Saturday, February 25, 2012

DRAFT Education Yes report

Good evening Mitchell SIT and Staff,

Attached is the DRAFT 2012 Education Yes! report for Mitchell School.
The report indicates much of what has happened and is happening at
Mitchell are elements of effective school structures. There are also
areas where improvement should occur. These are areas we will begin
to discuss and address as the School Improvement Plan is revised for
the 2012-13 school year.

I invite you to look over the DRAF of the report and give additional
input by Friday, March 3. After collecting any additional input, I
will make needed revisions and submit the report to the superintendent
for review. Of course, if you have questions, please don't hesitate
to ask.

Sincerely,
Kevin

Wednesday, February 8, 2012

Mitchell SIT Agenda - 2/16/2012

We'll take this time to generate input around Strand 4 of Education Yes!

Kevin plans to input the ideas generated into the Education Yes! website as we work.

Looking forward to seeing you.

Monday, February 6, 2012

Mitchell SIT Agenda 2/8/2012

Conference Room
7:30 AM


School improvement is not a mystery. Incremental, even dramatic improvement is not only possible but probable under the right conditions.

Mike Schmoker, Results



School Improvement Goals Recommendations (from the Mitchell Staff):

Given the current achievement at Mitchell School, the staff recommends a focus on reading and writing as the prioritized areas for improvement.

Reading
By the end of the 2011-12 academic year, the percentage of Mitchell students reading at instructional target reading levels will increase from 69% to 79% based on year-end reported reading levels.

K: By the end of the 2011-12 academic year, the percentage of kindergarten students reading at instructional target reading levels will be 80% based on year end reported reading levels.

1st: By the end of the 2011-12 academic year, the percentage of first grade students reading at instructional target reading levels will increase from 74% to 84% based on year end reported reading levels.

2nd: By the end of the 2011-12 academic year, the percentage of second grade students reading at instructional target reading levels will increase from 82% to 92% based on year end reported reading levels.

3rd: By the end of the 2011-12 academic year, the percentage of third grade students reading at instructional target reading levels will increase from 45% to 55% based on year end reported reading levels.

4th: By the end of the 2011-12 academic year, the percentage of fourth grade students reading at instructional target reading levels will increase from 62% to 72% based on year end reported reading levels.

5th: By the end of the 2011-12 academic year, the percentage of fifth grade students reading at instructional target reading levels will increase from 78% to 88% based on year end reported reading levels.

Writing
By the end of the 2011-12 academic year, the percentage of Mitchell students proficiently or advanced on the MEAP test will increase from 17% to 27% based on the MEAP test.

Education Yes!
- Demonstration
- Input, Strand 4
- Non-English speaking families

Think Stretch Summer Program

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Agenda 1/11/12

Introductions

The purpose of the Mitchell SIT team is to:
- Support the requirements of Education Yes!;
- Facilitate the improvement of Mitchell School through the analysis
of data;
- Implement strategies to support Education Yes! strand 4;
- Fulfill the requirements of Public Act 25 of 1990.

Click here for more information about Education Yes!
The Education Yes! Report is due at the beginning of March, 2012.

Mitchell Data
- What sticks out to you?
- Discussion

Next steps:
- Mitchell staff determines achievement goals
- SIT team could begin to think about ways to support Education Yes! strand 4.

Friday, December 2, 2011

Agenda 12/7/2011

Prior to coming: If you did not attend Curriculum Night, please review the State of the School presentation (attached to email Kevin sent).


SIT Team Agenda - Wednesday, December 7 @ 7:30 AM

Introductions

Purpose of SIT
- Support the requirements of Education Yes!;
- Facilitate the improvement of Mitchell School through the analysis of data;
- Implement strategies to support strand 4 (parent involvement/parent education) of Education Yes!;
- Fulfill the requirements of Public Act 25 of 1990

Review 2010-11 Schoolwide Plan



Goals:Literacy
Math
Science
Social Studies


Review Current Strategies


DATA REVIEW


Future Goals


Future Strategies
This is what we'll develop . . . for parent education. The SIT input and feedback helps to guide this.
It might behoove us to think about the intersection of the Schoolwide Plan and the MSTLC at this point as well.

Proposed meeting dates - all at 7:30 AM in the Mitchell Conference Room
12/7

1/11
2/8 - Ed Yes possibly due?
3/8
4/11
5/9 - Updated Schoolwide Plan possibly due
6/13


Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Schoolwide Plan for 2011-12 Approved

Attached is the final review of the Schoolwide Plan for Mary D. Mitchell, Ann Arbor.  The plan now meets all requirements of a Schoolwide Plan.  Be sure to refer to the comments in the review when you start to work on your SIP for the 2012-13 year.

Congratulations!!!!! 

Beating The Odds Schools

During the 2009-10 and 2010-11 school years, several schools in Michigan were identified as schools that "beat the odds."  The schools were identified using information from two separate studies:

The first study looked at schools performing above their predicted levels based on risk factors 
Percent economically disadvantaged 
Percent students with disabilities 
Percent English language learners 
Percent minority 
The second study looked at schools performing above a comparison group of the most 
demographically similar schools in the state.

In looking at the information provided on the Michigan "Beating The Odds" Schools Website, there are a few schools that look demographically similar to Mitchell School.  They show below.

The information is being shared in case it might help the Mitchell School Improvement Team identify additional strategies for improving Mitchell.



2010-11:  
Iris Becker Elementary School, Dearborn, Wayne RESA
Top to Bottom Percentile Ranking:  85
Small city K-5/6 schools 
SFA around $8,350 
Enrollment around 425 
Minority at 15% 
ED around 84% 
SWD around 8% 
LEP around 53% 

Identified Success Factors
Extremely high ELL population; majority of teachers have ESL endorsements 
Literacy coaches and extensive special education and resource instructors. 
Very highly qualified and engaged teachers. 
Extended day program; partnership with U of M Dearborn; multiple instructional programs to meet the needs of students. 
Heavy parental involvement; school provides computer literacy classes to parents who need them; supportive PTA who helps parents understand how to be involved 
“Effective and inspirational leadership”



North Godwin Elementary School, Kent ISD
Top to Bottom Percentile Rankings:  79
K-5/6 schools in small cities 
Enrollment around 425
SFA around $7,550 
Minority around 68% 
ED around 80% 
SWD around 14% 
LEP around 24% 

Identified Success Factors
“Amazing collaborative culture;” constant communication between classroom and specialized teachers; PLC 
Community school; full-time community coordinator to help with attendance and organize parent involvement. 
Analyze data “continuously” 
Sense of community in the school where the staff focus on the student AND their whole family. 
“They do whatever it takes to make students successful” (district quote). 
Strong, caring staff; very collaborative with each other; innovative and willing to try new things. 
Exhibit the essence of research practitioners (ISD quote)


2009-10:  
North Godwin Elementary School, Kent ISD
Reading: 95% proficient on MEAP
Math:  97% proficient on MEAP
K-5/6 schools in small cities
SFA around $7,600 
Enrollment around 425 
Minority around 66% 
ED around 82% 
SWD around 14% 
LEP around 20% 

Identified Success Factors
Instruction is modified based on state and local data. 
Focus on literacy and the common core state standards. 
Collaboration with other schools and ISD for school improvement. 
“Failure is not an option.” 
High population of English language learners (ELLs), exceptional collaboration of general education and ELL teachers. 
Set goals for individual students and get data on student performance. Data are shared with students and used daily! 
Strong ELL program & a “Parents as Teachers”program to help their bilingual parents. 
Instructional specialists and literacy coaches available to work with teachers regularly. 
Response to Intervention (RTI) progress with support from Kent ISD.