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We are in the process of examining and redefining our gifted and talented program, we’re looking at our middle schools so that we can begin curriculum reform, we’re focused on math and there will be a continued focus of quality professional development for our staff.
S E RV I C E , S I M P LY P U T .
- Dr. Renae Dreier, Ed. D. -
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ment Program) and that many students were refusing to take the test.” Dr. Dreier explains that these curriculum issues are what doomed Greeley-Evans Schools to failure because the CSAP tests evaluate each student’s knowledge of the Colorado Model Content Standards which have been set forth for each core subject in each grade level by the State Board of Education. If the content the students were learning did not align with these standards, then the students couldn’t pass the tests. Moreover, when students refuse to take the test, their “score” is recorded as unsatisfactory. This hurts the school and district CSAP scores. “The CSAP is just the autopsy,” says Dr. Dreier. “The board of education looked at the results of the audit and provided me and my staff with a charge to complete a new strategic plan to improve student achievement,” says Dr. Dreier. “The plan to rebuild the organization around student achievement is going from chaos to focus. We are truly in year one (of implementation of the plan). Our first focus is on elementary literacy. The plan begins by creating a common schedule and a common curriculum.” Year two will build on the progress that’s been made. “For our upcoming year, the board has a list of district priorities, says Dr. Dreier. “We are in the process of examining and redefining our gifted and talented program, we’re looking at our middle schools so that we can begin curriculum reform, we’re focused on math and there will be a continued focus of quality professional development for our staff.” The future for the district looks bright. “We’ve always had quality instruction, it’s just that our curriculum wasn’t aligned with what our students were supposed to be learning,” she explains. “Our plan is to stay focused on our strategic plan and stay focused on literacy and make sure we don’t regress to prior habits that isolated students and staff. We are very focused on ensuring that every child has a quality education. I think the future for this community is positive. We are on a road of a renaissance that’s going to restore this district as a lighthouse district in education.” Lynn M. Dean is a freelance writer living in Timnath.
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Lydia’s STYLE Magazine