Charter Priority 1.   -   English

SCHOOL GOAL: To ensure that all students are extended and supported to improve their achievement in all key learning areas.

Description:  The school’s self-assessment, supported by the independent verification, has revealed that the implementation of the Early Years literacy program at the school between 1998 - 2000 has been successful. It has impacted directly on student achievement in the Early Years particularly and also has increasingly impacted on approaches to teaching and learning throughout the school. The school’s mean CSF level assessments are about the same as the state and LSG for English, with general comparative improvement against the benchmark data over the recent 3 year period.  There is evidence of some students in years 3 – 6 being at risk of underachieving due to lack of engagement and attendance. 

PRIORITY: English

To consolidate the effects and learning from successful practice in the Early Years literacy program throughout the school.

To raise the levels of students’ achievement in years 3 – 6, particularly where they are identified as underachieving students.

 

INTENDED OUTCOMES:

·       All components of the Early Years Literacy program be fully implemented and extended throughout the school.

·       The 3 year Literacy plan be fully implemented.

·       Student achievement will be monitored through CSF assessments, Reading Recovery levels, Achievement and Improvement Monitor (Statewide Testing), P – 2 benchmarking, Prep entry assessments and other tasks as listed on the assessment schedules.

·       All students match or exceed LSG benchmarks for English in all year levels in the charter period.

·       In the AIM. the school’s median mark will be at or beyond state and like school median marks.

·       Improved overall performance of students identified as underachieving.

·       Programs/strategies to support more talented students in place.

Achievement Measures:

·       Audit of the implementation of the Early Years – Literacy principles/practices across P-6

·       Level of implementation of the 3 year Literacy Plan

·       Student achievement against the CSF in English.

·       AIM results in Years 3 and 5.

·       Reading Recovery achievement levels.

·       Student performance on standardised tests from school’s assessment schedule.

·       M.Y.R.A.D test schedule for Grades 5/6.

·       Number/range of programs to extend the more talented students.

 

ENGLISH

STRATEGY

ACTION:TO BEGIN IN  2001

1.Data gathering and analysis

·     Student Achievement data.

·     Identification of students at risk

·     Professional development attendance

·     Parent Opinion Survey

·     M.Y.R.A.D Test Schedule.

·     School Assessment Schedules.

 

2. Policy and Program     Development

·       Review and evaluate current status of underachieving students.

·       Assessment schedule developed for whole school.

·       Development of Individual Learning Improvement Plans.

·       Develop a literacy strategy specifically for underachievers.

·       Early Years to be extended to P-6 to provide a framework for overall improvement.

·       Continue to implement Specialised programs eg   Bridging The Gap.

·       You Can Do It – I Achieve.

·     Investigate other Specialised Programs and implement as deemed appropriate eg. programs for more talented programs.

·     Implement program to support more talented students eg. Mentoring program.

·     Opportunities for enrichment – participation in community, state and national initiatives and competitions.

·     Revision of the school’s policy and 3 year literacy plan.

 

3. Professional development

·       Welfare Conference.

·       You Can Do It – Margaret Milne

·       Early Years Teaching Writers 3-4.

·       English Moderation.

·       Time at staff meetings allocated to literacy.

·       Early Years network.

·       Professional Learning Teams.

·       Professional reading.

·       Early Years Conference.

·       Goal setting.

·       Assessment and Reporting Conference.

 

4. Communication with and involvement of parents and the community

·      Maintain parent involvement in the reading program through Classroom Helpers program.

·     Develop involvement of parents in literacy approaches through information sessions, booklets, newsletter and publishing student’s work.

·     Annual Report.

·     Literacy Week activities and expo.

·     Literacy information session at pre-school.

·     Other-Hello Night, Coffee Talk, Concert and Special Days.

 

5. Resource Support

·     Resources specifically for underachievers.

·     Literacy resources with emphasis on the middle and upper years and guided reading.

·     Library purchases to focus on extending independent readers

·     Funding for P.D

·     Increased use of Computer technology to enhance learning outcomes.

·     Resources to aid student transition to Secondary School.

·     Employment of literacy aides.

·     0.7 Reading Recovery.

 

6. Management

 

 

·     Designated Early Years Literacy Coordinator.

·     Designated English Coordinator.

·     Designated “ Bridging The Gap” program managers.

 

                                                                                                                                         Back.