Cape School Board to discuss year's goals for each school

All schools want to increase student achievement. How they measure achievement and methods to get there differ slightly.

On Monday, the Cape Girardeau School Board will consider approving a professional development plan that outlines goals for each school for the year.

Across the board, the plans call for students to make adequate yearly progress under No Child Left Behind. Some schools have set specific targets for district reading, writing and math assessments. They all call for collaboration among staff members, increasing technology in classrooms and studying data to guide instruction. Parental involvement is another major focus.

The 121-page document is available on the district's website and includes professional development plans from last school year. Here's a breakdown of this year's goals, featuring new or interesting methods. It is not meant to include every goal or strategy from each school.

* Alma Schrader: Teachers will be expected to improve and update their Web pages and use SMART Board technology (interactive white boards) in at least one lesson a quarter; two presenters will discuss technology in the classroom.

* Blanchard: Teachers will use technology "clickers" to get instant results polling students; 90 percent of parents will attend three or more school events; staff will discuss a Bill Cosby video on poverty and family dynamics, teachers will observe another teacher four times; teachers will attend after-school technology sessions three times a year.

* Clippard: 75 percent of students will attend family activities at school; families will participate in a whole-school book study; teachers will receive training on SMART Boards, brain research, E-portfolios and disaster simulation practice, conduct home visits during the summer and attend an in-service on English Language Learners.

* Franklin: Staff will complete a book study on writing traits; teachers will create a positive school climate to reduce the number of repeat discipline referrals by 5 percent; staff will write and monitor their success with three to five professional goals; teachers will increase collaboration.

* Jefferson: "Thinking About Our Thinking" sessions will be held before school once a week, where teachers will voluntarily meet to discuss strategies and how to help those struggling; staff will study the book "Beyond Monet;" after-school tutoring will focus on engagement; enrichment tutoring will be offered; a MAP family night will be held; the number of students that receive three discipline referrals in a quarter will be reduced by 50 percent.

* Central Middle: "Master lessons" will be created on SMART Boards and shared among teachers; volunteer teachers will be videotaped during lessons and critiqued by peers; staff will complete a book study on "Reviving Ophelia: Saving the Selves of Adolescent Girls"; teachers will gather information and resources for parents with children with special needs.

* Central Junior High: Staff will study and implement strategies from "Classroom Instruction that Works" and "Classroom Management that Works;" teachers will be trained in emergency drills and identifying the signs of substance abuse; a national literacy consultant will visit monthly.

* Central High: A restructuring plan that includes Preparing for Academic Success classes will be implemented; use MAP, AP and ACT test data to revise curriculum.

* Career and Technology Center: Instructors will attend three workshops on customer relations and entrepreneurship; Project Lead the Way, pre-engineering courses, will be implemented; 50 percent more students will participate in an internship.

* Alternative Education Center: Increase attendance to an average 90 percent; decrease discipline referrals by 50 percent; implement a "social skills/study skills/ anger management" class; implement consistent procedures in the classroom.

lbavolek@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 123

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