Looking at what currently is working and what needs to be changed was the goal of Dr. Lindsay Meeker, the West Liberty Community School District Early Learning Center and Special Education Director, as she told about ELC’s Strategic Plan as the 2020-21 school year progresses.
Meeker, who is in her first year as director, told the district’s board of education at their Nov. 16 meeting, that she worked with special teams in moving forward on the ever-changing plan, setting goals for language and literacy, math, science, social emotional learning and learning readiness in her school that features less than 200 students.
In language and literacy, there’s a goal of reaching at least 65 percent of the students to perform at or above proficiency in their grade level, including 80 percent of English learners in speaking and writing.
She said preschool teachers are exploring “creative curriculum” in reaching students to identify opportunities while kindergarten teachers are exploring unit-based instruction to provide directed writing/oral language education to be able to cross analyze student work and discuss comment and differing outcomes.
She said 90 percent of students will participate in at least one standard-aligned writing activity weekly and two content-based oral language development practice opportunities weekly, all analyzed monthly by a team.
In math, again the goal was to get at least 65 percent of the classes proficient in their grade level, with 90 percent of the students engaging in skills-based multisensory, teacher-facilitates match activities twice a week. Dr. Meeker said 90 percent of families of those students will be provided family practice activities they can accomplish at home every month.
In science, the goal is to get 90 percent of teachers to understand and implement relevant science standards, utilizing FOSS science kits and mystery science in their classrooms.
In social emotional learning, 95 percent of students will be screened and 95 percent of students identified as needing supports will receive support.
Dr. Meeker said the targeted focus will be on increasing the fidelity of PBIS implementation with a secondary focus on multi-faceted supports for students identified as needing supports for behavioral or mental health factors.
While the staff implements the program, the school guidance counselor will partner with classroom teachers to analyze classroom data and implement strategies to help support positive behavior. She said the program is capturing more students who need help.
In learning readiness, Dr. Meeker said there is a targeted focus on “building family partnerships and increasing family engagement” noting because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the school needs to get creative virtually to make that a reality. She said there is a long-tem goal of establishing a parent mentor/advisory board.
The administrator said along with classroom learning, it’s important students at that age have enough playtime incorporated in their learning.
She said there are also many works in progress, from building strategic planning and curriculum review teams that have monthly meetings, to implementing programs and taking a “deeper dive into dual language curriculum.