TIGER TRACKSDR. JAROD MENDENHALL, SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS

A PUBLICATION OF BROKEN ARROW PUBLIC SCHOOLS VOLUME T WO, ISSUE 31 | APRIL 9, 2012

Broken Arrow Public Schools is an equal opportunity educational institution.

Sensational Saturday helps students with EOI testing

It’s A Great DayTo Be A TIGER!

Before I shift into the real topic of today’s letter, I want to invite everyone to attend the Teacher of the Year Gala scheduled for next Monday evening at 7 p.m. Everyone is invited to attend this event on April 16th where we announce the 2012 District Teacher of the Year. We have an outstanding field of 25 candidates, and I do not envy the team of professionals that had to narrow the field to 10 semi-finalists, and select one finalist. Thankfully, I get the easy job of announcing the winner.

At tonight’s board meeting, we will be bringing to the board a recommendation to adopt one of the three teaching models pre-approved by the state. As you know, the State Department is requiring all districts in Oklahoma to choose from three teacher evaluation frameworks: Tulsa’s TLE Observation and Evaluation System, Marzano’s Causal Teacher Evaluation Model and Danielson’s Framework for Teaching. After weeks of review and discussion with the BAEA, the recommendation presented to our Board of Education on Monday night is to adopt the Tulsa Teacher Evaluation Model.

Aside from our liking of the structure of model itself, we believe this to also be the most fiscally responsible choice for our district. The model was created and piloted by the Tulsa Public School system which is willing to offer the tools and resources at no or very limited cost to our district. As we learn how to use and implement the model, we also believe it will be beneficial to have the experts in such close proximity should we have questions or need support.

In addition to the TLE Model, our district must also choose a new leader evaluation system: McREL’s Principal Evaluation Systems or Reeves’ Leadership Performance Matrix. Our recommendation tonight will be that the board select McREL’s Principal Evaluation Systems.

After making our selections, we must notify the State Department of our choices, and can then begin the process of implementing both systems. I appreciate your patience as we have spent the past few months researching our options, and can guarantee that much more information on these

topics will be distributed within the next few weeks.

Jarod Mendenhall, Ed.D.Superintendent

The professional Development Teacher of the Year Subcommittee would like to thank the Site Teachers of the year for their participation in the district TOY process. Each Site Teacher of the Year created a portfolio, participated in individual interviews, and interacted in a Round Table Discussion as part of the TOY process. The high level of professionalism demonstrated by each Site Teacher of the Year was evident throughout the process. Thank you for your dedication to the teaching profession, our district, and the students of Broken Arrow Public Schools. You are appreciated!

FEATURE

Professional Development Corner

There has been much news coverage lately of the situation facing this year’s seniors who have not passed the required number of End-of-Instruction (EOI) tests. For the first time in history, seniors who have not passed four of the seven required tests will not receive a high school diploma. Schools and parents alike have been working to combat this piece of legislation, as well as offer immediate support to students who would be left with few options after high school.

“At the beginning of the school year, Broken Arrow had more than 100 students who still lacked one or more test, but now, one month before graduation, the number is down to 30,” said Dr. Jarod Mendenhall. “We still have work to do, but I am so proud of the staff who have been working with these students and parents on this challenge.”

One result of this new requirement has been an increased awareness and emphasis on EOI test preparation at lower grade levels.

“State testing has always been taken very seriously in Broken Arrow, but I admire the enthusiasm and creativity our teachers utilize to motivate their students,” Mendenhall said. “They not only teach the material, they do it in ways the students will remember long after the test.”

One example of this can be found at South Intermediate High School (SIHS), where this Saturday staff members will host the fourth annual, “South’s Sensational Saturday,” to help students prepare for the English II EOI. Thanks to support from local businesses, the PTA, and the teachers themselves, this is a free test prep opportunity that lasts from 9 a.m. until noon and also features breakfast and prizes.

“This is a program that grew out of needs identified by our teachers to offer extra intensive focused test preparation for our Language Arts End of Instruction tests,” said SIHS Principal Dr. Richard Dale. “The teachers developed this program and are donating their time. I am very proud of our teachers’ efforts and the program they have developed to help our students do their very best on the state’s End of Instruction exams.”

The breakout sessions will include such classes as “Tickle Your Funny Bone” – reviewing figurative language usage, “Comfy with Commas” – a lesson on punctuation, “Writing Like An Artist” – descriptive writing, “Jolly Green Genres” – recognizing different styles of writing, and “Tackling The Test” – review of test taking tips.

Although the students who will be taking the EOI for English II are typically sophomores, South’s Sensational Saturday is open to any SIHS student interested in improving their English skills in the areas of focus. Both attendance and test scores have increased in the years this program has been offered, and this has given the SIHS English Department continued incentive to offer this successful program.