Aaron, Katherine C, Lindsey Rae, Sumter, Victoria

Disaggregated Data Analysis

Charts & Data







o Any observations about strategies, professional development, reading/math
programs, or resources used to teach those areas. (You should be informed about
Trace Crossings.) Trace Crossings utilizes Math Investigations, which promotes
hands-on math learning and engages students in math activities to further
concepts. Trace teachers participate in professional development often through
events such as Ed Camp and professional developments at staff meetings led by
school faculty and other speakers who are brought in. W.J. Christian utilizes a
mentoring program for new teachers in which veteran teachers are partnered with
new teachers to provide support and advice. They also participate in professional
learning communities several times a week to better their teaching skills and
strategies.
o Determine each schools strengths and weaknesses based on the data and record on
the chart.
Trace Crossings- From 2009-2010, 4th grade at Trace Crossings overall struggled
in math though the white population was above benchmark. From 2010-2011, 4th
grade at Trace Crossings overall struggled in math. They were below benchmark.
Though 2009-2011, the school improved in math even though they are still
considered below benchmark. In 2009-2010 reading was below benchmark. 2010-
2011 was a good year for fourth grade reading. Reading improved at Trace
Crossings from 2009-2011 because now they are above benchmark.
W.J. Christian- From 2009-2010, W.J. Christian did well in math. From 2010-2011,
W. J. Christian was above benchmark in math. They also improved greatly. In 4th
grade reading, from 2009-2010, reading was overall great and above benchmark.
From 2010-2011, 4th grade was above benchmark. Based on this data, Trace
Crossings is weak in math and getting better in reading. W. J. Christian has room
for improvement; however, they are pretty strong and above benchmark in both
math and reading.
o Discuss any initiatives, school improvement plans, etc. used to increase student
achievement. Trace Crossings is in school improvement for math and reading.
Part of the math improvement plan includes Samford students providing morning
intervention Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday mornings. Trace Crossings also
hosts math and reading programs, such as math night, in order to allow parents
to gain a better understanding of what their children are doing at school and how
they can help their students at home.
o Discuss ways the school is trying to inform parents/ involve parents in student
achievement related to the data At WJC the administration makes school-wide data
very accessible to parents, it is posted at the front of the school and parents are
encouraged to conference with their childs teacher where they can look at data
that is specific to their childs class.
o Discuss accountability resources used by the school used to track student
progress. (These could include school wide programs for data collection such as Global
Scholar, etc.) Both Trace Crossings and WJ Christian utilize Global Scholars
testing in order to monitor math and reading progress. They also utilize data from
teachers individualized tests in order to progress monitor.
o Discuss the role support personnel to increase student achievement. This could
include but not limited to reading/math coach. Trace Crossings has reading and math
coaches and a Title I teacher, that are funded with Title I money. They also have
an English Langauge Learners instructor and special education teachers. W. J.
Christian had a Read180 teacher, a reading coach, and a special education
teacher.
o How do the teachers work together to share data? Do they have regular data
meetings? At Trace Crossings the teachers share data through meetings with the
other teachers in their grade level. At WJC the teachers had their class data
posted on their walls in the classroom, the grade level data was posted in each
hallway, and the school-wide data was posted at the front entrance by the offices.
We also thought it was interesting how teachers of upper grades utilized data
with their students. For example, a couple of us observed teachers talking to their
classes about data from Global Scholar testing. One teacher in particular talked
to her class for an extensive amount of time about how they could work to
improve upon the scores they received on the previous test.
Aaron, Katherine C, Lindsey Rae, Sumter, and Victoria
Trace Crossings Elementary Conclusions, School Improvement Plan, and Strategies
Conclusions: Based on fourth grade data from 2010 and 2011, Trace Crossings is
improving their data; however, there is definitely room for improvement. The fourth
grade has been below benchmark in math for the past two years. There has been an
improvement in the reading test scores, but there continues to be room for growth and
development (PARCA 2011).
Based on the data, we have concluded that Trace Crossings needs a school
improvement plan that includes a lot of ideas and protocols for improving math
understanding and test scores and a plan to continue reading growth and increasing
test scores.
School Improvement Plan & Strategies: In an effort to improve student achievement
in math, reading, and other subject areas, Trace Crossings will enact the following
school improvement plan. In regards to math, teachers will complete at least six hours
of professional development in math taught by the math coach. Teachers will learn how
to better teach math concepts instead of simply focusing on algorithms and procedures.
Teachers will engage classes in number talks in order to have students focus on one
math problem for an extended period of time, brainstorm different ways to solve
problems, and express their ideas regarding math problems instead of simply providing
an answer. Students will also be involved in more hands on math activities that require
students to represent math problems and express their processes. There will also be a
big push to incorporate math throughout the school day, not just during math time. High
traffic areas of the school will be filled with different math problems, brain teasers, etc in
order to allow students to engage in math activities even while standing in the hall.
In order to continue improving reading achievement and test scores, teachers will
follow many of the same concepts as in math. They will receive professional
development from the reading coach, utilize reading and literacy strategies in all subject
areas, and engage students in reading multiple times a day. Classrooms will also
compete with each other to read the most books. Throughout the day, students will be
engaged with reading throughout the entire school through activities similar to the math
activities.
School-wide initiatives will include everyone in the building, students families, and the
community. Throughout the school year, teachers and administration will host math
nights in order to inform parents of what their students are learning and teach them the
techniques being used to maximize student achievement. Trace Crossings Reads
events will allow parents to meet with teachers and administration in order to build their
own reading skills if necessary and learn ways to help enforce literacy and a passion for
reading in their homes. Due to our large English Language Learners population, Trace
Crossings will seek to provide greater access to educational tools and translators for
parents to communicate with teachers and administrators. Teachers will also write
individualized plans for ELL learners in order to ensure that they are being given the
best opportunity for success. There will be a huge push to get parents more involved in
education. According to Parental Involvement in Childhood Education, the most
effective schools are now widely considered to be ones that encourage and support the
involvement of parents and other family members in the education of their children
(Hornby 2011). Trace Crossings recognizes the importance of parents in education and
desires to make every effort to partner with parents and members of the community to
provide students with the greatest opportunity for success. By using these strategies
and school improvement plan, we believe that Trace Crossings will see a greater
improvement in student achievement and test scores.
W. J. Christian Conclusions, School Improvement Plan, and Strategies
Based on data from the PARCA website, W. J. Christian School has shown significant
growth in all areas of fourth grade reading and mathematics test scores from the 2009-
2010 to 2010-2011 school years. WJC addresses many extraneous areas that have
been known to have a considerable impact on student achievement in elementary
schools. Some of these areas include parental involvement, attendance, teacher
effectiveness and discipline. At WJC students no longer receive ELL services due to the
lack of need in the school, which is based on WIDA in 2011. Teachers have continued
to provide support to ELL students within the general education classroom, with specific
emphasis on reading and writing. While the 2010-2011 Attendance Report showed that
attendance for grades K-8 was in the 90
th
percentile, however the school stated that
improvements were needed in the areas of unexcused absences and tardies.
Attendance is an area that greatly impacts students achievement for the simple fact that
if students are not present at school, they will not learn. Another area that WJC stated
needing improvement was student discipline. It was reported that while school
demographics showed a slight decrease in office referrals the 2010-2011 Discipline
Report called for a more proactive approach to student discipline, with specific relations
to in-school detention and suspension. The final area in need of significant improvement
was that of parental involvement. Surveys of the parent population showed that they
appreciated the high-quality education their children were receiving as well as the high
expectations that are held by the teachers. However, they expressed desire for
improvement in regards to technology, effective communication, and teacher
professionalism.
One of the areas that appear to have a significantly positive impact on student
achievement is teacher effectiveness. WJC stated that teacher attendance is not a
problem, and while teacher turn over is high, that is due to the mandated reductions put
in place by the school system. Low teacher morale is a nonissue at WJC and the
teachers participate in various forms of professional development. Some examples of
this professional development include: professional learning communities, teacher
mentoring for new teachers, and weekly meetings to discuss lesson plans and student
progress. Along with support staff such as the Read180 instructor, the effectiveness of
the teachers at WJC have an overwhelmingly positive impact on the students and their
achievement.
The proposed School Improvement Plan takes into account the need for a more
proactive approach to discipline and the need for a stronger emphasis on math and
reading (particularly with ELL students), the focus is on increasing parental involvement
throughout the grade levels. According to a Meta-Analysis on the Efficacy of Different
Types of Parental Involvement Programs for Urban Students, results indicate a
significant relationship between parental involvement programs overall and academic
achievement (Jeynes, 2012). Therefore it is suggested that seminars be offered to help
parents with concepts and strategies that their children are learning in class to better
enable them to assist their children at home and thus impacting students achievement.
There could also be a parent table and a parent box created and placed at the entrance
to the school where the parents can get important information and anonymously voice
their concerns and/or questions. It is important that parents and educators alike
recognize the importance of the partnership of parents and teachers in a childs
education.

Dear Trace Crossings Parent,
This letter is to update and inform you on recent data and ways that our school
plans on making improvements in order to help each and every student succeed. Based
on fourth grade data from 2010 and 2011, our data has improved, but of course there is
always room for improvement. For the past two years, fourth grade has made below
benchmark in math, so we are trying to really improve in that area. Reading, although
better than it used to be, needs to continue to improve. Traces weaknesses are in
reading, and especially math, so we want to inform you of our improvement plan for
these subject areas.
Trace Crossings has formed a plan of improvement in math and reading, two
subjects that are extremely important for students to score well in. For math, teachers
will complete six hours of professional development taught by the math coach. This will
help to train teachers to better teach math concepts instead of focusing only on
procedures and algorithms. There will be a big emphasis on number talks,
brainstorming different ways to solve problems, and expressing ideas regarding math
problems instead of giving one simple answer. We want students to think deeper about
math so that they truly understand it. Math will also be incorporated throughout the day,
with more hands-on activities where the students can use objects to help solve and
represent problems. Even the hallways will have math problems and fun brain teasers
for students to see as they walk around the school.
For reading, teachers will also complete professional development from the
reading coach. Reading and literacy strategies will be used in all subject areas
throughout the whole day. Classrooms will also compete with each other to read the
most books, which will be a fun way to incorporate reading.
Trace Crossings recognizes that you, as parents, are very important to your
childs education. We want you to be as involved as possible and feel as connected as
possible. To keep you informed and involved, Trace will be offering a variety of
opportunities for you. School wide initiatives will not only include everyone in the school,
but also families and the community. Math nights will be hosted by teachers and
administrators to inform parents of what students are learning and teaching strategies.
We want you to be equipped to help your student at home and know what they are
learning. Trace Crossings reads events allow parents to meet teachers and
administrators in order to build on your own reading skills and learn ways to help
enforce literacy and passion. Also, Trace has a large ELL population, so we will be
catering to you all as well. Trace will seek to provide greater access to education tools
and translators for parents to communicate with teachers and administration.
Thank you so much for your support and we hope to see you get involved as
much as possible. Please let us know if you have any questions at all.
Sincerely,
Katherine Clemens, Lindsey Rae Atkins, Aaron Conner, Victoria
Bye, and Sumter Barbour

Dear W. J. Christian Parent,
This letter is to update and inform you on recent data and ways that our school
plans on making improvements in order to help each and every students succeed.
Based on fourth grade data from 2009 to 2011, W. J. Christian has shown significant
growth in reading and mathematics. Both of these areas, however, still need
improvement.
W.J. Christian has formed a plan of improvement and it takes into account the
need for a more productive approach to discipline and the need for a stronger emphasis
on math and reading, especially with the ELL students. Another part of the
improvements is to focus on increasing parental involvement throughout the grade
levels. For grades K-8 WJC was in the 90
th
percentile for attendence, however the
school stated that improvements were needed in the areas of unexcused absences and
tardies. Attendance is an area that greatly impacts students achievement for the simple
fact that if students are not present at school, they will not learn. Another area that WJC
stated needing improvement was student discipline. It was reported that while school
demographics showed a slight decrease in office referrals, the 2010-2011 Discipline
Report called for a more proactive approach to student discipline, with specific relations
to in-school detention and suspension.
WJC recognizes that you, as parents, are very important to your childs
education. WJC offers seminars to help parents with concepts and strategies that their
children are learning in class to better enable them to assist their children at home and
thus impacting students achievement. There could also be a parent table and a parent
box created and placed at the entrance to the school where the parents can get
important information and anonymously voice their concerns and/or questions. We want
you to become involved as much as possible.
Thank you so much for your support and we hope to see you get involved as
much as possible. Please let us know if you have any questions.
Sincerely,
Katherine Clemens, Lindsey Rae Atkins, Aaron Conner, Victoria Bye, and
Sumter Barbour.













References
Hornby, G. (2011). Parental involvement in childhood education [electronic resource] :
building effective school-family partnerships / Garry Hornby. New York : Springer,
c2011.