TJHS School Improvement Plan 2008-2009
by Bill Fritcher
September 25, 2008
Teutopolis Junior High School
2008-2009 School Improvement Plan
Presently, there are about 166 students in grades 7 and 8 at Teutopolis Junior High. This is a decrease of about 27 students from last school year.
Instruction is provided in all the core subject areas, with additional courses taught in art, study skills, band, health, and computer technology. Teachers in learning disabilities and speech therapy provide supportive services as required.
Extra curricular opportunities are available in basketball, baseball, track, softball, yearbook, student council, drama, scholar bowl, bridge club, bulletin board committee, intramural cross country, USTA Team Tennis, and cheerleading. Volleyball will begin as a non-competitive sport this year. There is one administrator (principal) who also serves as athletic director of the school. One full-time secretary, one custodian, a one-half time library aide, and one full-time and one-part time cook provide support services.
Standardized Test Results:
The Illinois Standards Achievement Test (ISAT) and Terra Nova test are the two standardized tests administered at Teutopolis Unit 50 schools.
The following are the ISAT test scores for Teutopolis Junior High School for the 2007-2008 school year:
Grade 8: Reading 92% of students meet or exceed state standards.
Mathematics 94% of students meet or exceed state standards.
Writing 91% of students meet or exceed state standards.
Grade 7:
Reading 96% of students meet or exceed state standards.
Mathematics 97% of students meet or exceed state standards.
Science 97% of students meet or exceed state standards.
The Terra Nova test is administered in October, and tests students’ abilities in a number of subtests dealing with language arts, mathematics, science, and social science. This battery compares our students to other students throughout the nation. The scores reported compare the average percentile score for TJH students against all students nationally who have taken this test with fifty percent (50%) being the exact median score for all students. The numbers in the table below indicate the percentage of TJHS students scoring above the 50th percentile.
|
Grade |
Reading |
Language |
Math |
Science |
Social Science |
|
7th |
61% |
72% |
80% |
68% |
67% |
|
8th |
73% |
80% |
84% |
80% |
72% |
The school has set the following goals for the 2008-2009 school year:
Based upon examination of the curriculum and student achievement on past local, state, and national tests, the administration and staff at Teutopolis Junior High School believe the following steps will further improve student achievement and the learning atmosphere at TJH.
1.) The administration and staff will strive to implement the RtI process for grades 7-8.
• Staff will become familiar with the RtI process and terms.
• AimsWeb benchmarking will be conducted in September, January, and May.
• Teachers will become familiar with the benchmarking process and learn how to access and utilize the results.
• An implementation plan, including scheduling and identifying instructors, will be generated for each grade level.
• A listing of reading and math interventions will be established.
• The staff will continue to use the TCT process, but will refer to the RtI team. The TCT team will be disbanded.
Measurement: An implementation plan will be established.
2.) The administration and staff will seek to better utilize technology throughout all subject areas.
• Throughout the school year, staff will determine what students should know and be able to do with our existing technology. TJHS staff will collaborate with THS staff to review existing technology curriculum. Collaboration has begun this summer with technology teachers at TJHS and THS.
• Better communicate with all staff what students are taught in computer classes.
• Provide in-service for staff on effective uses of technology to deliver existing curriculum.
Measurement: All staff will utilize technology in their classes. If deemed necessary, a scope and sequence, or benchmarks, will be established for each grade level.
