Part I

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VISION

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In the following pages the facu= lty and staff of Kossuth School (K-12) would like to give you a tour of = our school’s research-based factors related to student performance, belie= fs, mission statement, vision, and expected learning criteria for the students = of the Kossuth School system. The table below pro= vides a vision in process and our efforts to examine researched-based factors that relate to student performance.

Research-Based Factors Related to Stu= dent Performance

&nbs= p; &= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; EFFECTIVE PRACTICES AND = &nb= sp; = &nb= sp; = &nb= sp; QUESTIONS FOR

= ; &n= bsp; = ; &n= bsp; = ; ORGANIZATIONAL CONDITIONS &n= bsp; = ; &n= bsp; = ; &n= bsp; FURTHER EXAMINATION

Ensure Desired Results &nbs= p; &= nbsp; &nbs= p;

v Our school possesses high expectations for stu= dent achievement which are communicated to students and parents throughout the year with progress reports, grade sheets, individual teacher/student/parent/confer-

ences and calls, and communicati= on logs. &nbs= p; &= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; &nbs= p; Our school uses local and state assessments

to make informed decisions regar= ding curriculum. = ; &n= bsp; = ; &n= bsp; = ; &n= bsp; &nb= sp; =

Improve Teaching and Learning &nbs= p; &= nbsp;

v Our school adapts instruction to meet diverse = needs of students. = ;

v Our school encourages family and community mem= bers to help students with class assignments and projects.

       &nbs= p;            &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;

v      Our school offers a wide variety of       &nbs= p;            &= nbsp;        curricular activities which involve students in and out of the classroom.

Foster a Culture for Improvement

v      Our school schedules monthly and/or as needed meetings for problem-solving and achieving our school’s vision for professional development.

v      Our teachers and administrators work together = in improvement efforts.

v      = Our teachers believe that all students can learn.

v      = Our teachers utilize strategies which incorporate technology and multimedia.<= /span> <= /span>

Quality Teachers

v      All teachers are certified and trained in their teaching fields

v      Teachers have a genuine concern about student success and provide multiple opportunities for success<= /i>

Effective Leadership

v      All teachers and administration are involved i= n the school improvement process through chair positions, committee <= /span>pos= itions, or support teams.

v      Teachers provide leadership in the classroom i= n a professional manner.<= span style=3D'font-size:10.0pt'>

Quality Information=             &nb= sp;            =             &nb= sp;

v      Our school collects data from state and local assessment.

v      Our school tests all students under all       &nbs= p;          circumstances, thus providing a true picture of student progress.<= o:p>

Policies and Procedure
v      Our school utilizes faculty meetings as a time= to share improvement efforts.

v      Our policies and procedures are administered as fairly as possible to all students and teachers.

Resources and Support Systems

v      Our school recruits and assigns teacher with s= trong skills to areas in need of improvement.

Ensure Desired Results

How can we further improve our communication of achievements to stakeholders?

= Will classroom assessments be used to determine the improvement goals?<= /i> <= o:p>

Improve Teaching and Learning

How can we assure that reading levels improve = from one grade to the next?

What other strategies are available to improve instruction, especially with larger class sizes?

How might we improve the amount of student participation in extracurricular activities?

Foster a Culture for Improvement

Are all grade levels focused on improvement?

What teaching strategies will provide lower le= vel students with a more comfortable learning environment? =

What efforts can be made to improve open communication between teachers and administrators? =

What activities can be implemented to develop = teacher insight to student needs?

What additional strategies might incorporate technology and multimedia?

= Quality Teachers

How can teachers further improve their instruc= tion practices?       &nbs= p;

Effective Leadership

How can school leaders further unify the participation of teachers in the improvement process?

What further staff development would help teac= hers deal with students with immediate emotional problems? <= /span>

Quality Information

How can our school better utilize class= <= /span>roo= m assessment results as part of the       &nbs= p;            &= nbsp;      improvement process?

Policies and Procedure       &nbs= p;

= How can staff development better support teachers’ improvement efforts?       &nbs= p;            &= nbsp;

How can policies and procedures be administere= d more efficiently?

Resources and Support Systems

How can the budget process address priorities = for improvement?

How can teachers better use community.   resources to enrich teachi= ng strategies to encourage active learning?

       &nbs= p;            &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;            &= nbsp;

Beliefs

The belief of the Kossuth School is that we are the tool by which today’s students become tomorrowR= 17;s leaders. Our beliefs are our guiding principles for developing a quality school.

v Student lea= rning is the chief priority for our school because we believe all students can le= arn.

v Students le= arn best when they are actively engaged in the learning process.

v Students le= arn best when they have appropriate opportunities for success.

v Curriculum = and instructional practices should incorporate a variety of learning activities= to accommodate differences in learning styles.

v A safe and physically comfortable environment promotes student learning.

v The commitm= ent of continuous improvement is imperative if our school is going to enable stude= nts to become confident, self-directed, life-long learners. <= /p>

Mission Statement

The Mission Statement for Kossu= th Schools is to prepare all students to become productive and successful memb= ers of society through = &nb= sp; = &nb= sp; = personal growth and academic success.

Vision

We envision the Kossuth School community as= :

v= A school and community which wo= rk together

v= A school which provides a balan= ced curriculum

v= A school which ensures smooth progression through the years

v= A school which meets the needs = for all abilities

v= A school which promotes curiosi= ty and enthusiasm

v= A school which encourages independence and confidence

v A school wh= ich promotes logical and creative thinking expressed through written communicat= ion

v A school wh= ich encourages respect for others and personal self-esteem

v A school wh= ich creates an environment which is caring, stimulating, and challenging

v A school wh= ich achieves level 5 standing

Learning Areas and High-Priority Expectations for Student Learning

Expectations for student learning are the knowle= dge skills and attitudes that students are expected to acquire as a result of t= heir school experience. By clearly expressing expectations to stakeholders, we w= ill identify the gaps between our vision and our current status. Closing the gaps is the focus of our entire self-guided study.. = &nb= sp; = &nb= sp;

LEARNING AREA: Sciences including Biology I

Expectations for Student Learning<= o:p>

v Students will read content materials with fluenc= y.

v Students will use comprehension skills to scan f= or main ideas and concepts.

v Students will use safety skills appropriate for laboratory safety guidelines.

v Students will use appropriate scientific research methods and procedures.

v Students will employ study skills to master mate= rial.

LEARNING AREA: Mathematics includi= ng Algebra I

Expectations for Student Learning

v Students will demonstrate basic knowledge of math processes.

v Students will demonstrate problem-solving skills= in mathematics.<= /p>

v Students will compute accurately with and withou= t a calculator.

v Students will use appropriate graphing technique= s.

v Students will demonstrate knowledge of order of operation for mathematics.=

LEARNING AREA: English including E= nglish II

Expectations for Student Learning

v Students will demonstrate mastery of basic gramm= ar.

v Students will demonstrate adequate mastery of structure and usage.

v Students will read content materials with fluenc= y.

v Students will use comprehension skills to scan f= or main ideas and concepts.

v Students will demonstrate ability to write in narrative format.

v Students will demonstrate ability to write in informative essay format.

LEARNING AREA: Histories including= U.S. Hi= story

Expectations for Student Learning

v Students will read content materials with fluenc= y.

v Students will use comprehension skills to scan f= or main ideas and concepts.

v Students will demonstrate ability to sequence historical events.

v Students will demonstrate skill in reading speci= al purpose maps, graphs, charts, political cartoons and tables.

v Students will demonstrate understanding of the domestic and foreign policies that the United States has participated in si= nce inception.

Rationale for Learning Areas

Our school’s vision for s= tudent learning encompasses our students as confident and independent learners, as logical and creative thinkers, and as part of a school and community team.<= span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> Our vision also includes ensuring = that our students are life-long learners who will be able to apply knowledge and skills within and across subject areas. Current expectations for student learning include subject area skills that are aligned with the learning standards set forth by the State Subject Area Tests, Mississippi Curriculum Tests criteria, and the learning standards set forth by our state and local school district. = &nb= sp; = &nb= sp; =

English, science, history, and mathematics are the focus of accountability requirements for our school. We have determined that reading co= ntent materials with fluency, mastery of basic grammar, mastery of basic writing = for meaning for all subject areas, and problem-solving skills and order of operations in mathematics= are necessary for life-long learning and should be high-priority expectations f= or student learning for our school. = &nb= sp; = &nb= sp; =