INSTRUCTIONAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN

2003-04

 

GRADES K-3 GRADES 4-5 GRADES 6-8

 

GRADES K-3

 

Needs Assessment Data

·         Reading scores on the Terra Nova test have been below Archdiocese for the past 2 years

 

Priority Need

·         To meet Archdiocese reading scores

 

Causes/Contributing Factors

·         Turnover rate of first grade teachers

·         Inconsistent use of reading textbooks

·         AR Program will unify K-3 reading program

 

Goal

·         To raise reading scores 5 points over the next 3 years

 

Measurable Objectives

·         Total reading scores on the Terra Nova test

 

Strategy/Activity/Expected Impact

 

Track Terra Nova reading scores for the next 3 years.  We expect to see yearly improvement with a 5-point increase within 3 years.

 

·         Implement the AR program in K-3 using individual placement from diagnostic test, reading logs, incentives and continued AR testing

 

Strategy/Activity/Expected Impact

 

Students, teachers and parents will have more control of student reading and will be able to ensure appropriate grade level reading is maintained and adjusted when necessary for each student.  This will help ensure maximum student understanding that will lead to better readers with greater comprehension

 

·         Familiarize students with skills necessary for taking standardized test

Strategy/Activity/Expected Impact

 

Use the text “Increase Your Testing Power for Standardized Tests”.  As students progress through activities and practice test improvements should be observed.  Individualized instruction will be provided in deficient areas insuring mastery of the skill.

 

 

GRADES 4-5

 

Needs Assessment Data

·         Reading scores on the Terra Nova were below Archdiocese last year (2003).  Last year they exceeded Archdiocese scores. 

 

Causes/Contributing Factors

·         Reading comprehension scores low in primary grades

·         AR was not in use for all students until this year

 

Goal

·         To raise reading scores by 5 points over the next 3 years

 

Measurable Objectives

·         To identify reading strategies such as comprehension, context and decoding

 

                        Strategy/Activity/Expected Outcome

 

Improve comprehension by focusing on the following strategies in classroom instruction: predicting, summarizing, cause and effect, sequencing and drawing conclusions.

 

Improve decoding by focusing on the following strategies in classroom instruction: word identification, structural analysis, roots, and affixes.

 

Improve context by focusing on the following strategies and activities in classroom instruction: homophones, antonyms, and synonyms.

 

Improving student comprehension, context and decoding, along with implementing the AR program in the fourth and fifth grade, will improve Terra Nova scores.         

 

 

GRADES 6-8

 

LANGUAGE ARTS

 

Needs Assessment

·         Language scores have been below Archdiocese for the past 2 years

 

Causes/Contributing Factors

·         Reading textbooks and diagnoses were inconsistent across all grade levels

·         AR program will provide consistency

 

Goal

·         To raise language scores by 5 points over the next 3 years

 

Measurable Objectives

·         Implement AR program’s placement, diagnostics, logs and testing

·         Emphasize skills needed for successful test taking

·         Improve students reading skills and writing mechanics

 

                        Strategy/Activity/Expected Outcome

 

Increase focus of classroom instruction in areas of reading skills and writing mechanics and use of weekly reader magazine to help improve reading skills and writing mechanics.  Students should show overall improvement in the mechanics of both reading and writing.  

 

Emphasize use of graded mechanics worksheets provided for literature tests and English textbook.  This will allow for better understanding of language skills that will help improve overall language scores on the Terra Nova test.

 

Integrated Curriculum

 

            Science

·         A work book integrating language skills and science will be implemented

·         Written assignments will require use of complete and correct sentences, including structure, punctuation and grammar.

 

Math

·         Emphasis will be placed on word problems