School Accountability Committee
Lincoln Middle School has many great things going on and it is our goal to make continued improvements in how we serve children and the Lincoln community.
In order to complete this important work, I have created school improvement subcommittees to plan and complete work in key areas: Student Achievement, Attendance, Discipline and Safety, and Parent Communication and Engagement. Each committee has a different purpose, but the same goal: To improve student achievement and growth across curricular areas. The focus of each committee was selected because of the impact that each area has on the primary goal. Committee chairs have begun their work with the goal of having a draft plan completed and ready to present to the overall School Accountability Committee (or SAC) by December 6th. The school accountability committee is made up of nine parents, the principal, and the four committee chairs. Mr. John Lynn is a parent and the SAC co-chair. The work of each committee is described below:
Achievement Committee Focus: Analyze the trends in data over a three year period in order to set learning goals in those areas measured by TCAP (Reading, Writing, Math and Science). This committee will determine action steps (planning processes, instructional strategies, and use of assessment) that will increase the likelihood that we will meet our achievement and growth targets for each sub-group. This will include determining timelines for intervention, quarterly benchmarks, and evidence of success. The chair of this committee is Nikki Stansfield.
Student Safety and Discipline Committee Focus: Engagement time interacting with curriculum and learning processes are supported by research. The more time a student is truly engaged in meaningful curriculum, the greater the probability that they will make significant growth in learning. In schools where there is a high rate of student discipline or does not feel safe for all students, there can be a negative impact on student learning. This committee will explore ways to increase the likelihood that students make appropriate behavior choices. In addition, the committee will review current structures (master schedule, passing periods, and behavior expectations) that need to be changed or revised. The chair of this committee is Bobby Young.
Communication Committee Focus: Research would suggest that the home-school partnership can have a positive impact on student success at school. Communication at the school level, the classroom level, and the individual teacher level can increase the likelihood that students will experience a greater degree of academic success. The challenge in the technology age where most communication home is through e-mail or on a school website is to determine other avenues to communicate. We have parents and families in our community that have limited access to technology and the internet and transportation. In addition, there are times that language can also be a barrier. This committee is charged with developing a more comprehensive plan that allows us to communicate or partner with a higher percentage of families. The chair of this committee is Jose Sandoval.
Attendance Committee Focus: Engagement time interacting with curriculum and learning processes are supported by research. The more time a student is truly engaged in meaningful curriculum, the greater the probability that they will make significant growth in learning. In 2010-2011 we had 240 students out of 496 students miss between 10 and 30 days (or more) of school. This committee will review the current policy and practices of following up with students and parents where attendance is an issue. The committee will also review school practices that if changes or revised would increase the likelihood that students want to be at school. The chair of this committee is Tom Hicks.
The work of each of these committees has already begun. The goal will be to have a draft plan to share with the SAC governance committee by December 6, 2011.