Professional
Learning = Student Achievement
Under the No Child Left Behind Act, all states and
local districts are required to plan systematically
for professional
learning based on results. Recently released
assessment results from the spring 2007 Washington Assessment of Student Learning
(WASL) were reported to Nine Mile Falls School District families at the end
of September 2007. “We applaud the achievements of our students, and we will
persevere to work on continuous learning for all. Overall student growth demonstrates
that the hard work and the commitment of our students, staff, and community are
sucessful. We do not take for granted the tremendous support that is present
in the Nine Mile Falls community,” said District Director of Learning,
Mrs. Debbie Lahue. “Thank you for caring about the students and staff
in all of our schools.”
Students
in 4th, 7th, and 10th grades have taken the WASL for
the past decade, but the spring of 2007 was just the
second year for the test in grades 3, 5,
6, and 8. NCLB (No Child Left Behind) requires administration of the test
in the additional grade levels. Ninth grade students
also have the option of taking
the sophomore WASL early.
Powerful
teaching and learning are evident for our students. At
Lakeside High School and Phoenix Alternative combined,
we have much to celebrate;
we continue
to have scores above the state average in all areas. Our 10th grade reading
and writing scores are among the highest in the State at 90% and 93%. This
year’s
seniors (2008) are the first class that must have passed the reading and
writing sections of the 10th grade WASL to earn their diplomas.
Nine
Mile Falls School District tenth graders have the third
highest math scores in the area as reported in the Spokesman
Review. Math scores are
at 60%, which
is ten points above the state average of 50% meeting state standard.
Our science scores rose from 36% to 40% meeting standard.
For the past several
years we have
concentrated our focus on alignment to Washington State Grade Level Expectations
in Math, Reading, and Writing. The results are evident in the data. Our
K-12 District Science Team is now working to align our science curriculum
to state
and national standards. Teachers are actively engaged in powerful professional
science learning that will generate a positive difference over time.
Lakeside
Middle School students made great gains in math at the
seventh and eighth grade levels. In fact, Lakeside Middle
School’s seventh and eighth
grade mathematics students scored amongst the highest in the area as
reported by the
Spokesman Review. Seventh grade reading scores took a remarkable jump
from 68% to 77%. Science and writing will be a strategic
focus at Lakeside Middle
School
this year. Educators are spending time studying the data, collaborating,
and planning the next steps.
Our
elementary students scored above the state average in
every category. Our 4th and 5th grade mathematics students
scored top in the area.
Reading scores
were second highest in the area for our 3rd and 4th grade students.
Writing scores at the 4th grade level took a seven point jump to
get to 67%.
We will continue
to focus on writing, as well as science, at the elementary level.
Teachers and students are actively engaged in learning
inquiry-based science
this year.
All
teachers in the Nine Mile Falls School District work
together on curriculum teams, book study groups, and
grade level teams to
focus
on success for
all. As educators, they recognize the value of working together
to refine their
practice in order to meet the needs of all students. Delivering
intentional and grade
level aligned student instruction results in higher student learning.
The
WASL is only one indicator of student achievement in
the Nine
Mile Falls School District. We use various types and sources
of data to
continuously improve teaching and learning. “We are very proud of the progress our students
are making,” said District Director of Learning, Mrs. Debbie Lahue. “We
know that it is a positive result of the commendable work of our students and
staff.” Education is about everyone taking a vital role
in the process. For additional information and WASL details,
the Washington State Report Card at the Office of Superintendent
of Public
Instruction’s web site: www.k12.wa.us/resources/
