N.J.-S.P. Board Approves School Improvement Plans

Posted on November 17, 2016
Author Mary Perren, WKVI

The two principals at North Judson-San Pierre schools have finalized their school improvement plans ahead of the state’s Dec. 1 deadline to submit them.

Even though ISTEP scores are still embargoed, both elementary Principal Mike McBride and junior/senior high school Principal Jim Polite are anticipating sub-par math scores.

McBride did tell the school board Tuesday that 98 percent of 3rd graders passed the IREAD test, and other indicators point to strong reading proficiency.

As for math, he says school officials are collecting and analyzing data from a range of sources and adopting it to their in-house training and updated curriculum mapping. McBride says the elementary school is also working to improve academic proficiency across the curriculum and to continue to meet targets in reading and math.

N.J.-S.P. Elementary also has a Title 1 School-wide plan that is funded in part by the federal government. McBride says it includes making sure all core classes are taught by highly qualified teachers, ongoing professional development, inclusion of faculty in decision making, parental involvement through activities like literacy nights, assistance for students who are not proficient and working with all area preschool programs to ensure students are ready to start kindergarten.

Polite’s plan recognizes the first year of the new North Judson-San Pierre Junior/Senior High School configuration. He says the school has increased its advanced placement and dual credit course offerings and is proud of its extremely successful agriculture program.

Polite acknowledges the needs to improve student proficiency in math by increasing the mastery of key concepts. He says they are administering STAR assessment tests at least three times per year to identify areas in need of remediation.

The junior/senior high school is also promoting a positive school environment by recognizing students for doing things “The Bluejay Way.” It includes respect, responsibility and achievement, and any teacher may nominate any student for going above and beyond in those areas.

Polite says they are also working on increased vocabulary and reading comprehension skills through curriculum-wide exposure to key vocabulary terms and utilization of the STAR test to identify potential weaknesses.

He also stresses shareholder involvement from parents, teachers, administrators and staff.

The school board unanimously approved both school improvement plans.