Board approves learning improvement plan

Last school year, the Stanwood Camano School District failed to meet Adequately Yearly Progress (AYP) standards set by the state.

Signed into federal law as part of the No Child Left Behind Act in 2002, the AYP measures student achievement in reading and mathematics based on annual state testing.

Results are shown for the overall student body and specific student population groups for both subjects. Proficiency goals are determined for each category, referred to as cells.

The district failed to meet the goals in 11 of 55 cells.

As such, the district was required to create an updated improvement plan.

The resulting three-year learning improvement plan, to be instituted next school year, was approved by the board of directors last month.

The development of the plan was facilitated by Jerry Jenkins, ESD 189 superintendent, and Sandy Austin, Center for Education Leadership coach.

Overarching and specific goals were developed by a district leadership team comprised of principals and administrators.

A sub-committee was formed to draft the language of the plan throughout the current school year. Drafts of the plan were presented to the leadership team, the Title 1 parent advisory committee and the district’s key communicator group for feedback and input.

According to the plan, the activities and goals are in alignment with the district’s overall strategic plan.

Special education in math and reading at the elementary and middle school grades, as well as low income and Hispanic populations at the middle school level in math, were targeted.

Other cells where the district did not meet AYP goals included the entire high school student body in math and the low income group at the high school level in reading.

The plan states: “It is clear from the data that the district needs to continue to facilitate support of the core instruction in the classroom with special attention to the subgroups not meeting AYP.”

Certain steps have already been taken.

During the current school year, “a core K-8 mathematics program has been implemented and specific intervention materials for special education have been identified and purchased to support the plan,” according to the report.

The plan highlights measurable achievement goals, scientifically-based research on strategies to strengthen instruction, professional development for instructional staff and a “strong component to develop effective parental involvement.”

Five years ago, the district developed the Quality for All (QFA) District Improvement Plan.

“Upon review and reflection, the focus of the plan was too broad,” the report stated. A lack of centralized effort by the district resulted in schools acting as “silos of activity.”

Individual school improvement plans were not properly aligned across the district.

The new learning improvement plan attempts to bridge the gaps and improve student achievement specifically addressing subgroups noted in the AYP.

In addition to approving the plan, the board approved the adoption of new math materials for precalculus and special education.

The materials were recommended by the executive curriculum committee.

Director Patrick Patterson praised the efforts of the leadership team and curriculum committee.

“The math adoption and learning improvement plan is great stuff for the district,” he said. “I especially applaud the sense of alignment in the math program and the support it gives to special education.”

Other school board news:

• Stanwood Elementary PTA donated $400 to the school in support of the crossing guard program.

• Stanwood High School (SHS) students Teague Nelson and Rebecca Raible received the 2010 Washington Scholars Award from the Washington Higher Education Coordinating Board.

• DeAnn Larson, Elger Bay Elementary reading specialist, was recognized as teacher of the year for the district.

Students, teachers and support staff nominated Larson for the award and praised her dedication, not only for her reading program, but also for her willingness to support every facet of the school.

While accepting the award, Larson said she is merely part of a successful, hard-working team at Elger Bay.

“This honor is for the entire staff,” she said.

• Ann Peterson, Diane Rice, Sonia Kline and Heidi Harter, paraeducators with the Learning Assistance Program at Utsalady Elementary, were presented with the classified employees of the year award.

The group of educators, nominated by Julie Knight, were described as “good role models” for the students willing to help in any situation.

• Student advisors, Ashley Glenn of Lincoln Hill High School and David Thomas of SHS, led the board of directors meeting in honor of their service throughout the year.

Director Ken Christoferson said the district has benefitted from their involvement on the board.

“We hear insights we wouldn’t get any other way,” he said.

Thomas said he was proud to serve and the opportunity was “an absolute pleasure.”

Glenn said the program was challenging, yet rewarding and thanked the board for their encouragement.

• Linda Littlefield, executive director of human resources, honored district employees retiring this school year.

Melody Buck is leaving after 40 years in the district as a kindergarten teacher at Stanwood Elementary and Cedarhome Elementary.

First-grade teacher Toni Schlosser is finishing up her 38-year career at Twin City Elementary. She started in the district teaching special education at Stanwood Elementary.

Bill Walker will retire at the end of the year from Stanwood Middle School. He spent his entire 34-year career teaching art at the middle school.

John Ridge is retiring from a 25-year career in education after serving 10 years in the district with Lincoln Hill Academy.

School psychologist Melva Walser will end her career after serving 10 years in the district helping students at Utsalady.

After 31 years keeping students safe to and from school, bus driver Rachel Hentila is retiring from the transportation department.

Fellow driver, Mary Conners, is also leaving after 28 years behind the wheel.

Maintenance worker Dan Wickman was honored for his 20 years of service. He retired from the district in December.

Lynne Gore is retiring from her custodial position at Port Susan Middle School. She started working for the district in 1996 at Stanwood Elementary.

Joan Christensen is finishing up her nursing duties at both middle schools in the district. She has been a registered nurse since 1975 and has worked for the district for two years.