New Vision

School of Math, Science and Technology

 School Improvement Plan

 

Rockingham County Schools’ Vision:

 

Rockingham County Schools will empower all students to compete globally.

 

Rockingham County Schools’ Mission:

 

Rockingham County Schools will provide a safe and dynamic globally competitive environment in which all students can reach their highest potential.

 

School Mission and Belief Statements

The staff of New Vision School of Math, Science, and Technology is committed to providing a safe, stimulating environment in which all children can reach their full potential and become caring, responsible

problem solvers in a 21st century world. 

 

New Vision School of Math, Science and Technology seeks to create a challenging learning environment that encourages high expectations through 21st Century instruction with an emphasis on math, science and technology across the curriculum. Our school will promote a safe, orderly, caring, and supportive environment. Each student's self-esteem will be fostered by positive relationships with students and staff. We will strive to have our parents, teachers, and community members actively involved in developing life-long learners.

 

 

CONTACT INFORMATION

 

Leadership Team Members

2012-2013

 

School: New Vision School of Math, Science, and Technology

 

The following team members collaborated with school staff to develop the School Improvement Plan for our school (parents, faculty, and administrators must be included):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

School Improvement Plan Approval Form

 

Update presented to staff and approval information

 

Date of Presentation/Approval Vote   9/14/12

 

Results of Approval Vote   29 yes, 0 no

 

Principal’s Signature ____________________________________________

 

 

 

Approved by Superintendent

 

Date      

 

Superintendent Signature_________________________________________

 

 

 

 

Approved by Rockingham County Board of Education

 

Date      

 

 

NARRATIVE

 

 

 

New Vision School of Math, Science, and Technology

 

New Vision School of Math, Science, and Technology became Rockingham County’s first and only magnet school in 2003.   Students throughout Rockingham County attend New Vision, but the majority of our students live in the Western Zone, which includes the areas in and around Madison, Mayodan, and Stoneville.

 

New Vision is currently the only year round school in the Rockingham County school system. Our school serves students in kindergarten through fifth grade. Although our students attend school 180 days like other public schools, students at New Vision attend school for nine weeks, then have a three week break and a shorter summer of only four or five weeks. This allows our students access to more continuous learning.

 

New Vision has 301 students. Our population consists of 84.7% White students, 4.65% Black, 4.65% Hispanic students, and 4.3% Multi-racial. We have less than 1% American Indian and Asian students. 36.6% of our students are Economically Disadvantaged students. Students with Disabilities comprise approximately 9% of our student population.

 

Our students utilize 21^st century technology to access and present information in all subject areas. Although we follow the Common Core curriculum, there is an academic focus on technology, science, and mathematics. By integrating math, science, and technology into all subject areas, students are exposed to real world instruction and complex learning experiences. 

 

We have excellent parent support at New Vision. According to surveys, parents feel positive about the education that their children receive. Parents report that their children enjoy attending school and that they feel that the staff is nurturing, friendly, and supportive.

 

Parents are involved at New Vision. We have many volunteers who help in classrooms and with special activities. We have a strong PTO that meets monthly and supports the school through fundraisers and with special events. The PTO provides funding to meet student and staff needs, including assisting in providing technology, leveled readers, and playground equipment. The PTO also plans special activities that connect school and families, such as Candy Bar Bingo nights, a Fall Carnival, and ice-cream socials.

 

New Vision also tries to connect with families by providing after school activities for students. This year, we are working to increase these programs. We have started an after school Fitness Club that involves approximately 1/3 of our students and many of their parents. We have Boys’ and Girls’ Book Club, a Reading Club, Math Club, and a Friendship Club that focuses on the prevention of bullying. 

 

Our teachers reach out to parents and students through conferences and open communication.   They provide weekly newsletters that inform parents of classroom instruction and daily happenings. Teachers offer after school tutoring throughout the year in order to target at-risk students and to provide extra support.

 

 

 

 

COMPREHENSIVE NEEDS ASSESSMENT.

 

This section includes:

• Student Achievement Data
• Instructional/Organizational Data
• Stakeholders Perspective, including but not limited to Parent Surveys and Working Conditions Survey
• Demographics
• Other data that describes the current state of our organization

 

Describe how teachers are involved in Assessment Use

• Teachers participate in the CASA process, analyzing student data in order to meet student needs and to drive instruction.
• Teachers create common assessments and meet in teams to disaggregate and analyze data.
• Teachers meet weekly to collaborate, plan, and develop assessments.
• Teachers are actively involved in the development of pacing guides to correlate with benchmark tests, as well as the review of results of the tests.
• Teachers are involved in the development and change of report cards and progress reports.
• Kindergarten teachers assist with the development of 6 weeks assessments and provide feedback to Central Office on those assessments.

 

 

 

 

School Profile

 

 

 

 

 

Faculty Profile

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Teacher Data	2011-2012
Teacher Turnover Rate	6%
Teachers with Advanced Degrees	29%
National Board Certified Teachers	3
Highly Qualified Teachers	100%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Student Profile

 

Subgroup Demographics

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Student Achievement

K – 2 Assessments

2011-2012

 

Levels for Reading
	A	B	C	D	E	F		G	H	I	J	K	L	M	N	O		P	Q	R	S	T	U	V	W	X	Y	Z
Kindergarten 91% Proficient	1	3	15	12	3	4		3		4	1	4	2	1
First Grade 89% Proficient		1		2		1		1	1	10	10	5	7	5	1	4		2		2			2		1
Second Grade 89% Proficient										1	1	1	1			3		1	3	5	5	2	2	6		6		1

 

 

 

 

 

 

EOY K – 2 Math Assessment	Kindergarten	First Grade	Second Grade
Percent Proficient 2011-2012	98.7	65%	76%
Percent Proficient 2012-2013

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Student Achievement

End-of-Grade Tests

Elementary School

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Student Achievement

Percent Proficient by Subgroup

 

 

 

 

Safe Schools Survey Data

 

According to the Safe Schools Survey, parent responses indicate that there is good communication between the school and home. Parents trust school personnel. Surveys indicate that parents feel comfortable in asking questions of school personnel.   They feel that the school is a safe and friendly environment. Only 6% of parents feel their child has been bullied at school. Most parents feel that their children are making good progress at New Vision, with 98.8% responding that their child is receiving a quality education. They express that they have a good understanding about what is taught and tested. Over 96% of parents have attended conferences and parent involvement activities. 

 

Community Support

 

Parents have a very positive view of the climate and learning environment of our school. Staff and parents have an excellent rapport. Parents feel comfortable talking to staff members about their children and feel the staff to be friendly and supportive. 

 

The PTO provides support through fundraisers, community events, and special activities. Parents volunteer in classrooms daily, on field trips and with special events. They assist by providing support to individual students and small groups. They help teachers with clerical duties and by providing special supplies for classroom needs.

 

The staff of New Vision also gives back to the community in numerous ways. They support the United Way, St. Jude, Juvenile Diabetes, Jump Rope for Heart, the American Cancer Society, and other community agencies. We feel that we are a part of the community and we want to be viewed as a positive influence within our community.

 

 

Teacher Working Conditions Survey

 

Teachers responded positively to Facilities and Resources questions, indicating that they have the technological equipment needed and access to personnel and equipment. Teachers feel their school environment is clean and well maintained and that they have an environment in which they can work productively. 

 

Teachers feel that parent support and involvement are contributing to student success. They indicate that there is good communication between school and home and that the school encourages parent involvement. They feel that parents know what is going on at school and that parents are provided with useful information about student learning.

 

Respondents feel that they work in a safe environment where policies and procedures are clearly understood. Teachers feel that students understand expectations and follow rules. They feel supported by administration regarding matters of student conduct.

 

 

 

The great majority of teachers surveyed feel they are regarded as educational experts and are trusted to make sound decisions.   However, only 61.9% feel that teachers have an appropriate level of influence on school decisions.

 

Instructional practices and professional development questions had high ratings. 95% of teachers feel that the curriculum that is taught is aligned to Common Core standards. 96% of teachers feel that instruction is data driven and that assessment data is readily available. 

 

Time is an area where teachers feel somewhat dissatisfied. Only 55% feel that efforts are made to minimize paperwork.   Only 59.1% of teachers feel there is sufficient instructional time to meet the needs of all students. Approximately 65% indicate that teachers are protected from duties that interfere with their essential role of educating students.

Data Analysis

 

School data indicates that parents are supportive of New Vision and that they feel the school is a warm, nurturing environment for their children. They feel there is good communication between school and home. They believe their children are receiving a quality education at New Vision. 

 

According to test data, reading proficiency in most grades is strong and students are demonstrating growth. Math proficiency is also strong as indicated in the majority of grade levels.  Growth in these grades is excellent as indicated by our kindergarten and 3^rd and 4^th grade scores.

 

Summary of Strengths and Supporting Evidence
Areas of Strength	Evidence
99% of parents feel the school is safe. 95% respond that New Vision has a welcoming staff. 99% of parents feel there is good communication and that school personnel are willing to help with problems or concerns. 99% of parents feel their children are receiving a quality education at New Vision. 96% feel their children are making good progress in reading and math.	Results of Parent Survey
3rd grade reading proficiency was 82.6% with a positive C score of .529. 4th grade reading proficiency was 78.9% with a positive growth of .035.	Apex data
Math proficiency of All students was 85.8%. 3rd grade math proficiency was 89.1% with a positive C score of .652. 4th grade math proficiency was 89.5% with positive growth of .219.	Apex data
89% of students in 1st and 2nd grades are proficient in reading. 91% of kindergarten students were proficient in reading.	Fountas & Pinnell reading assessment data
98.7% of kindergarten students were proficient on EOY math assessments.	EOY 2012 Grade K data

 

                                                                        Data Development

 

According to staff data, New Vision needs to increase parent involvement and provide additional after school programs for students. This data indicates that after school programs have been very limited in the past. Staff members report that only a few parents are involved with the school and they want to find ways to invite more parents to be involved.

 

Our overall growth in math is -.089.   Regarding student academic data, one of our greatest concerns is the lack of growth in our 5^th grade, which was -.115. Other subgroups had low math proficiency, as can be seen in the chart below. 

 

We need to increase our reading proficiency as goal standards are increasing. 5^th grade students had a negative reading growth of -.124. Only 37.5 % of Black student demonstrated reading proficiency and only 50% of EC students were proficient on End of Grade tests.

 

 

Summary of Needs and Supporting Evidence
Areas of Need	Evidence
Increased parent involvement is needed.	Staff input data
Few after school activities are offered to students.	Staff input data
65% of 1st graders were proficient on EOG math tests. 76% of 2nd graders were proficient on EOG math tests.	K-2 EOY data
5th grade science proficiency has dropped from 88.7 in 2010 to 80.4% in 2012, with only 50% of EDS demonstrating proficiency. Growth in science had an overall school effect of -1.8.	Apex data EVAAS data
5th graders did not make expected math growth which was -.115. Black student math proficiency was 62.5%. Hispanic student math proficiency was 66.7%. Only 35.7% of EC students passed math EOGs.	Apex data EVAAS data
5th graders did not make expected growth in reading as indicated by a negative growth of -.124. Only 37.5 % of Black students were proficient on 3-5 EOGs. 50% of EC students were proficient on End of Grade reading tests.	Apex data EVAAS data
Teachers need more protected time to meet the needs of all students.	Teacher Working Conditions Survey

 

School Improvement Plan for 2012 -2013

 

LEA: Rockingham County Schools                                                                                                     School: New Vision School

 

SMART Goal: Increase reading proficiency from 79.1 to 81% or higher as measured by EOG scores.

 

 

 

Interim Update January 25, 2013:

What is the status of each strategy being used to attain this goal? What initial results/data have been collected? What should be modified to meet goal by May 2013?

 

Currently, approximately 225 informational leveled readers have been ordered with instructional funds of $1800. The order was placed based on area and level of greatest need. We plan to use some PTO funds, if available, to purchase additional readers. Two class sets of biography books were also ordered. Dynamath and Storyworks are being used in classrooms.

 

All K-3 teachers have received professional development on how to utilize the Reading 3D. The Reading 3D assessment system is currently being used to assess all K-3 students. Student data is being collected through the MOY assessments. 

 

Fountas & Pinnell has been used this year to monitor BOY reading levels and the levels of at-risk students as needed.

 

All teachers are currently tutoring at-risk students before or after school. Additional tutoring is provided by parent volunteers during the day. A tutor has just been hired using Disadvantaged Students Supplemental Fund to work with at-risk students in grades 3-5. She will work from 11:00 to 2:00 three days per week.   She will tutor from February 4^th until May 9^th. Teachers use reading assessment, CASA, Case 21 and Benchmark data to inform them of students in need of tutoring.

 

Teachers are using Pebblego and Discovery Science to increase technology and the integration of science and social studies. They are using non-fiction printable books, Let’s Find Out magazines, Storyworks, and non-fiction readers to increase reading proficiency and acquisition of Common Core & Essential Standards. New standards and Common Core are being incorporated into art and music lessons, as well.

 

 

 

 

 

Final Update June 28, 2013:

What strategies have been successful? What data have collected? What strategies will need modification for the upcoming school year?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

School Improvement Plan for 2012-13

 

 

LEA: Rockingham County Schools                                                                                                     School: New Vision School

 

 

                                   

SMART Goal: Increase student growth in math as measured through EOG scores from -.089 to positive growth.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interim Update January 25, 2013:

What is the status of each strategy being used to attain this goal? What initial results/data have been collected? What should be modified to meet goal by May 2013?

 

Teams are planning weekly to incorporate Common Core into daily lessons. Teams submit weekly collaborative planning to principal. Teachers are increasing the use of hands-on lessons. They are using multiple modeling, RCS Pacing Guides, Crosswalks, etc. Extended planning time has been scheduled throughout the year to increase planning time in order to allow for the incorporation of Common Core. Teachers have been trained on the implementation of Common Core. They are using Live Binder and RCS Pacing Guides to direct their instruction. 

 

At-risk students have been identified through Case 21, CASA, Benchmark and Common Assessments. Common Assessments have been created through teacher teams and through Case 21 and utilized in the classroom. Mrs. Belton has been serving on the district committee for creating Common Core aligned 6 weeks assessments for kindergarten. First Grade teachers are using Mastery Connect to create common assessments.

 

Tutors are being used before, after, and during school to target student learning needs. Tutoring schedules have been created by all teachers. Teacher assistants and parent volunteers also target students in small group instruction and pull-out groups.   

 

AIG students are being pulled out for math instruction four times per week. Classroom teachers are working closely with our AIG teacher. She has also started after school activates for AIG students.

 

In grades 4 and 5, curriculum compacting continues with writing, Social Studies and technology. Students are conducting research with Biographies. 4^th and 5^th grade teachers have been vertical team planning with Common Core and Pacing Guides.

 

Family Math Night was held November 19, 2012. A Math Fair is scheduled for March 8, 2013.

 

To increase motivation, teachers are hosting competitions between groups of students and Fun Fridays. The Family Math Night and Math Fair are also used to increase motivation.

 

Math manipulative use has increased, but we need to continue to focus on using manipulatives daily. We also need to continue to emphasize student collaboration and group problem solving in math.

 

 

 

Final Update June 28, 2013:

What strategies have been successful? What data have collected? What strategies will need modification for the upcoming school year?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

School Improvement Plan for 2012 - 2013

 

LEA: Rockingham County Schools                                                                                                     School: New Vision School

 

 

 

SMART Goal: Increase after school programs for students and parent involvement by 25% or more, as measured by student and parent participation.

 

 

 

 

           

 

Interim Update January 25, 2013:

What is the status of each strategy being used to attain this goal? What initial results/data have been collected? What should be modified to meet goal by May 2013?

 

54 students in K-2 and 63 students in grades 3-5 signed up for Bolting Toward Fitness. Weekly turnout has been very high. Parent involvement has also been very good. 

 

Battle of the Books is being led by our media coordinator. Approximately 20 students are involved with this after school program.

 

Girls’ Book Club began Nov. 20, 2012. The 3^rd grade girls have read 3 of 4 books selected and are utilizing reading strategies. They have also completed esteem building activities. Initial reading levels were gathered. A pre-test Liker scale was given to each student to assess self-perception. The boys’ group will begin in February and will meet until mid April. Teachers assisted with providing reading strategies for reading growth. 

 

We have decided to postpone the Go Far Program until next year, due to the heavy involvement of our Fitness Club. 

 

Relay for Life activities will start later this month. We will have a student committee to increase student involvement. Our goal is to raise $1000 this year.

 

Other special activities this year include Chorus, Recorders, and Handbells. Students are learning to read music and reading skills are incorporated. A Winter Concert is planned for late February.

 

We also participated in a Juvenile Diabetes Fundraiser this fall.

 

We are on target to meet our end of year goal, based on number of students and parents involved in programs.

 

 

Final Update June 28, 2013:

What strategies have been successful? What data have collected? What strategies will need modification for the upcoming school year?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

School Improvement Plan for 2012 - 2013

 

LEA: Rockingham County Schools                                                                                                     School: New Vision School

 

 

 

SMART Goal: 100% of teachers will implement the Common Core curriculum by creating and implementing Common Core specific lessons in ELA and Math daily.

 

 

           

 

Interim Update January 25, 2013:

What is the status of each strategy being used to attain this goal? What initial results/data have been collected? What should be modified to meet goal by May 2013?

 

 

Teachers are meeting weekly and during extended planning time to plan Common Core lessons. Teams turn in weekly plans to principal. Teachers use Common Core and RCS Pacing Guides to create lessons weekly.    Principal observes Common Core lessons daily during walk-throughs. Benchmark data is being used by teachers and principal to determine student progress in reading, math, and science.

 

Teachers need to increase the use of math manipulatives and student collaboration. More student discussion and group problem solving need to be incorporated into math lessons.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

School Improvement Plan for 2012 – 2013

 

LEA: Rockingham County Schools                                                                                                     School: New Vision School

 

School-Based Management and Accountability Program

Summary of School-Based Waiver Requests for 2012-2013

 

LEA: Rockingham County Schools                    School: New Vision School                                 School Code: 790362     

 

Request for Waiver

Title of Waiver

1.       Describe the waivers you are requesting. ·         To accommodate the reduction in faculty due to budget cuts at the Local and State levels, we are requesting an exemption on class sizes in grades 4-12.               2.       Identify the law, regulation, or policy from which an exemption is requested. ·         115C-301.1- Allocation of teachers; class size   3.       State how the waiver will be used. ·         Due to reductions in Local and State Budget Allotments we would be unable to offer students required courses in all areas needed for graduation without the class size waiver. This will also allow us to include students in higher level classes when only singletons can be offered.   4.       State how the waiver will promote achievement of performance goals. ·         Waiver of class size maximums will allow more effective scheduling where students are working on similar curriculum goals and objectives. Students can be more readily assigned to appropriate grades and classes.

________________________________________________________                                        _______________________

      Principal’s Signature                                                                                                                Date

 

 

__________________________________________________________                                     _______________________

      Chair of School Improvement Team’s Signature                                                                              Date

 

 

District Approval: ___________________________________________ (date)