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In
late October, the
National
Center
for Education Statistics released its study of how 4th and
8th graders are doing nationally. The results look at
statewide, not district, statistics. The results reinforce the urgency
of focusing in on how we can truly achieve the vision behind our
strategic plan, “Success for Every Student by Name.”
The National
Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) results in math and reading
revealed that
California’s
achievement gap is the third largest in the country. The good news is
that earlier this year, state test results for the California
Standards Test (CST) revealed improvement at every grade level. In
Sac
City,
our results also demonstrated growth at every grade level. Especially
heartening, is that student populations who lagged behind their peers,
also showed improvement. Latino, African American and Hmong CST
results showed a five to six percent increase in both English Language
Arts and mathematics. Our socioeconomically disadvantaged student
performance also improved. They showed a 4.9 increase in English
Language Arts and a 6.4 percent increase in math.
These are
significant results. Yet, despite that growth among our targeted
populations, the gap did not narrow. Closing the achievement goal is a
top priority for our schools and central office staffs as we help each
child to excel.
The first policy
priority listed in the strategic plan is, “Equity, access, and
achievement for every student by name.” To achieve this important
priority, our Learning Support Unit (LSU) associates will meet with
principals to ensure that all students who are not proficient in the
standards have plans for helping those pupils achieve proficiency of
state standards. We are using new tools to bring important and
relevant data to teachers and administrators on a timely basis to
better inform instruction and interventions.
We are also working
to ensure that all schools meet or exceed the student improvement
targets as defined by state or federal accountability guidelines for
our four lowest performing student populations: African American,
Latino, Hmong and Mien students.
Yet, we realize
this critical goal cannot be met without the help of our parents and
community. One important task in ensuring that all students succeed is
creating a “Closing the Achievement Gap” commission of district and
community leaders to assess the challenges relating to the achievement
of our targeted populations. Our LSU associate superintendents will
meet with the commission throughout the school year to measure
progress and receive updates on how recommendations and strategies are
being implemented across the district.
This is critical
work at both the site and district level. Our number one goal is
Success for Every Student by Name. Our teachers, staff and
administrators continue to build on the improvement and
accomplishments of last year so that each of our students by name is
successful.
Editor’s
Note: For more information about the Strategic Plan, visit the
district web site at
www.scusd.edu or contact your local school office. |
