School Improvement Goals - 2008/2009

Goal #1 – Writing in all Content Areas:

• All students will show progress in their writing proficiency in class, on ELA Benchmark Assessments, and on the MEAP.
• All teachers will be trained on how to use EET and how to use the EET Writing tool in their specific content area classrooms.
• Students will learn and use the “Expanding Expressions Tool (EET),” by Sara Smith, to increase their description, details, examples, and organization in their writing.

Goal #2 – Reading in all Content Areas

• Teachers will be trained on 10 to 20 reading comprehension strategies that can be used in their particular content area to improve student reading comprehension.
• Teachers will use a variety of reading comprehension strategies in their content area.
• Students will learn and use a variety of reading comprehension strategies to improve reading comprehension.

Goal #3 – Inclusion Model in all Content Areas

• All teachers will receive Professional Development on working with the inclusion model and working with special needs students.
• All teachers will be trained in methods designed to improve overall student achievement using the inclusion model in all content areas.
• All students at Western Middle School will show improvement in content areas and be provided solid and meaningful instruction within the inclusion model to improve student achievement.

District Initiative for “Students Achieving More”

• Teachers will assist in ELA/Math Intervention and Enrichment Opportunities:
  • Math Intervention in SAM
  • ELA Intervention in SAM
  • Enrichment opportunities in SAM

Continued Staff Goals:

• Teachers will continued to post student learning objectives every day in clear view of students. Students should understand “what” they are supposed to be learning and “why” it is important for them (relevance).
• Teachers will continue to have professional development opportunities for all content areas.
  • Training, Collaboration, and Data Analysis
  • ½ Day PD by Content Area including Band and Explores (at least 2x per semester)
  • Full Day PD for all Staff on District PD Days
• Teachers will continue to use The Responsible Thinking Process to handle classroom disruptions and maximize classroom instruction. Teachers will receive updated RTC books, posters, and training at the beginning of the 2008-2009 school year.
• Staff will create a “GO TEAM” to welcome and mentor all new members to Western Middle School.