A letter from Ms. Caruthers

The DC CAS scores are on the OSSE website and I wanted to take the time to share the overall scores.  In short we did not make AYP, but there are growth areas to celebrate!

Reading 49.11% (49.60 in 2010) and Math 40.18% (44.35% in 2010).

Please take the time to review the data online as well. http://www.nclb.osse.dc.gov/index.asp.

I have highlighted a few areas of success and I look forward to discussing our areas of focus for this school year during Back to School Night and when teachers return in a few weeks. Parents with students in 3rd-8th grade will receive DC CAS reports via US mail toward the middle of the month.

Highlights:

Math: Grades 5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th showed improvement! (No growth comparable data for 3rd grade).

o 5th: 3%

o 6th: 4%

o 7th: 36%

o 8th: 3%

Reading: Grades 5th, 7th, and 8th showed improvement! (No growth comparable data for 3rd grade).

o 5th: 17%

o 7th: 28%

o 8th: 4%

Subgroups also improved:

o Reading: Black, Male, Econ. Disadvantage

I have crunched the numbers in many ways and there are a lot of takeaways. I am looking forward to our continued collaboration as a school community as we focus on the data (including GOLD for early childhood and DIBELS for K-5), as well as making instructional adjustments. The LSAT (Local School Advisory Team) will meet in September and there will be multiple opportunities to give input as we update our comprehensive school plan.

Additionally, please note the areas of focus below, as we work collectively as a school (and district) to improve student achievement in the upcoming school year.

Instructional items to note:

o The Common Core Standards will be adopted in K-2 (math), K-8 (literacy), K-8 (social studies and science literacy standards.

o Paced Interim Assessments (including 2nd grade this year)!!!

o West will work with the Achievement Network (ANET) to support our work with data analysis in Reading and Math. We will also work with an ANET data coach.

o Our Academic Leadership Team/Data Team (inclusive of Mrs. Spraggins, Ms. Mack, Ms. Krupp, and Ms. Krupp) will support teachers on a daily basis with planning and instruction. We are in training right now! YEAH!

o Unit Overviews will support the scope and sequence documents from DCPS.

o Teachers will receive one to one support through "learning cycles" (Instructional coaches lead)

o Literacy Interventions/support (K-8): Fundations and Just Words

o Focused 120 minute Literacy Block for all students!