GENTRY -- According to a draft report shared with the Gentry School District and School Board, the AdvancEd accreditation team which visited the school district and schools Nov. 9-12, 2014, is recommending the Gentry School District receive AdvancEd accreditation for another five years.
The accreditation team used its Index of Education Quality to measure the performance of the school district and its schools. The IEQ measures the impact of teaching and learning on student performance, the leadership capacity to govern and the use of resources and data to support and optimize learning.
According to the draft accreditation report provided to the district, Gentry School District scored 277.56 (in a scoring range of 100 to 400) overall, with the AdvancEd Network average being 282.79. The district scored 308.33 in leadership capacity, with the Network average being 296.08; and 300 in resource utilization, with the Network average being 286.32. In teaching and learning impact, the district scored 251.43, with the Network average being 274.14.
The scores were derived from AdvancEd standards and indicators ratings, analysis of student performance and data from stakeholder feedback surveys from students, parents and staff.
The draft report suggests the district revisit its mission and belief statements to ensure they still reflect the data-informed goals and school and community profiles, and develop, implement and monitor a professional development plan which addresses achievement gaps and includes research-based practices and strategies to improve student achievement.
The report indicates more work may be needed in the use of curriculum which "provides equitable and challenging learning experiences that ensure that all students have sufficient opportunities to develop learning, thinking, and life skills that lead to success at the next level"; monitoring and adjusting curriculum and instruction based on student learning assessments; monitoring and supporting the improvement of instructional practices; and the school district and teachers working together and implementing the district's instructional process to support student learning at all levels.
The report noted strong community support for the schools and staff and the desire to provide the best education possible for all the district's students.
The draft report states the school district's next steps include reviewing the report's findings with stakeholders and developing and implementing plans to address improvement priorities and increase the school district's ability to improve student learning.
General News on 01/28/2015