Often in today's education world you hear the term "data-driven decision making" used. For years, businesses have used data as a way to raise productivity and efficiency, effective schools have started to do the same. Two important elements to our success include using ONLY research based curriculum and using data to TRULY drive instruction. STRIDE uses four tools to measure our academic success:
1. Locally developed assessments for kindergarten and first grade based on the MN Academic Standards. These assessments help staff focus instruction at the individual and grade level. The data also shows the growth and grade proficiency for each child.
2. Saxon Math and Reading Mastery assessments that measure the fluency, numeracy and comprehension in the areas of reading and math. These assessments help staff place students in the correct reading or math level.
3. NWEA MAPS is a nationally normed test that assess growth and grade level proficiency for students in 2nd-6th grade. The test helps staff focus instruction and sets TARGET GROWTH RIT for each child.
4. MCA-II (MN State test) for grades 3rd-6th in reading and math, science for 5th grade. The MCA-II data holds us accountable for the NCLB (NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND) standards. They are also used as a comparison to like or surrounding districts.
Within the next two weeks, you will find in-depth data for our academic performance for the 2008-2009 school year. The data illustrates that STRIDE raised math and reading scores on the MCA-II tests over 6% points this year as compared to 2007-2008. Our math scores on these tests our the second highest amongst the most common schools from where are students come from. We are fifth in reading. We place in the top 10%ile in the state for schools with a F/R population over 40%. F/R population is a socioeconomic indicator. On the NWEA MAPS, all grades exceeded the national norm in reading and math and we also exceeded the target growth by at least 25%. No grade finished with lower than a 77% success rate of meeting their goals.
The real use of this data is to celebrate our short term success and now find areas of improvement for next year. Our instructional leadership team will sit down and identify areas for growth next year. The areas of growth will be communicated as goals and staff members will work hard to meet these goals and earn merit pay on meeting or exceeding these goals.
For more in depth information on our academic performance, please attend the July 21st board meeting. A presentation will be given.
Upcoming Events
July 21st- Board Meeting
July 31st- STRIDE Golf Tournament
August 3rd- Teacher Staff Development
August 4th- Regional whole Brain Conference at STRIDE
August 6th- Open house, 3:30pm-7:30pm
August 11th- First Day of School
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