Colorado's Unified Improvement Plan for Schools

Kruse Elementary School UIP 2023-24

      
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Content


  • Document icons and definitions

  • Priority Performance Challenges
  • Root Cause
  • Major Improvement Strategies
  • Action Steps
  • Progress Monitoring
  • Trend Direction

Executive Summary


Priority Performance Challenges Root Cause Major Improvement Strategies
  • Adopt EL Education curriculum resource with integrity across all grade levels
    		•
  • PLC collaboration to support EL implementation
    		•
  • Adopt EL Curriculum with Integrity across all grade levels
    		•
  • Maintain and improve SEL efforts
    		•
  • PLC collaboration to support SEL initiatives
    		•
  • Maintain and expand current SEL initiatives
    		•


    Access the School Performance Framework here: http://www.cde.state.co.us/schoolview/performance

    Access the Literacy Curriculum Transparency Dashboard here: https://www.cde.state.co.us/code/literacycurriculumtransparency-dashboard

    Improvement Plan Information


    Additional Information about the school


    Kruse is a predominately neighborhood school with an enrollment of 420 K-5 students and about 40 Early Childhood students.  Our traditional curriculum is aligned to the CO state standards, using EL Education as a platform for literacy and Envision for math.

    Improvement Plan Information

    The school/district is submitting this improvement plan to satisfy requirements for (check all that apply):


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    Narrative on Data Analysis and Root Cause Identification


    Description of School Setting and Process for Data Analysis

    Kruse Elementary is a primarily neighborhood school in Poudre School District located in the South central region of Fort Collins. Kruse has 416 K-5 students with 3 sections of each grade level except 4 sections of 1st and 5th grades.  We also house 2 early childhood classrooms with a total of about 50 students in AM and PM sections. Our free and reduced lunch rate is approximately 34%, and EL learners comprise about 6%. Kruse has experienced some staff turnover in the last few years, with 7 new classroom teachers this year. Kruse has a Leadership Team that meets once monthly, comprised of representatives from each grade level and other departments. This group is primarily responsible for the development and review of the SUIP. Kruse also has a School Accountability Committee, comprised of staff, parents, and community members which meets four times yearly to review school achievement data, and the SUIP, and review the budget and staffing plan presented to district administration each Spring.

    Prior Year Targets

    Provide a summary of your progress in implementing the Major Improvement Strategies and if they had the intended effect on systems, adult actions, and student outcomes (e.g. targets).

    Goal 1: 
    We have continued with 2 full time literacy specialists.  They conduct a balance of push in and pull out services to support students identified with read plans and as below grade level according to DIBELS 8 and other assessments. They are working this year to align their support to the new EL Education Curriculum. All staff have completed the CDE Science of Reading Course as well as the PD offerings this year on EL Education.
    our Spring of 2020 OG Training for all K-2 teachers and implementation of Heggerty PA gave teachers a strong sense of efficacy for universal instruction.  All K-5 staff completed the CDED Science of Reading Course.

    Target: 85% of students will meet EOY DIBELS Next benchmarks
    • 2022-23 Actual: 78%

    Target: Kruse growth on Fall-Spring MAP Reading will exceed the 50% School Conditional Growth Percentile (making higher than typical growth) at each grade level.
    2022-23 Actual:
    • 2nd: 86%
    • 3rd: 89%
    • 4th: 58%
    • 5th: 46%
    Target: Kruse Achievement on CMAS ELA will exceed PSD M/E percent at each grade level.

    Goal 2:  Through PLC team work, teams implemented the Second Step SEL curriculum with integrity. All students participated in restorative circles at least 1X per week, with several classrooms adopting as a daily routine.


    Based on your reflection and evaluation, provide a summary of the adjustments that you will make for this year's plan.

    2023-24 Action Steps:

    Goal 1: Literacy Improvement:
    • All classrooms will implement EL Education Curriculum with integrity.  All teachers and admin will attend related professional learning opportunities.  Teams will utilize PLC practices to identify common assessments, analyze outcomes, and plan for instruction.
    • Two reading intervention teachers will provide push-in and pull-out services (during WIN time) to students identified as needing additional support. 
    • Additional High Dosage Tutors will be added as needed to support students at or around the 40th %ile.
    Goal 2: Mental Health/ Belonging
    • Continue implementation of 2nd Step program  according to all school pacing. Counselor to support new teachers in learning this program.
    • All classrooms to hold Restorative Circles at least 1X per week.
    • Increase use of 2X10 student to adult connection strategy.

    Current Performance

    Our SPF below indicates an overall performance rating of 62.6%.  This rating is lower that we would expect, given the 92%ile academic achievement in ELA.  Our academic growth was only 48%, which represents our major challenge with regards to the SPF rating.

    2022-23 Target: 85% of students will meet EOY DIBELS Next benchmarks
    2022-23 Actual: 78%

    2022-23 Target: Kruse growth on Fall-Spring MAP Reading will exceed the 50% School Conditional Growth Percentile (making higher than typical growth) at each grade level.
    2022-23 Actual:
    • 2nd: 86%
    • 3rd: 89%
    • 4th: 58%
    • 5th: 46%
    2022-23 Target: Kruse Achievement on CMAS ELA will exceed PSD M/E percent at each grade level.
    2022-23 Actual: 
     

    Trend Analysis

    Trend Direction: Stable
    Performance Indicator Target: Academic Growth

    Student Growth Percentiles in 4th and particularly 5th grade are persistently low, with a slight upward trend in 4th last year to 62%

    Priority Performance Challenge and Associated Root Cause

    Priority Performance Challenge:  Adopt EL Education curriculum resource with integrity across all grade levels

    EL Education, as a comprehensive literacy program, will provide teachers with a roadmap and tools needed to provide a rigorous scope and sequence.

    Area of Focus: ELA growth


    Root Cause: PLC collaboration to support EL implementation

    Adopting a curriculum with Integrity means: knowing the curriculum well (the scope and sequence, content and practices) upholding the standards, rigor and design of the various components so that students exposure to the college- and career-ready ELA standards over the course of the year is equitable level across the district knowing your students well so you can make professional decisions that serve them best.

    Root Cause Category: Instruction


    Priority Performance Challenge:  Maintain and improve SEL efforts

    We are in the 3rd year of implementation of the Second Step curriculum. Staff turnover requires continued attention to this implementation. Additionally, we are in year two of implementing Restorative Practices and 2 X 10 strategy for building student to adult connections.

    Area of Focus: Social-Emotional/Trauma-Informed


    Root Cause: PLC collaboration to support SEL initiatives

    Second Step, Restorative Practices, 2X10 are various tools and practices we have adopted in the last 2-3 years to support student mental health and connectedness.

    Root Cause Category: Social-Emotional/Trauma-Informed

    Why were these challenges selected and what is the magnitude of the overall performance challenges:

    The EL curriculum adoption represents a major change in practice for our teachers in their literacy instruction.  It is a change process of high magnitude and will require continual professional learning, regular progress checks with the whole staff, and teams employing PLC structures to identify common assessments, analyze student data, and continually improve instruction.
    Our work in the area of SEL and student belonging will continue as we bring new staff up to speed on Second Step, Restorative Practices and 2X10 strategy.

    Action and Progress Monitoring Plans

    Major Improvement Strategy and Action Plan

    > >

    Adopt EL Curriculum with Integrity across all grade levels

    What will success look like:

    		Common goals (for implementation) of EL Education: Module Block for knowledge building and meeting reading & writing standards; K-2 Skills Block for systematically and cumulatively developing basic reading skills (phonological awareness, phonics, vocabulary, fluency, comprehension,and oral language); Work in ALL Block to support skill work related to Module Block; Shared values (for structured literacy and student learning).

    Describe the research/evidence base supporting the strategy:

    		The new science of reading indicates that 95-98% of children should learn to read proficiently with strong universal instruction comprised of phonemic and phonological training, oral language experience, fluency practice, and instruction in vocabulary and comprehension strategies. appropriate assessment systems, and tiered interventions.

    Strategy Category:

    		Curriculum and Content

    Associated Root Causes:

    PLC collaboration to support EL implementation: Adopting a curriculum with Integrity means: knowing the curriculum well (the scope and sequence, content and practices) upholding the standards, rigor and design of the various components so that students exposure to the college- and career-ready ELA standards over the course of the year is equitable level across the district knowing your students well so you can make professional decisions that serve them best.

    Implementation Benchmarks Associated with Major Improvement Strategy

    Benchmark Name Description Start/End/Repeats Key Personnel Status
    Common Goals - Modules Block All teams to develop quarterly implementation goals focusing on EL Modules 10/12/2023
    05/30/2024
    Quarterly     		Grade level LT reps
    Common Goals - Skills Block K-2 Teams to develop quarterly team implementation goals focusing on Skills Block 10/12/2023
    05/30/2024
    Quarterly     		K-2 LT Reps
    Common Goals - All Block 3-5 Teams to develop quarterly implementation goals focusing on All Block 10/12/2023
    05/30/2024
    Quarterly     		3-5 LT Reps

    Action Steps Associated with Major Improvement Strategy

    Name Description Start/End Date Resource Key Personnel Status
    Common Goals Develop and Monitor
    		PLCs discuss current levels and goals for implemetation. Record on EL Team Goals form. Present at LT meeting. 10/16/2023
    05/30/2024     		EL Teams Goals Form LT Reps
    >

    Maintain and expand current SEL initiatives

    What will success look like:

    		Strategy: Each grade level team will teach Second Step lessons with fidelity. Teams will plan and discuss lessons at team meetings. Strategy: Provide PD in Restorative/Peace Circles and continue classroom implementation.

    Strategy Category:

    		Social Emotional Learning Supports

    Associated Root Causes:

    PLC collaboration to support SEL initiatives: Second Step, Restorative Practices, 2X10 are various tools and practices we have adopted in the last 2-3 years to support student mental health and connectedness.

    Implementation Benchmarks Associated with Major Improvement Strategy

    Benchmark Name Description Start/End/Repeats Key Personnel Status
    Restorative Circles PLCs monitor restorative circle practices - min 1X per week each classroom 10/13/2023
    05/30/2024
    Quarterly     		Grade level LT reps
    2nd Step Team Plan PLCs plan for and monitor 2nd step curriculum 10/16/2023
    05/30/2024
    Quarterly     		LT Reps
    Peace walk Install and teach use of peace walk 10/16/2023
    05/30/2024
    Quarterly     		PBIS Team

    Action Steps Associated with Major Improvement Strategy

    Name Description Start/End Date Resource Key Personnel Status
    Consult w Leah Hager
    		Schedule Leah at staff meeting to review our progress on rest. practices, discuss next steps. Train new staff members. 10/13/2023
    05/30/2024     		Leah Hager
    PLCs plan for SS instruction
    		Complete Team SS form, review at LT meeting 10/16/2023
    05/30/2024     		LT Reps
    2X10
    		2 session of 30+ students scheduled, Oct+Mar 10/16/2023
    05/30/2024     		Jen S
    Peace Path
    		Install and instruct students on use, create video 10/16/2023
    12/22/2023     		Kirk

    Progress Monitoring: Student Target Setting

    Priority Performance Challenge : Adopt EL Education curriculum resource with integrity across all grade levels

    Performance Indicator:

    		 Academic Achievement (Status)

    Measures / Metrics:

    		 ELA
    ANNUAL
    PERFORMANCE
    TARGETS
    2023-2024: 70% of K=3 students will meet AT or Above EOY DIBELS 8 benchmarks. BOY 2023-24 is 57%.
    2024-2025:

    INTERIM MEASURES FOR 2023-2024:

    Performance Indicator:

    		 Academic Achievement (Status)

    Measures / Metrics:

    		 ELA
    ANNUAL
    PERFORMANCE
    TARGETS
    2023-2024: Kruse Achievement on CMAS ELA will exceed PSD M/E percent at each grade level.
    2024-2025:

    INTERIM MEASURES FOR 2023-2024:

    Performance Indicator:

    		 Academic Growth

    Measures / Metrics:

    		 ELA
    ANNUAL
    PERFORMANCE
    TARGETS
    2023-2024: Kruse growth on Fall-Spring MAP Reading will exceed the 50% School Conditional Growth Percentile (making higher than typical growth) in grades 2-5
    2024-2025:

    INTERIM MEASURES FOR 2023-2024:

    Priority Performance Challenge : Maintain and improve SEL efforts

    Performance Indicator:

    		 Other

    Measures / Metrics:
    ANNUAL
    PERFORMANCE
    TARGETS
    2023-2024: 90% Positive on the Student Connections Composite of the 2023 Connections Survey
    2024-2025:

    INTERIM MEASURES FOR 2023-2024:

    Performance Indicator:

    		 Other

    Measures / Metrics:
    ANNUAL
    PERFORMANCE
    TARGETS
    2023-2024: 75% Positive on the Self-Awareness and Self-management Subscales of the 2023 Connections Survey
    2024-2025:

    INTERIM MEASURES FOR 2023-2024:

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