Before we headed out to visit schools Friday morning (April 27), we were all invited to breakfast by Superintendent Dwight Jones. After breakfast Superintendent Jones spoke to us about the Clark County School District Ready by Exit growth model. With Kentucky beginning to implement a growth model, I found this presentation intriguing and informational. CCSD is so far ahead with the growth mdoel that they should serve as an example to all of us trying to use a growth model. In an effort to be completely transparent, their web page displays each school and where they scored on the growth model. For those of you familiar with NWEA MAP, the gridding is similar to NWEA's growth map.
The growth model they are using in the Colorado Growth Model, which Superintendent Jones and his copresenter, Dr. Kenneth Turner designed while working together in Colorado. I intend to follow their use of the Colorado growth model and learn from what they're doing.
Showing posts with label Clark County. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Clark County. Show all posts
Wednesday, May 30, 2012
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
Bracken Elementary School: CCSD Site Visit Part 6 of 7
Our final stop on our tour of schools was Bracken Elementary, one of the Clark County School District magnet schools. We were welcomed in song by a group of students, who then took us on a tour of the building and grounds. We met the school pet turtles who live in the courtyard, the faculty, parent, and student carved totem pole, as well as the community gardens. The hallways were all outdoors, which living in the midwest, we could never get away with.
As for the classrooms, we visited at least one class from each grade level. The school has Promethean boards and iPads in every classroom. The school's reading focus centers around Accelerated Reader (AR), with the principal touting the increased amount of points students have earned.
Students and teachers alike exercise every morning together on the school grounds. An interesting concept that I don't think would go over here.
Overall, I liked the tone the school sets, the leadership shown by the principal, and the accessibility of technology in every classroom. I'm not so sure I agree with the focus on AR points. I would want to dig deeper into those results and look at the actual comprehension taking place. Hopefully that's the next step for this school.
As for the classrooms, we visited at least one class from each grade level. The school has Promethean boards and iPads in every classroom. The school's reading focus centers around Accelerated Reader (AR), with the principal touting the increased amount of points students have earned.
Students and teachers alike exercise every morning together on the school grounds. An interesting concept that I don't think would go over here.
Overall, I liked the tone the school sets, the leadership shown by the principal, and the accessibility of technology in every classroom. I'm not so sure I agree with the focus on AR points. I would want to dig deeper into those results and look at the actual comprehension taking place. Hopefully that's the next step for this school.
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