Beech Tree News Network

North Butler Elementary has been identified as OTHER for the 2017-18 school year.  The term OTHER as it relates to the new accountability system is good news, as it mean we are part of the 66% of schools who do not have a targeted support or comprehensive support requirement from the state.  

KPREP scores from across the state were release this morning by the Kentucky Department of Education.  The ever-changing format of which the scores are released and figured make sharing the results somewhat of a difficult task for school leadership.  In the past it was very easy to report a single score that let the community know where we ranked in regards to percentile across the state with a standard novice, apprentice, proficient or distinguished status.   The goal set forth with the new changes intended to allow our stakeholders (parents and community) to possess a better understanding of where schools are, and what their children struggle with.  I am not sure such a system has been created, but we will work diligently with our community to ensure you understand where NBES is and where we want to be.  My office is always open for anyone to come and discuss our academics with my us.

 How schools are now evaluated:

School performance is evaluated on a variety of factors that are called indicators in Kentucky’s School Accountability System. Multiple indicators are used to determine performance. Information on each indicator is publicly reported.

For 2017-2018, three indicators per level will be used for accountability.

Elementary/Middle School

- Proficiency: Student performance on state K-PREP tests in reading and mathematics

- A Separate Academic Indicator: Student performance on state K–PREP tests in science, social studies and writing.

- Growth: Elementary and middle school student progress toward proficiency in reading and mathematics. This indicator also includes the progress of elementary and middle school English learners toward proficiency of the English language.

High School

- Proficiency: Student performance on the junior administration of the ACT in reading and mathematics

-Transition Readiness: This indicator uses several different measures, including

-The number of high school students earning a diploma and meeting one type of academic or career readiness.

- At the high school level, the number of English learners demonstrating English language

proficiency on a national test.

- Graduation Rate: The average number of students who graduate from high school in 4 or 5 years.

 Because we are transitioning to a new accountability system, for the 2017-2018 school year and not all indicators are included, schools will be identified only as needing Comprehensive Support and Improvement (CSI) low 5% of schools; Targeted Support and Improvement (TSI) schools who are below cut score in specific areas and or GAP populations; or Other (Other accounts for 66% of schools who do not have an targeted support needed).

In future years, schools will be rated from 1 to 5 stars, representing the poorest to the best performing schools. Schools that are poorest performing or with poor performance in certain areas also will be identified for CSI and TSI and will receive support for improvement.

 These results tell our staff that we need to continue to raise our standards for student achievement.  Four years ago we made a huge jump from a struggling school to a higher performing school. Since then the data has been very stagnant and leveled for our school falling right around the average.  It is time to push beyond that threshold and go to a new level of performance. Although we did not get identified for comprehensive or targeted supports, we a will never be satisfied with mediocre results and that is where we find ourselves.  We must create an atmosphere of growth and achievement never seen before. The kids of Butler County deserve that, and we want that for them.  It is going to take a team effort to bring North Butler Elementary to new heights. Parents, students, teachers, staff and school leadership must rise to the moment.  I know without a doubt that the vision for our school has never been more clear or rigorous.  The expectations will be elevated, the conversations and task for improvement will be hard- but it is time to raise the standard to a new level!

 I hold by the statement that these results do not measure all! I am very proud of the opportunity that we give to kids.  We have top notch arts, music, media and PE programs.  We have a terrific community that gives our kids a variety of sports and arts programs to be part of. Our FRYSC and Special Needs Department are the most compassionate and devoted people I have ever known.  At North Butler every kid has a name that is known by all. We know them like our own children and treat them as our own. There are times they need love and we give it. Likewise, there are times they need discipline or added structure and we support that as well.  I feel very confident in the culture and climate of the building and it is our goal that all students and parents are part of that climate.  I feel we have a family atmosphere and I know our kids feel safe. Most every child in our school loves to walk in our doors every day and give their education 100%.  I do know that the school like all people, businesses or schools have areas to improve.  Much to our dissatisfaction all of our goals do not get met each year, that is a reality.  Nevertheless we will strive and sacrifice all we have.  There will be times we disagree with the community or parents, because disagreement is a natural process of freedom and opinion.  But at the end of the day we can all agree that we want the best for our kids, and that is why we ALL must RAISE OUR STANDARD..

• Individual students KPREP data (students currently in 4th or 5th) will go home today!

• If you have questions or comments contact me anytime! 2705268936 or [email protected]