Time for a deep breath. This is a very short moment with Vern!
published September 30, 2011
Homecoming
Next week is a week full of fun and festivities and can be a week where our attention could momentarily be diverted from teaching and learning. I trust we will have fun throughout the week and I truly believe all of our activities will be aligned to standards. I will be in the buildings throughout the week. Please let me know if there is something you wish me to witness
As an FYI, the high school will dismiss early Friday to prepare for the homecoming parade. I did agree to this primarily from the stand point of safety. Giving the high school time to prepare for the parade relieves stress on traffic around the buildings and with travel to the parade.
State Accountability Plan
I represent South Sioux City Community Schools on the Greater Nebraska Superintendents (GNS). This is a group that has influence at the legislative level, and when combined with the board of education, can impact decisions on different pieces of legislation. Last week Commissioner Roger Breed visited with GNS about the state’s plan for accountability outlined in LB635. Here is a bulleted list of key components of that plan:
- Includes multiple measures
- NeSA Assessments – 4 Subjects
- Graduation Rate
- Participation Rate – 95%
- Growth and Improvement (Achievement Data)
- Growth – An example of a growth question. Did last year’s third grader students show continued growth while they were in the 4th grade this school year? (Cohort Data)
- Improvement – An example of improvement. A comparison of last year’s 4th grade students to this year’s 4th grade students. (Program Data)
- Looks at individual schools and the entire school district
- Usable information, that is understandable, and is transparent (I think NDE stole this language )
- LB 635 (Quality Education Accountability Act) – Please google LB635 if you wish to have more information about this particular bill.
Stress
I recognize there is a degree of stress felt by each adult in our family. Stress about student achievement, stress about new learning, and stress about improvement is a part of our daily life. Please know that I recognize there is stress and please know I feel that same degree of stress as well.
From your superintendent, I hope the following helps relieve some stress –
I believe we are a talented group of educators who deeply care about teaching and learning.
I believe we are committed to grow in our craft each day.
I believe it will take time to get back to the level of achievement we are accustomed to and I believe we all understand that the level of student achievement grows each day we are in front of kids. I believe we will get back to the level of achievement we are accustomed to.
I believe we understand that each day is a day where we grow together as educators and our collective growth each day impacts students.
I believe learning IS NOT about test scores. I believe that a guaranteed and viable curriculum combined with formative assessments will realize continual growth for all students. Both of which we are paying attention to as a team, as a educational family.
I believe in you, in us, in our family.
