Watertown Public Schools Improvement Plans

J UN E 2

4 T H , 20 1 3

WATERTO

WN PUBLIC

SCHOOLS

IMPR

OVEMENT P

LANS

DISTRICT GOALS (ADOPTED IN 2009)

• Support High Academic Achievement

• Foster Self Actualization

• Promote Global and Local Citizenship

DISTRICT IMPROVEMENT GOALSStudent Learning

During the 2013 -2014 school year 95% of Watertown students will demonstrate improvement in literacy skills across the content areas as measured by pre and post District Assessments.

PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE

By June 2014 all faculty will have completed 10 hours of professional development targeted on Differentiated Instruction strategies specifically focused on the needs of special education and ELL students.

ELEMENTARY S

CHOOL

IMPROVEMENT P

LAN

FOCUS

• Academic Achievement and Excellent Instruction

• Professional Learning

• Strong School Communities

ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT AND EXCELLENT INSTRUCTION

• Curriculum Mapping

• Differentiated Instruction

• Common and Project Based Assessments

PROFESSIONAL LEARNING

• Professional Development

• Professional Collaboration

STRONG SCHOOL COMMUNITIES

• Service Initiatives

• Student Leadership Opportunities

• Community Partnerships

WATERTO

WN MIDDLE

SCHOOL

SCHOOL IMPR

OVEMENT

PLAN

FOCUS

• Curriculum Articulation and Benchmarking

• Professional Learning

• Academic Transitions

• School Culture

CURRICULUM ARTICULATION AND BENCHMARKING

• Benchmark development and accountability: the "baseball card"

• Common assessments and data analysis

• Curriculum review and replenishment cycle

PROFESSIONAL LEARNING

Collaborative Teacher Goals

• Critical Explorers• The Design Process• Teaching Diverse Learners• Using Data to Inform Instruction

ACADEMIC TRANSITIONS• Grade 6

o A more "elementary" style sixth grade schedule

o More support classes for sixth gradeo Catch-Up Math

• Grade 8o Availability of middle school data for the high

schoolo Explicit identification of eighth grade students

needing support or more challengeo Peer meetings between high school and

middle school students

SCHOOL CULTURE

• Enrichment classes• After school programming• Memorable experiences• Student leadership and feedback• Lunch• Community events

WATERTO

WN HIGH SCHOOL

IMPROVEM

ENT PLAN

EXPAND COMMON PLANNING TIME

Officially – none! (function of a 6-period vs. a 7-period schedule)

High, high interest from faculty; high, high support in research.

Structured collaborative planning time, with focus on student work and teacher planning = better instruction

9th grade English/social studies; math/science; many ESL and Special Ed. Teachers

Further expansion will require reduction of unscheduled students.

GENUINE, QUALITY ACCREDITATION EXPERIENCE

• NEASC decennial visit in 2015. Requested Spring, 2015.

• Self-Study and Improvement Year in 2013-2014• PD commitment over two years• Financial commitment in 2014-2015

IMPLEMENT SCHOOL-WIDE LEARNING EXPECTATIONS

• NEASC Requirement

• Useful for cross-departmental student assessment, professional learning, and school reflection

• Focus for 2013-2014 school yearEffective Oral and Written CommunicationCollege, Career, and Life Skill Readiness

RESPONSIVE USE OF TECHNOLOGY FOR INSTRUCTION AND COMMUNICATION

Explore High Interest in the Following

BYOD 1-to-1 initiativeInfrastructureProfessional Development

Communication and Collaboration beyond he walls of the classroom

Online grade bookClass websites and learning resourcesGoogle sites, itslearning

MAINTAIN AND EXPAND ADVISORY PROGRAM

• Began in 2011-2012 for 9th and 10th grade. Single curriculum – anti-bullying and WHS transition

• This year – added 10th grade curriculum and expanded peer leader program

• Next year – add 11th grade curriculum on college and career preparation.

• Extraordinary Teacher Leadership!!!

REDUCE ACADEMIC FAILURE RATE, INCREASE GRADUATION RATES

State Targets for each WHS cohort:

4-year rate: 90%5-year rate: 95%

History has been low 80s and high 80s…This Year – 178 seniors, 175 graduated (3

with certificate of attainment), 2 more graduating early before September.

Why? PUSH, Data Team, Credit Recovery, Attendance Officer, Guidance, Work of SST and associate headmaster, English Department…. Continue….

THANK YO

U!

H A V E A G

R E A T SU M M E R !