School Site Council

2006-07 School Site Council

School Improvement Goals

To fully use and expand the Oak Street Buddies program to address the needs of students performing below grade level, especially in reading, who do not qualify for special education services.

• Continue funding OSB Coordinator
• Training of OSB tutors
• Acquire additional instructional materials
• Improve communication to and from classroom teachers and parents
• Equity of access for all Saratoga students performing below grade level and who do not qualify for special education services
• Measure, collect and analyze data relating to progress

To improve performance in writing by actively engaging students in the process of constructing purposeful writings that demonstrate definable goals, attributes and conventions according to grade level standards.

• Continue to provide professional development opportunities on the development of writing strategies.
• Implement the district wide writing rubric in assessing student writing
• Provide instruction in all steps of the writing process by using a variety of programs based on their appropriateness to the needs of the students. Instructional materials will be found in the grade level writing binders that were developed by the SUSD Language Arts Committee 2003-2004.
• At the beginning of the school year, teachers will use the previous teacher’s evaluations as contained in each student’s portfolio, as measured by semi-annual school wide benchmark writing assessments, as well as both standardized and teacher-developed reading and writing inventories and assessments to determine each student’s proficiency levels and needs. Teachers employ a variety of evaluation techniques which include student performance records, oral responses, reading response logs, journals, writing portfolios, written works, and extension projects. Those students identified by the teacher requiring remedial or enrichment instruction will have these needs met through flexible grouping, and through categorical and intervention programs.
• Understand from STAR testing which specific weaknesses exist in 4 th grade and determine actions to address those weaknesses.

To augment the science program to ensure meaningful hands-on learning experiences that are aligned with state standards for all students on a consistent basis.

• Increase science aide time to a total of 10 hours per week.
• Refurbish and restock science kits that are checked out by all grade levels.
• Kits will be broken down into smaller units so that science materials can be used more effectively in more classrooms.
• Incorporate science notebooks at all grade levels. Students will become more capable technical writers.
• Organize upper grade science closet to make frequently used science materials accessible for classroom use.
• Develop mini-science “Did You Know” centers around school.