Wethersfield Public Schools

District Improvement Plan 2013-2016

Wethersfield Board of Education December 10, 2013

Increase Student Achievement – The core

curriculum includes 21st century skills, high-

quality standards-based learning experiences and

instruction for all children.

District Focus:

Improve curriculum, instruction, and assessments in all curricular areas PreK-12

Improve interventions through the development of the PreK-12 continuum of services for all students

Build positive school culture so students are engaged in learning and experience physical, emotional and intellectual safety

Improve technology infrastructure and the integration of technology into teaching and learning

Goals

Improve curriculum, instruction, and assessments in all curricular areas PreK-12

Goal

Continue to refine implementation of Reading, Writing and Math Workshop K-8◦ Professional development and coaching ◦ Integrated curriculum and resources

Appoint certified media specialists / information technology teachers – each elementary school ◦ Support 21st Century Skills◦ SBAC testing

ALL teachers are teachers of literacy◦ Professional development on literacy and CCSS

Refine data team process K-12 Reinstate Academic Leaders (WHS) and

Team Leaders (SDMS) with a focus on improving curriculum, instruction and assessments

Appoint Instructional Supervisor for Math and for Science ◦ Horizontal and vertical articulation ◦ Program improvement ◦ Professional development ◦ Increase student achievement

Implement Teacher and Administrator evaluation plans

Increase high school graduation requirements◦ Graduating class of 2018

Increase instructional time for students Increase professional development for

teachers through an early release model Revise curriculum and assessments to align

with CCSS (Common Core State Standards) and SBAC (Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium)

Increase AP (Advanced Placement) and ECE (Early College Experience)

Research and implement Block Scheduling at WHS

Prepare to implement SBAC assessment ◦ Teacher professional development ◦ Hardware and wireless capability◦ Keyboarding skills

Implement standards based grading in SDMS

Investigate and adopt a new K-6 math program aligned to CCSS

Improve interventions through the development of the PreK-12

continuum of services for all students

Goal

Additional ELL teachers to support growing population of English Language Learners

7-12 – Math and reading tutors to provide student support through SRBI

K-6 – Math tutors to provide student support through SRBI

K-12 Certified staff to oversee building SRBI process and math interventions◦ Increase access to high quality materials

Increase co-teaching opportunities Develop an alternative education program

at WHS

Explore credit recovery options at WHS Ensure access to post-secondary education,

training and employment Expand WTA (Wethersfield Transition

Academy) Provide professional development on the

growing ELL population

Implement SSP (School Success Plans) grades 6-12

Expand preschool special education services

Increase Social Work support in each building

Revise and improve district assessment calendar

Build positive school culture so students are engaged in learning and experience physical, emotional and

intellectual safety

Goal

Implement Advisor/Advisee program at SDMS and WHS

Work with community stakeholders to improve safety (lock down drills, evacuations, etc.)

Investigate the Peer Natural Helpers program at WHS

Continue to administer the spring parent and staff survey

Collaborate with Town agencies such as WECC, Youth Advisory, Shared Services, etc.

Provide Responsive Classroom training

Improve building infrastructure to improve preventative safety measures

Provide staff training on safety and climate topics – such as CPR

Add School Resource Office (SRO) at SDMS Improve parental involvement

Improve technology infrastructure and the integration of technology into

teaching and learning

Goal

Implement District Technology Plan Select a solution for on-line course

management Provide technology devices for students &

staff◦ Increase student access to hardware to prepare

for implementation of Smarter Balanced Assessment

◦ Ensure one-on-one access to hardware in each school

◦ Provide suggestions to community on hardware that is compatible with WPS hardware

Increase professional development offerings focused on authentic application of technology into curriculum areas and productivity

Publish district keyboarding expectations/ instruction at elementary level

Full District Improvement Plan document will be posted on District Website next week