ST. BENEDICT CATHOLIC SCHOOL 2013-2014 ANNUAL PROGRESS REPORT

 

MISSION/VISION OF ST. BENEDICT CATHOLIC SCHOOL

Mission Statement of the Educational Apostolate Archdiocese of Dubuque*B

The mission of the Educational Apostolate of the Archdiocese of Dubuque is to guide individuals to:

respond to God’s call to personal conversion form Christian Community

grow in knowledge and culture, becoming enlightened and enlivened by faith shape society in the spirit of Gospel freedom, justice, and love

Local Vision Statement St. Benedict School, in partnership with its families, educates students to achieve academic excellence through Gospel values and Catholic teachings, while developing lifelong learning

skills to create a positive impact in a diverse and

ever changing world. READING St. Benedict's long range goals give targets to be reached

over an extended period of time, serving two purposes:

1) meeting student learning needs determined by the

school community; 2) accountability for local, district,

state, and federal reporting.

Reading: All students K-8 will achieve a high proficiency

level in reading, prepared for success in the next grade level, high school, postsecondary education,

employment, and life.

2013-2014 Reading Goal ~ Goal met Our reading goal for 2013-2014 school year was for more than 50% of the students in grades 3-7,

during the 2012-2013 testing period, to increase their Reading National Standard Score (NSS) by the

expected growth score, according to their grade level and previous year’s National Percentile Ranking

(NPR) as measured by the Iowa Assessments reading test. Of the 71 students within this group, 72%

made the expected growth.

 

Plan to meet future goals The plan to meet future goals includes more frequent formative assessment in reading

comprehension, especially in higher order thinking skills, for all students. Teachers will differentiate

instruction to challenge high achieving students to expand and deepen their reading comprehension

skills. Forms of formative assessment used will include scored discussions, student conferences,

debates, running records, Scholastic Reading Counts, projects, and a variety of frequent quizzes that

address growth in reading skills. MAP assessments will be used three times per year to assess student

growth. The school is also researching a universal screener for early literacy skills. Students will set

and monitor goals in reading to include the amount of reading, the level of reading, and the

understanding of the elements of reading. These will include the reading involved in the problem

solving approach of the Math Trailblazers series implemented in the coming year at the K-5 levels;

use of the I-CAT to evaluate literacy curriculum overlapping and gaps; regular meetings of a Daily 5

PLC and Literacy PLC. The Wonders reading series will be implemented during the 2014-2015 school

year.

2014-2015 Goal Setting – READING During the 2014-2015 school year, at least half of the fifteen 4th-8th grade students who did not make their expected NSS growth during the 2013-2014 school year will make their expected growth during the 2014-2015 Iowa Assessment testing period. MATH St. Benedict's long range goals give targets to be reached over an extended period of time, serving

two purposes: 1) meeting student learning needs determined by the school community; and 2)

accountability for local, district, state, and federal reporting.

Math: All students, K-8, will achieve high proficiency levels in math, prepared for success in the next

grade level, high school, post secondary education, employment, and life.

2013-2014 Math Goal ~ Goal met During the 2013-2014 school year, more than 50% of the students in grades 3-7 during the 2012-2013

testing period will increase their Math National Standard Score (NSS) by the expected growth score

according to their grade level and previous year’s National Percentile Ranking (NPR) as measured by

the Iowa Assessments mathematics test. Of the 71 students in this group, 73% made the expected

growth.

Plan to meet future goals The plan to meet future goals includes the following: Teachers will use more frequent formative

assessments, including math journals where students explain their answers, student discussions and

defense of answers and the strategy used to find the answer; use of graphs and analysis of data in

 

labs, activities, and games; more frequent use of math manipulatives to help those students not yet at

the abstract level of reasoning; and continued use of the I-CAT to evaluate math curriculum

overlapping and gaps.

2014-2015 Goal Setting - MATH During the 2014-2015 school year, at least half of the sixteen 4th-8th grade students who did not make their expected NSS growth during the 2013-2014 school year will make their expected growth during the 2014-2015 Iowa Assessment testing period. SCIENCE St. Benedict's long range goals give targets to be reached over an extended period of time, serving

two purposes: 1) meeting student learning needs determined by the school community; 2)

accountability for local, district, state, and federal reporting.

Science: All students K-8 will achieve high proficiency levels in science, prepared for success in the

next grade level, high school, post secondary education, employment, and life.

2013-2014 Science Goal ~ Goal met During the 2013-2014 school year, more than 50% of the students in grades 3-7 during the 2012-2013

testing period will increase their Science National Standard Score (NSS) by the expected growth score

according to their grade level and previous year’s National Percentile Ranking (NPR) as measured by

the Iowa Assessments science test. Of the 71 students in this group, 52% made their expected

growth.

Plan to meet future goals The plan to meet future goals includes: integration of science labs in the Math Trailblazers series

implemented in grades K-5; more frequent monitoring of understanding of science concepts in the

FOSS kit labs; use of the Science Stories supplements to the FOSS kits and the online FOSS

component; more careful monitoring of upper level students to assure continuous progress in

learning; purchase and implementation of the 2nd edition of FOSS kits at the Middle School level as

kits become available; continued use of the I-CAT to evaluate science curriculum overlapping and

gaps, and regular meetings of a Science PLC.

2014-2015 Goal Setting - SCIENCE During the 2014-2015 school year, at least half of the 26 4th-8th grade students who did not make their expected NSS growth during the 2013-2014 school year will make their expected growth during the 2014-2015 Iowa Assessment testing period.

 

The graph below depicts proficiency levels at 4th and 8th grade over the past two years in reading, math, and science on the Iowa Assessments.

Fourth and eighth grades are reported to the state annually.

ACRE Results In the spring of 2014, fifth grade and eighth grade students took the National Catholic Education Association Assessment of Catechesis/Religious Education to assess students’

knowledge of key faith concepts, including God-Father, Son and Holy Spirit; Church-One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic; Liturgy and Sacraments; Revelation, Scripture and Faith; Life in

Christ-Personal Morality and Catholic Social Teaching; Church History; Prayer/Religious

Practices; and Catholic Faith Literacy. This marks the third year St. Benedict School has taken this test.

5th- 0% Needs Improvement 100% Proficient 54% Advanced

8th- 13% Needs Improvement 87% Proficient 33% Advanced

5th- 87% Correct 8th- 79% Correct Nat’l Average- 71% Correct

0%  10%  20%  30%  40%  50%  60%  70%  80%  90%  100%  

10-­‐11   11-­‐12   12-­‐13   13-­‐14   10-­‐11   11-­‐12   12-­‐13   13-­‐14  

4th  Grade   8th  Grade  

Reading  Pro;iciency  

Math  Pro;iciency  

Science  Pro;iciency  

 

MAP Results

Measures of Academic Progress assessments provide detailed, actionable data about where each child is on their unique learning path. MAP tests were first administered in the Winter of

2014. In subsequent years, testing will take place in the Fall, Winter and Spring allowing the year’s growth to be reported in future years. For the current school year, overall

performance is being reported for grades 2, 4 and 8.

2nd Grade Reading 4th Grade Reading 8th Grade Reading 20% - Low 14% - Low 0% - Low 10% - Low Average 0% - Low Average 6% - Low Average

20% - Average 14% - Average 19% - Average 20% - High Average 36% - High Average 25% - High Average

30% - High 36% - High 50% - High

2nd Grade Math 4th Grade Math 8th Grade Math 10% - Low 7% - Low 6% - Low 10% - Low Average 21% - Low Average 6% - Low Average

20% - Average 14% - Average 19% - Average 40% - High Average 36% - High Average 13% - High Average

20% - High 21% - High 56% - High

2nd Grade Language 4th Grade Language 8th Grade Language 10% - Low 7% - Low 0% - Low 20% - Low Average 21% - Low Average 6% - Low Average

20% - Average 21% - Average 19% - Average

30% - High Average 43% - High Average 13% - High Average 20% - High 7% - High 63% - High

4th Grade Science 8th Grade Science 0% - Low 0% - Low 14% - Low Average 0% - Low Average

7% - Average 13% - Average

21% - High Average 38% - High Average 57% - High 50% - High

 

Participation Rates All fourth grade and eighth grade students enrolled at St. Benedict

School at the time of testing took the Iowa Assessments and MAP tests. These two grade levels are reported annually to the state. Locally Determined Goals St. Benedict Catholic School has the following local goal in place: Students in grade kindergarten will show improvement in reading skills. The indicators

that showed improvement in this area were all students in kindergarten showed growth in

reading from fall to spring as measured by the DIBELS assessment. Student Learning Goals- Archdiocese of Dubuque 1. Religion/Spirituality:

Students demonstrate knowledge of God and of the Catholic religion and verify

development of their spiritual lives. 2. Communication

Students effectively communicate for a variety of purposes. 3. Analysis

Students observe, infer, analyze, and evaluate idea processes, structures, and organizations.

4. Problem Solving Students solve problems and resolve conflicts individually and cooperatively.

5. Value Judgments/Decision Making Students make decisions based on Gospel values.

6. Aesthetics/Fine Arts Students apply creativity and skill in the performing and fine arts.

7. Civic Responsibility Students will be responsible members of local and global communities.

8. Environment Students will be responsible and respectful of the environment.

9. Wellness Students formulate and achieve healthy lifestyles.

10. Technology Students effectively and morally use technology.

11. Life and Career Planning Students develop lifelong goals and strategies for living.