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Data analysis is essential to developing goals, objectives, lesson plans and assessments. It is the foundation to all that we do in our school. For example, doctors take your temperature, blood pressure and do a basic check before prescribing an intervention. Scientists analyze soil before building a building. Business men and women analyze a market before making a business plan. We analyze our data as if it were as important as the data used to build skyscrapers or make a new discovery in medicine.

Describe the most successful activity your school has initiated to strengthen the ties to your community.

The most successful activity our school has initiated to strengthen community ties is our parent night. We provided a meal for families of students in our school. In addition, we provided a bounce house and photo booth for children to play at while parents interacted with the staff members. Once parents were done eating they were invited to attend training put on by the teachers. The training provided parents with information on how to look at their student’s grades on the internet, use the resources in our new district website and be able to use reading resources on the internet. The parents really enjoyed talking with one another and other parents were very impressed with the available resources. We made a solid connection with our parents, board members, and community members during this parent night activity.

What is the single most important factor in the success of your school that others could replicate?

The single most important factor in the success of our school that other schools could replicate is data analysis. Data analysis is essential to developing goals, objectives, lesson plans and assessments. It is the foundation to all that we do in our school. For example, doctors take your temperature, blood pressure and do a basic check before prescribing an intervention. Scientists analyze soil before building a building. Business men and women analyze a market before making a business plan. We analyze our data as if it were as important as the data used to build skyscrapers or make a new discovery in medicine. By using this data our students are being prepared to become the designers of skyscrapers or scientists who make new discoveries.

Describe the program or initiative that has had the greatest positive effect on student achievement.

We have recently adopted SIOP (Sheltered Instruction Observation Protocol) as the focus instructional program to focus on our ELL students and poverty students. Both groups of students are lacking in academic language in the home. Therefore, a focus on language development and vocabulary has been very beneficial to all of our students. In addition, we have focused on Marzano’s book “Classroom Instruction that Works”. These two professional development initiatives go hand in hand. They completely support one another. Consequently, teachers are focusing in on using the most effective research based instructional strategies to meet the needs of all of students.

Describe how data is used to improve student achievement and inform decision making.

We attack data analysis in stages. First, we look at the data from a holistic or macro view. For example, we analyze our PAWS data, and NWEA MAP data to find trends in our student performance. This view will guide our decisions in curriculum and goal development. Next, we begin to look at classroom test data. This data will guide our time spent on challenging standards as well as instructional choices. Last, we look at the micro data of day to day exit tickets. This data is shared in department meetings to discuss specific students. Teachers are able to identify students who have the greatest needs and also gain insights from other teachers. Our data decision making process is simple and yet effective.

Describe your school culture and explain changes you’ve taken to improve it.

Our school culture is one that is focused on students and their needs. Most of our teachers live in the community and participate in local events and support our school’s extracurricular activities. Our teachers work to see their students succeed without regard for the clock. Not only do teachers support their students in their class but former students as well. The teachers and staff members monitor student progress to graduation and beyond. In addition, all staff members are essential to the success of our school. For example, our custodians have a vested interest in the student performance as well as the cooks and secretaries. Every member of the staff works toward the same goals.

• Category 2

  Selected in 2012

• Grades: 6 - 8
  School Setting: rural
  Town Population: 1,847
  Student Enrollment: 126
  Student Demographics:
  

  Black/African American: 0%
  White/Caucasian: 83%
  Hispanic: 16%
  Hawaiian/Pacific Islander: 0%
  Asian: 1%
  Native American: 0%
  Other: 0%
  

  Teacher/Student Ratio: 1:12
  % Reduced Lunch: 45%
  % ELL Learners: 16%
  Founded: 1981
• PRINCIPAL:
  Scott McBride
• CONTACT:
  600 8th Ave North
  Greybull, WY 82426
  307-765-4492
  smcbride@bgh3.k12.wy.us