Cedar RapidsCommunitySchool District

SchoolImprovementPlan
McKinleyMiddle School

District Vision Statement

Excellence For All
GUIDING PHILOSOPHY
Continuous Improvement / District Mission Statement
To develop world-class learners and responsible citizens
District Core Values
Customer Satisfaction
Data-Driven Decisions
Learning For All
Teamwork
Visionary Leadership / District Goals
1.)Improve student performance in communication, mathematics, and science
2.)Enhance social, emotional, and behavioral development
3.)Develop a diverse workforce that utilizes exemplary professional practices
4.)Operate with fiscal integrity, efficiency, and effectiveness
5.)Increase family and community support for student learning and citizenship development

Section 1: School Improvement Goals

Goal 1: / During the 2006-2007 school year, all McKinley students will read grade level material with at least 80% comprehension as measured by the Basic Reading Inventory Assessment taken four times during the school year.
Goal 2: / During the 2006-2007 school year, McKinleyMiddle School will create a climate that will see increased connectedness of staff, students, and families as measured by feedback from stakeholders.
Goal 3: / During the 2006-2007 school year, all McKinley students participating in the general education curriculum will take a cumulative pre and post-test over district curriculum and reach 75% proficiency by the end of the school year.
Goal 4: / During the 2006-2007 school year, all students will improve their ability to interpret data as measured by an increase in the Percent Proficient results on individual grade level District Science Assessments.

McKinleyMiddle School - SIP Target Detail (Reading Comprehension)

SIP Goal # 1 of 4

1.) State the goal. (use SMART format- Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Results-oriented, Target date).

During the 2006-2007 school year, all McKinley students will read grade level material fluently with at least 80% comprehension as measured by the Basic Reading Inventory Assessment taken four times during the school year.

2.) Describe data sources consulted and a summary analysis of the data that indicate the need for the goal.

ITBS Reading Comprehension data from the 2005-06 school year indicate the following student subgroup performance proficiency levels:

All / African-American / Free/Reduced / IEP
6th grade / 61% / 35.5% / 45.1% / 14%
7th grade / 59.6% / 33.3% / 40.4% / 9.8%
8th grade / 68% / 41.2% / 45.6% / 16.2%

Results from Grant Wood AEA Agency-Wide Curriculum—Based Measurement Norms.

6th grade—122 wpm

7th grade—144 wpm

8th grade—164 wpm

Results from 2005-06 pre-test and post-test of 6th grade curriculum base reading fluency assessments.

Pre-test / Post-test
6th grade
7th grade
8th grade

3.)

Identify the correlation of the stated school improvement goal to the strategic plan.

Check all that apply:

District Goals

Improve all student performance in communication, mathematics and science.

Enhance student social, emotional, and behavioral development.

Develop a diverse workforce that utilizes exemplary professional practices.

Operate with fiscal integrity, efficiency, and effectiveness.

Increase family and community support for student learning and citizenship development.

4.) Summarize how this goal will be measured. What will be the evidence of goal attainment?

This goal will be measured by the attainment of all students reading grade level material fluently with at least 80% comprehension as measured by the Basic Reading Inventory Assessment taken four times during the school year.

In-process measures will be developed by the individual Action Research teams to monitor progress toward goal attainment.

Action Plan

SIP Goal # 1:
During the 2006-2007 school year, all McKinley students will read grade level material fluently with at least 80% comprehension as measured by the Basic Reading Inventory Assessment taken four times during the school year.
Description of Proposed Action/Activity (What is going to be done to address this goal?) / Research/Rationale For Activity (Explain how best practices and research justify this activity) / Results
(What will be the evidence of completion of the activity?) /

Resources

(Funding Source & Cost) /

Timeline

(When will the activity occur?)
Activity #1 of 2:
The Communications Action Research Team will apply the Plan, Do, Study, Act (PDSA) cycle to their curricular area. Root cause will be identified and an improvement theory based on research and best practices will be implemented.
The Basic Reading Inventory will be administered in September, November, February, and May. / CRCSD has set and communicated direction for quality through the 4 Quality Levels of Continuous Improvement. / PDSA storyboards/displays will be posted in the building. Students will use data folders to show pre-test and post-test results from B.R.I. Assessments. / Storyboard costs.
Data folder costs. / The activity will take place during the 2006-07 schoolyear.
Professional Development:
District and Building in-service training on the PDSA cycle. / 2006-07 schoolyear.

McKinley Middle School - SIP Target Detail (Social, Emotional, Behavioral)

SIP Goal # 2 of 4

1.) State the goal. (use SMART format- Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Results-oriented, Target date).

During the 2006-2007 school year, McKinleyMiddle School will create a climate that will see increased connectedness of staff, students, and families as measured by feedback from stakeholders.

2.) Describe data sources consulted and a summary analysis of the data that indicate the need for the goal.

It is apparent that there is a need for this goal from reviewing school data in the following areas:

  • Student Relationship Survey
  • Student participation numbers in extracurricular activities (sports/PACT/fine arts)
  • Faculty Climate Survey
  • Parent participation rate in Fall/Winter conferences

There is strong evidence to suggest students who (whose)…

  • report having no caring adult at school with whom they have connected
  • are not engaged in co-curricular or extra-curricular activities
  • parents are not actively engaged in the learning environment
  • teachers are not connect to the learning community

…do not achieve at high levels of academic success. This goal is intended to provide students with a learning environment that produces high levels of academic success school-wide, by addressing the connections that students, parents and teachers feel to the climate and culture of McKinleyMiddle School.

3.)

Identify the correlation of the stated school improvement goal to the strategic plan.

Check all that apply:

District Goals

Improve all student performance in communication, mathematics and science.

Enhance student social, emotional, and behavioral development.

Develop a diverse workforce that utilizes exemplary professional practices.

Operate with fiscal integrity, efficiency, and effectiveness.

Increase family and community support for student learning and citizenship development.

4.) Summarize how this goal will be measured. What will be the evidence of goal attainment?

Results of the October (pre) student/parent/teacher connectedness surveys will serve as a baseline and will be used to develop a plan for improvement that will be assessed by the April (post) survey to determine the effectiveness of the plan. The goal will be measured by comparing the pre and post survey results which will generate a percent gained from October to April. The targeted percent gained will vary by stakeholder. In addition, the following in-process measures will be used to determine effectiveness throughout the year:

  • Student participation in co-curricular and extra-curricular activities
  • Parent participation in conferences and other special events
  • Grade reports
  • Student social-emotional data folders
  • Staff participation in social gatherings

Action Plan

SIP Goal #2:
During the 2006-2007 school year, McKinleyMiddle School will create a climate that will see increased connectedness of staff, students, and families as measured by feedback from stakeholders.
Description of Proposed Action/Activity (What is going to be done to address this goal?) / Research/Rationale For Activity (Explain how best practices and research justify this activity) / Results
(What will be the evidence of completion of the activity?) /

Resources

(Funding Source & Cost) /

Timeline

(When will the activity occur?)
Activity #1of 4:
The McKinley Social Emotional Action Research Team will apply the Plan, Do, Study Act (PDSA) cycle to their SMART goal to make improvements. The following steps will be followed:
  • Define the system
  • Assess the current situation
  • Analyze the causes
  • Try out improvement theory
  • Study the results
  • Standardize the improvement
  • Plan for continuous improvement
/ Effective schools research (Leithwood and Riehl, 2003) indicates a correlation between increased student achievement and the following characteristics:
  • Clear and shared focus
  • High levels of collaboration and communication
  • Frequent monitoring of teaching and learning
  • Focused professional development
Action Research stresses the importance of collaboration, shared focus and the monitoring of teaching and learning. Therefore, through the process of data collection and analysis of root causes, a research-based improvement theory will be implemented. / PDSA storyboards/displays will be posted in the building by the Social Emotional Action Research Team / Cost of story boards ($50.00) / During the 2006-2007 school year
Professional Development:
District and Building in-service training on the PDSA cycle. / 2006-07 schoolyear.
Description of Proposed Action/Activity (What is going to be done to address this goal?) / Research/Rationale For Activity (Explain how best practices and research justify this activity) / Results
(What will be the evidence of completion of the activity?) /

Resources

(Funding Source & Cost) /

Timeline

(When will the activity occur?)
Activity #2of 4:
Zoomerang surveys will be conducted with all students in grades 6-8, parents of students in grades 6-8 and all teachers/staff members to obtain a number of all students, teachers and parents who:
  • report having at least one positive adult figure at school with whom they feel connected (students)
  • are engaged in co-curricular or extracurricular activities (students)
  • feel connected to the learning community of the building (teachers)
  • feel that the culture and climate of the school is positive (teachers)
  • feel welcomed and invested in the culture of the school (parents)
  • are actively engaged in their child’s academic career (parents)
/ CRCSD has set the enhancement of social and emotional development as one its Strategic Plan goals. / PDSA storyboards/displays will posted in the building / None / October 2006
Professional Development:
Description of Proposed Action/Activity (What is going to be done to address this goal?) / Research/Rationale For Activity (Explain how best practices and research justify this activity) / Results
(What will be the evidence of completion of the activity?) /

Resources

(Funding Source & Cost) /

Timeline

(When will the activity occur?)
Activity #3of 4:
Results of the survey will be reviewed to determine the root causes. Using the PDSA process, interventions will be designed to address each area of concern. Possible interventions will include:
  • Designing and implementing opportunities for students to get involved in extra-curricular activities
  • Designing opportunities for teachers to get to know other staff members
  • Providing teams with intervention strategies with individual students
  • Conducting individual interviews with students who report not having a caring adult at school to address their concerns
  • Meeting with parents to better understand their needs in regards to working with the school
  • Actively creating ways to get reluctant parents to become involved in their child’s academic career
/ There is strong evidence to suggest students who (whose)…
  • report having no caring adult at school with whom they have connected
  • are not engaged in co-curricular or extra-curricular activities
  • parents are not actively engaged in the learning environment
  • teachers are not connect to the learning community
do not achieve at high levels of academic success. This goal is intended to provide students with a learning environment that produces high levels of academic success school-wide, by addressing the connections that students, parents and teachers feel to the climate and culture of McKinleyMiddle School. / The specific students, teachers and parents identified in each area of concern will be monitored to determine the degree of responsiveness to the interventions / None / October 2006- April 2007
Professional Development:
Description of Proposed Action/Activity (What is going to be done to address this goal?) / Research/Rationale For Activity (Explain how best practices and research justify this activity) / Results
(What will be the evidence of completion of the activity?) /

Resources

(Funding Source & Cost) /

Timeline

(When will the activity occur?)
Activity #4of 4:
The Zoomerang survey will be re-conducted with all students in grades 6-8, parents of students in grades 6-8 and all teachers/staff members and results will be compared with those from the October survey. / It is expected that the numbers obtained from the October survey will increase as a result of the interventions used with the identified students, teachers and parents. / PDSA storyboards/displays showing the change will be posted in the building / Cost of story boards ($50.00) / April 2007
Professional Development:

McKinleyMiddle School - SIP Target Detail (Math)

SIP Goal # 3 of 4

1.) State the goal. (use SMART format- Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Results-oriented, Target date).

During the 2006-2007 school year all McKinley students participating in the general education curriculum will take a cumulative pre and post-test over district curriculum and reach 75% proficiency by the end of the school year.

2.) Describe data sources consulted and a summary analysis of the data that indicate the need for the goal.

Teachers will teach the district provided curriculum and give district math assessments for each unit, along with an accumulative pre and post-test. The data from these tests will be compiled in an excel spreadsheet and submitted to the district to be analyzed. To align with Cedar RapidsCommunitySchool District’s math scoring rubric, this data will also be analyzed by the grade level teams to ensure 75% proficiency is being reached.

3.)

Identify the correlation of the stated school improvement goal to the strategic plan.

Check all that apply:

District Goals

Improve all student performance in communication, mathematics and science.

Enhance student social, emotional, and behavioral development.

Develop a diverse workforce that utilizes exemplary professional practices.

Operate with fiscal integrity, efficiency, and effectiveness.

Increase family and community support for student learning and citizenship development.

4.) Summarize how this goal will be measured. What will be the evidence of goal attainment?

This goal will be measured by the attainment from the 2006-2007 District Math Assessments used to measure the level of achievement of McKinley students on those tests. Our goal of increasing student math knowledge will be attained if more students score above the proficiency level (75th percentile) on the post-test than did those on the pre-test.

Action Plan

SIP Goal # 3:
During the 2006-2007 school year all McKinley students participating in the general education curriculum will take a cumulative pre and post-test over district curriculum and reach 75% proficiency by the end of the school year.
Description of Proposed Action/Activity (What is going to be done to address this goal?) / Research/Rationale For Activity (Explain how best practices and research justify this activity) / Results
(What will be the evidence of completion of the activity?) /

Resources

(Funding Source & Cost) /

Timeline

(When will the activity occur?)
Activity #1 of 2:
All teachers will utilize a math core skills curriculum one day out of the week, for the 2006-2007 school year and students will take a pre and a post test for every five skills learned. / All teachers will use an Excel spreadsheet to measure student growth on math skills growth. / The spreadsheet will show proficiency rates for each student based on the testing data. Proficiency for students will be based on 75% correct on post test.
Students will use student data folders to chart their individual progress on a weekly basis. / Funding for developing pre-tests, copies of tests.
Curriculum and production provided by the district.
Student data folder costs. ($50) / The activity will take place during the 2006-2007 school year.
Professional Development:
Activity #2 of 2:
The Math Action Research Team will apply the Plan, Do, Study, Act (PDSA) cycle to their curricular area. Root cause will be identified and an improvement theory based on research and best practices will be implemented. / CRCSD has set and communicated direction for quality through the 4 Quality Levels of Continuous Improvement.
Action Research includes collaboration, focus on student achievement, and a shared goal for Continuous Improvement. Through the process of data collection and analysis of root cause, a research based improvement theory will be implemented. / PDSA storyboards or displays will be posted in the building. Students will use data folders to show pre-test and post-test results from Math Core Skills Assessments. / Storyboard costs. ($50)
Student data folder costs. ($50) / The activity will take place during the 2006-07 school year.
Professional Development:
District and building in-service training on continuous classroom Improvement

McKinleyMiddle School - SIP Target Detail (Science)

SIP Goal # 4 of 4

1.) State the goal. (use SMART format- Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Results-oriented, Target date).

During the 2006-2007 school year, all students will improve their ability to interpret data as measured by an increase in the Percent Proficient results on individual grade level District Science Assessments. (See table)

Grade / Test / Standard / 2004-2005 Percent Proficient / 2006-2007 Percent Proficient
Grade 6 / Living Things / C / 95% / Target 95%
Grade 6 / Microorganisms / C / 79% / Target 85%
Grade 6 / Cells / C / 82% / Target 85%
Grade 6 / Human Body / C / 88% / Target 90%
Grade 7 / Rocks / B / 83% / Target 85%
Grade 7 / Rocks / D / 78% / Target 80%
Grade 7 / Astronomy / B / 81% / Target 85%
Grade 7 / Astronomy / D / 90% / Target 95%
Grade 8 / Particles / E / 82% / Target 85%
Grade 8 / Particles / F / 64% / Target 70%
Grade 8 / Machines / E / 79% / Target 85%
Grade 8 / Machines / F / 97% / Target 97%
Grade 8 / Weather / E / 75% / Target 80%
Grade 8 / Weather / F / 81% / Target 85%

2.) Describe data sources consulted and a summary analysis of the data that indicate the need for the goal.