Academic Goals for the 2014-15 school year

Each spring, we administer the Terra Nova 3 standardized test to our students. We get the results back and we spend a great deal of time analyzing the results. We look at each subject and each grade. We identify trends, both positive and negative.  

 

As a school, we surpass national norms in every area. Many of our students score in the top 10%. Out of 300+ students, approximately 100 scored a 90% or better on the total battery or a 95% in a core subject area (reading, language, math, science or social studies).

in all areas.

This year we identified three main areas we wanted to see growth school wide. They are:

1. Reading Comprehension strategies
2. Writing mechanics skills
3. Math computation skills, including Geometry and Spatial skills

To address these areas, we have adopted a school-wide reading focus that concentrates on specific strategies for comprehension each month. These strategies will be incorporated across the curriculum in instruction. We will focus on the strategies with teachers in faculty meetings and trainings. We will also be doing quarterly progress monitoring that will illuminate growth or regression in comprehension levels.

We will do training as a faculty that focuses on improving reading/writing skills. In all subjects and grade levels, we will work on incorporating more writing opportunities. Grammar, sentence structure and analytical writing will be part of our focus. Language Arts exit criteria for each grade level will continue to be met and evaluated.

In Math, we will work to incorporate more hands-on math strategies. Students will master addition, subtraction, multiplication and division facts by the time they enter the 6^th grade. There is also a need for a specific focus on geometry and spatial skills. Professional Development opportunities will be offered featuring math strategies and hands-on instruction. Teachers will also be sent to the National Math Teachers conference. Math skills will also be assessed quarterly and reported to parents.  

We will reassess overall trends and scores again in the spring 2015 following the receipt of our Terra Nova 3 score reports.  

As a school, we do not “teach to the test”. Our goal and our aim is to provide high quality, Biblically-based instruction that challenges our students at every level. We want to utilize the tests we administer to expose areas of strengths and weaknesses and help us continue to evaluate and guide our curriculum development.

Carrie Beth Tigges, Principal

Preparing for Standardized Testing Week

As a parent, what are some things you can do to help prepare your student for standardized tests?

1 -Encourage them. Tell them these are important, but they aren’t everything. They need to do their best, concentrate and check their answers. Pray with them each morning in the car before you drop them off at the door!

2 -Help them get a good night of sleep each night before testing. Eight to ten hours of sleep is ideal for students, even in middle school and high school.  

3 -Plan some vigorous activities after school. Their little brains will be mush after several hours of testing. Take a walk or bike ride as a family. Play soccer or flag football in the front yard. Shoot some baskets with their friends.  

4 - Work through the practice booklet teachers may send home the week before. Not all teachers give tests that look like standardized tests and students don’t always “fill in the bubble” on a regular basis. Just knowing what to expect on the test will ease some fears and make it seem more normal. Teachers will be doing this at school as well!

5 - Help your student kick off testing each day with a well-balanced breakfast. Foods rich in lean proteins will help sustain them. Oatmeal, eggs and lean meats are great. Pop-tarts and Fruity Pebbles are probably not the best “brain-food” to eat on mornings before testing.

6 - Pack healthy snacks for them to have mid-morning in their class. They will need something really good to recharge their brains! Trail mix, beef jerky, granola bars, nuts, fruit and veggies are all great ideas! Try to avoid high-sugar content foods that may give them an initial surge of energy and concentration, but then leave them feeling empty and grumpy.

7 - Celebrate at the end of the week. Plan a treat – a special event, a movie, an ice cream cone or Icee when you pick them up on Friday. Offer to bring in a treat for their class on Friday afternoon.  

Students with parents who are invested and involved in their education are more successful and will do well, not only on testing, but throughout their academic careers!

Carrie Beth Tigges
Assistant Principal & Guidance Counselor