still living locally. This year alone, the alumni association and the PTO each raised $10,000 for the school to
invest in technology. This support plays an important role in maintaining and updating the school’s excellent technological resources. Every classroom currently has a Promethean board and accompanying active
response units.
The school’s efforts are also well supported by its district, Loudon County Schools. The county provides
timely data for the three comprehensive benchmark assessments that teachers can use to show students
how other schools are progressing. Ms. Hendricks recalls a special county support not long after the data
boards were first implemented – one of her students moved from basic to proficient on a test, and Loudon
County Director of Schools Jason Vance called the child’s family with praise and congratulations.
Mr. Clinton said he has fielded concerns about the idea of publicly displaying kids’ results. But reservations
are quickly resolved as stakeholders learn more. The academic gains have been undeniable. The school
hasn’t had problems with students identifying classmates’ cards, and teachers keep conversations about
data motivating and productive. Classes often focus on group performance, earning incentives by succeeding as teams. Teachers counsel students one on one to make sure gains – and losses – are processed in a
positive way.
“I tell parents that the worst thing you can do is go in and say, ‘But, when I was in school…’ If you weren’t in
school one or two years ago, it’s changed,” Mr. Clinton said. “We got the parent buy-in because we were successful. There are many ways to solve these problems, but you have to find individual solutions, knowing your
kids and families.”
Highland Park Elementary:
Strategies for Students
1. DATA BINDERS AND DATA BOARDS: TEACHERS ENGAGE STUDENTS WITH THEIR OWN ACHIEVEMENTS AND
HELP STUDENTS SET AND REACH GOALS
2. TEACHER CULTURE OF COLLABORATION: SCHOOL LEADERS INTENTIONALLY FORM TEAMS OF COMPATIBLE
PERSONALITIES WITH A RANGE OF EXPERIENCE
3. USING DATA TO INFORM CONVERSATION ABOUT INDIVIDUAL CLASSROOM STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES
8