News
from Sheridan School District No. 2Contact:
Mark Stevens
[email protected]
303-495-8699
(mobile) • 720-328-5488 (office)
News
Release
Aug.
29, 2018
State’s Preliminary District Framework Report Indicates Possible
Rating Slip
Preliminary
results from the Colorado Department of Education indicate that the performance
rating for Sheridan School District 2 may slip back one category, to “priority
improvement.”
The
rating was shared with the Board of Education during a work session this week
(Aug. 28) by Superintendent Pat Sandos and Sheridan Director of Assessment
Maegan Daigler. The preliminary rating won’t be finalized until December, said
Daigler. The district is considering whether to submit additional information
that could be used to boost Sheridan’s rating to improvement before the final
ratings are determined.
Superintendent
Sandos said he wants the district’s overall performance to grow enough so it is
no longer floating around the cut-off point between “priority improvement” and
“improvement.” The preliminary data suggest Sheridan is slightly below the
cutoff point to be considered “improvement.” Currently, the district rating is
“improvement,” but that is based on the district’s performance falling two
points (on a 100-point scale) above the cutoff point.
“The
sense of urgency I have about this is palpable,” said Superintendent Sandos.
“We want to see a progression that is slow and steady and reflects true growth
over time and leaves this uncertainty behind.”
Colorado’s
school district rating system analyzes data within three broad
categories—academic performance, growth of achievement, and post-secondary
readiness (using indicators such as dropout rates, graduation rates, and more).
Assessment
Director Daigler said Sheridan’s trouble spots include achievement levels in
elementary science; growth in literacy in both elementary and middle school;
achievement and growth on high school college-entrance exams, particularly 9th
and 10th grade; and dropout rates.
Daigler
said the district is now pursuing multiple strategies to focus work and improve
results:
- Establish
and communicate rigorous targets to school and district staff. (For example,
100 percent of students at Alice Terry Elementary School will meet one-year
growth goals and 85 percent will read on grade level.)
- Clearly
define and implement district and school strategies aimed at reaching targets.
- Progress
monitor targets and strategies at multiple points throughout the school year to
understand if desired progress is being made,
The
look at the preliminary data prompted a discussion on steps being taken to
improve mathematics achievement at all grade levels.
New Director of Language, Culture and Equity
Superintendent
Sandos introduced Christine Muldoon, the district’s new Director of Language,
Culture and Equity.
“We
are really excited to have you and we are glad you are here,” said
Superintendent Sandos.
Muldoon
was recently Director of English Language Acquisition at Denver Public Schools.
She has also worked for Centennial BOCES and Adams County School District 14.
Sheridan High School Learning Walk
Earlier
Tuesday, board members toured Sheridan High School as part of a regular
“Learning Walk” of schools. At the board meeting, board president Bernadette
Saleh said she was impressed by the atmosphere in the classrooms, particularly
using one history lesson being taught with a computerized game. “To engage
these students with what they know best is really smart,” she said.
Board
member Karla Najera said she left the walk with a “sense of belonging” because
she spotted posters in both English and Spanish. Najera also noted the strong
school spirit and sense of pride.
Sheridan
High School co-principal Shirley Miles said the district has worked on culture
and on improving the school’s welcoming atmosphere.
Amendment 73
Board
members are considering a resolution to support Amendment 73 (Great Schools,
Thriving Communities) that will be on the November ballot. The ballot proposal
seeks to provide every student the opportunity to reach his or her full
potential and to participate meaningfully in the civic and economic life of the
community. The proposal would raise taxes on incomes above $150,000 and
on “C” corporations, among other elements.
Consent Agenda
After
shifting from work session mode to a regular meeting format, all consent items
were approved.
About
Sheridan School District 2
Located
southwest of Denver, Sheridan School District 2 seeks high-level post-secondary
options for all students through continuous improvement of quality instruction.
More: www.ssd2.org
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