Parent Key Communicators

Dr. Timothy MitchellRapid City Area Schools 12-8-11

Tale of Two Cities-Charles Dicken's

“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times”

I believe in “possibility”-specifically the possibility that we could can create the best of times if we choose

If we are willing to think carefully-be motivated as to what is best for children-have open honest and factual dialogue about the issues we are facing

Budget Proposal

Governor’s Proposed Budget is a positive given the limited resources

Funded Formula ($100.95 2.3 %)-Gave additional one-time money ($30.92 0.7 %)

Per Student Allocation Increase $34.67 0.8%

SD Investing in Teachers-8.4 Million 1.5% Common Core/STEM/Career

Development Common Core/Evaluation

RCAS 2012-2013 Budget

Still a need to address Deficit Released list of 40 ideas Fiscally Responsible/Committed to

Mission Working to complete

recommendation for 4.5 million GF Reduction Plan

Packaged w/Instructional Calendar Proposal

Guiding Question

What must we have to provide a high quality

education for all students of the RCAS?

Behavior

Key-Act responsibly and inspire confidence

without compromising authority

The Strategy

To become as Effective and Efficient as possible

To become as Innovative and Creative as possible

To guide a conversation to the determine the expectations for public schools-support ways to meet those expectations

John Hattie-Visible Learning

Visible Learning synthesized the results of more than 15 years of

research involving millions of students and it represents the

biggest collection of evidenced-based research into what actually

works in schools to improve learning.

John Hattie-Visible Learning

One of the fascinating outcomes of research on school effects is the number of issues in education where achievement evidence is close to zero but the heat is as high as it is as if it would be if the policy were obviously effective.

The First Building Block

All Kids Can Learn ActivityWhy do we exist?This question challenges us to reflect on the fundamental purpose and the very reason for our existence

This question requires us to clarify priorities and gives us direction for our classrooms

The First Building Block

On the activity sheet you will find descriptions of four schools that operate under very different assumptions. Even though the educators within these schools would contend that they believe “all kids can learn,” they would respond to students who are not learning in very different ways

Please complete Activity

The First Building Block

-The first school views failure to learn as an indication that the student lacks the ability or motivation to master content. Based on this assessment, the school offers a less rigorous program as a solution-The second school considers failure an important part of the learning process-students who do not put forth the necessary effort must be taught individual responsibility and they are allowed to fail

The First Building Block

-The third school is prepared to accept responsibility for helping each student demonstrate some growth but is unwilling to establish high standards for all students. Here, too, the faculty members contend that they have little influence over the extent of an individual’s learning

The First Building Block

Clearly then, it is only the fourth school in the activity that offers a viable, modern-day approach to students who are not learning

The First Building Block

Significant finding: The most successful schools function as a professional learning community:

Teachers pursue a clear shared purposeEngage in collaborative workTake collective responsibility for student learning

The First Building Block

We expect our students to learn, and we work to fulfill

our collective responsibility to ensure that this learning takes place for all students

Learning is Our Work

The best way to improve a school or

district is by developing the

people within it!!

Instructional Calendar Proposal

A bi-monthly early release time district-wide to enhance student learning by allowing teachers time to plan as teams, create common formative assessments and learning targets, do data charts to monitor student progress, create enrichment lessons and move forward any future district initiatives

Instructional Calendar Proposal

Reduction of Additional Pay and Temporary Staffing

Additional Time to implement district priorities Transportation Savings Less Substitutes and Higher Quality Contact

Time All staff could be involved with

implementation Improves the learning of all students Builds collective capacity of the staff

What does the future hold?

*Will student number continue to increase?*Will current cash balances remain stable?*Compensation/Benefits/Negotiations?*What will happen in the Legislative

Session?*What will happen at the Federal level?*Will the efforts of SD Moving Forward be

successful (Sales Tax Initiative)?

The Work Continues

I will continue to review ideas that come forwardPut together a Budget Reduction Plan to discuss with School Board and PublicAttrition/Resignations/RetirementsBudget Modifications-Under spendingIf any items are removed from the plan others will need to be brought forward

Next Steps

Finalize the Administrative RecommendationPresentation to Budget and Finance

Committee Presentation to School Board

Presentation to Staff and Public Tuesday January 10, 2012-West Middle School Monday January 23, 2012-South Middle School Monday January 30, 2012-Dakota Middle School Tuesday February 7, 2012-North Middle School Monday February 27, 2012-Southwest Middle

School