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Progress — 2014
The Phelps School District takes technology in education to a new level, providing all
students with either a laptop computer or iPad. These first-grade students used their
Phelps
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within 24 hours of their occurrence.
“Having up-to-date information
keeps students on the forefront and involved in what is happening in the
world around them,” said Hill.
Elementary teachers are looking to
adopt a new digital textbook for social
studies by spring, according to Hill. Implementation will be in the fall after
training is completed for the teachers
using the new series.
Progress monitoring
Phelps School District staff in-services this year have continued to train
teachers to apply Response to Interventions (RTI) to assist students who
struggle and help those who need enrichment. The focus this year has gone
a step further to focus on progress
monitoring, according to Hill.
To begin the process, all 4K through
12th-grade teachers developed a data
board. Using test data teachers were
able to individualize student progress
on a data board as a visual to see
where the student’s strengths and
struggles exist.
From there, teachers decide what
interventions are needed to make sure
all of the students are successful. After
an intervention is assigned to a student, the teacher monitors their improvement through a process called
progress monitoring.
“It is a formula that shows the likelihood a struggling student will catch
up with their peers academically,” said
Hill. “If the intervention is not effec-
tive, it is adjusted or a new intervention is selected. The ultimate goal is to
make sure all students are at the proper grade level academically. Staying focused on this goal for all students and
working effectively with parents will
ensure we can obtain our objectives.”
Schedule changes
This year, Phelps School District
changed the dynamics of its schedule
to improve teachers’ ability to monitor
student progress. Last year, a resource
period for all students was added at
the end of the day.
“The purpose was to make sure students were up to date in all of their
classes,” said Hill. “The teachers’ role
was as a mentor for each student. Also,
students could visit another teacher for
extra help when needed.”
In addition to the end of the day resource, a first hour guided study and
honor study also was added. Students
could earn honor study and the privileges that go with it by achieving a 3.67
grade point average, and be a student
in good standing regarding student behavior.
“Teachers in guided study work
with assigned students as a mentor,
making sure they are providing quality
work and at 100% completion,” said
Hill.
Jason Pertile, director of student activities and learning, said the Phelps
School went to a six-period day with
morning study and an intervention
block at the end of the day.
“This allowed all students to maximize work time in school and get extra
help,” said Pertile. “This translates into
students able to participate in a variety of after school activities without
stress of a workload that could poten-
iPads to work on math problems. The school also has incorporated the use of digital
textbooks, allowing for immediate updates.
—Contributed Photo
tially be overwhelming. With student
participation in afterschool activities
in the 90% range, this is an important
consideration for students to be a wellrounded young adult.”
New standardized tests
Phelps teachers have been working
at length to incorporate test skills that
focus on the new Smarter Balance Assessment slated to begin in the 2014’15 s