop a Teacher Evaluation committee comprised of teachers and administrators Study directives from the Virginia Department of Education regarding Standard 7: Student Academic Progress Minutes of meetings of Evaluation Committee Professional Development attendance sheets Notes regarding feedback on sample assessments Survey data collected to obtain feedback on revised form Superintendent Director of Curriculum & Supervisor of Technology Supervisor of Special Services Building Administrators Teachers Full Implementation by 2020

21 TARGETED AREA: Teacher Evaluation GOAL: To revise the current teacher evaluation model Provide professional development on Student Growth percentiles Review current evaluation systems in place in other school districts Develop a draft of the new teacher evaluation template and gather feedback from stakeholders Revise draft of teacher evaluation model and present to Bland County School Board for review Adopt new evaluation model

22 TARGETED AREA: Safety BLAND COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS: SIX YEAR PLAN GOAL: To equip all school buses with digital cameras (2 cameras per bus) To equip all buses with newer digital cameras. Each bus will have two cameras; 1. To monitor the front of the bus. 2. To monitor the middle/rear of the bus. Digital cameras offer a better quality picture and the audio is of better quality than the current VHS recordings. Use local funds as well as grant fund opportunities to equip each bus that transports students for regular school and for student activities and sports. Each bus will have two new digital cameras. Supervisor of Transportation Begin installation in summer of 2015

23 TARGETED AREA: Capital Improvements GOAL: Develop and maintain a list of capital projects that will enhance the safety of each facility while providing an environment that facilitates both teaching and learning. Appropriate school facilities and equipment will be available to provide for a safe environment that is conducive to meeting our students, faculty, and staff needs. 1. Classroom needs at Elem/HS. 2. HVAC needs 3. Roofing evaluation 4. Church Project (High School Campus) 5. Playground needs (elementary school campus) 6. Transportation (fleet replacement) 7. Other items as noted in facility needs assessment Develop a comprehensive list of needs for the school system to include all aspects of student/teacher/staff safety, learning, transportation, activities, etc A plan that will detail the needs as well the expected funding needed to facilitate project(s). Superintendent School Board Supervisor of Transportation Director of Finance Administrators Maintenance Staff Teachers Director of Supervisor of Food Services Beginning in Spring of

24 TARGETED AREA: Parent & Community Involvement GOAL: Engage parents and the community to solicit input and suggestions pertaining to the school system. 1. The division will seek to better facilitate the flow of communication with all stakeholders. These stakeholders should include all parents, local businesses, and community members. Invite parent and community member participation on division-level committees. Continue to utilize the division/school websites to provide information to the community and offer online opportunities for feedback and input. Publish a newsletter quarterly that highlights school events and upcoming school functions Committee minutes and attendance forms Website data Copies of newsletter Superintendent Director of Supervisor of Special Education Supervisor of Technology Administrators Teachers Beginning Spring Semester 2015

25 TARGETED AREA: Human Resources GOAL: Continue to attract, hire, retain and train highly quality and qualified personnel in all positions within Bland County Public Schools. 1. To provide funding and support to teachers and administrators to continue coursework and/or pursue advanced degrees. 2. To continue to offer staff development that targets areas of need based on teacher feedback and test data. Continue to conduct staff development on Mondays of each week for both local and district wide staff development. Staff development schedule List of staff development topics and activities Transcripts of coursework completion Director of Administrators Teachers Continuous and ongoing

26 TARGETED AREA: Human Resources GOAL: Continue to attract, hire, retain and train highly quality and qualified personnel in all positions within Bland County Public Schools. 1. To structure the salary and benefit schedule of each BCPS employee category to remain competitive within our region and similar sized divisions throughout the Commonwealth. Research salary scales of surrounding divisions and those of divisions with similar populations within Virginia. New Salary scales School Board Superintendent Director of Finance Beginning with budget cycle and continuing until all scales are representative of surrounding divisions.

27 TARGETED AREA: GOAL: BLAND COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS: SIX YEAR PLAN

28 TARGETED AREA: GOAL: BLAND COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS: SIX YEAR PLAN

29 TARGETED AREA: GOAL: BLAND COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS: SIX YEAR PLAN