NeSA-Get with the program!

During assessment season, leadership is visible everywhere in Grand Island Public Schools! Here is just one example shared by a teacher and principal today.  Take a look at his shirt.....he is so ready for NeSA testing today!!

Have to love this student's attitude in preparation for NeSA testing!  

This last couple of weeks, I have heard many examples of how schools are creating an environment that supports and encourages students to do their very best!  From videos of adults wishing students "good luck" to skits that entertain, yet provide strategies students can use! The creativity behind the planning is reflective in the attitudes and effort demonstrated by our students. 

This has direct implications regarding our approach to our day to day work and how our own attitude and thinking impacts the outcome.  A believe it was William Glasser that presented the questions, "Where is your mind spending it's time?" and "is it helping or hurting?".  I often find myself referring to these questions not only to reflect, but to help move from a fixed to a growth mindset.  The student in the picture above made me think about how actions impact attitude and the value in modeling it to others!  

"Change your thoughts and you change the world."— Norman Vincent Peale

I Keep Hearing About AQUeSTT....What is it?

AQuESTT-Accountability for a Quality Education System, Today and Tomorrow

You might wonder why you need to know about AQueSTT? Beginning in 2015-16 the state of Nebraska adopted an innovative accountability system called AQuESTT.  This streamlined process provides access to important information relative to accountability, assessment, accreditation, career education and data that can and should inform school improvement.  AQuESTT reports are published on the AQuESTT website as well as in local/state publications.

 Here is a quick video from our Commissioner of Education Dr. Matthew Blomstedt: Introduction to AQuESTT.

As Dr. Blomstedt mentions in the video, the state is focused on providing educational opportunities that address the needs of all children.  How we accomplish this is focusing on Teaching and Larning and Student Success and Access.  Within these two areas, there are six tenets which are defined in AQuESTT.

• Positive Partnerships, Relationships and Student Success
• Transitions
• Educational Opportunities and Access
• College and Career Ready
• Assessment
• Educator Effectiveness

In our approach to educate and prepare our students for the future, we are responsible for addressing all six areas intentionally.  Assessment of effectiveness of the six tenets is conducted through an Evidence Based Assessment (EBA), where districts and schools rate themselves on a rubric citing evidence to support ratings in each of the six tenets. This is a very important process--and informs areas that we need to consider for continued improvement.

Other considerations for the final report include NeSA assessment scores, improvement, non-proficiency, growth, participation, and graduation.   

Based on the following rules (if you like to see the technical side of it):  Schools are classified as Excellent, Great, Good, or Needs Improvement.  See the following document for an explanation of The AQuESTT Classification Process . 

Access to the public view of GIPS and individual school reports may be found on this site.  Additional resources that you might be interested in (such as how to read the report) can be found under resources on the AQuESTT Site.

This is year two of this initiative and improvements continue to be made to the process.  Please take some time navigating AQuESTT.com to learn more about the systematic approach and stay informed of new and updated information.  There is a wealth of information about Nebraska as a state, our district, and our schools!  

We are Better Together!

How do you know you are effective?

When was that last time you reflected on your goals? How are you doing?  What evidence to you have to support growth and what is the impact on you and those you serve as a result?

No matter what position you hold in the district, setting goals and reflecting on progress is a practice that is critical to personal and professional growth and the key to achieving success.  The biggest benefactors if course are our students.

At the BOE meeting Monday evening, our campus highlights presented evidence of the impact of actively working on established goals.  Engleman teachers presented ways that they are learning how to engage students in content through the integration of technology.  The presentation showed evidence of teachers learning together and sharing ideas as well as examples of impact on student learning during a staff meeting. This practice has direct connections to our Marzano Instructional Model with a focus on planning for differentiation and engagement.

Westridge students and staff presented the impact of Rachel's Challenge on their students, which stemmed from a goal to improve climate and student relationships. The students grabbed the attention of the audience with their examples and evidence of how they are making a difference and creating the conditions in their school where all students belong and have the opportunity to learn.  They stated their next steps and how they can continue their efforts to involve others beyond their school. Reflecting on their accomplishments has caused even more motivation and will no doubt have an impact on student achievement.  

The practice of setting goals is not a new concept or innovative practice, it's a foundational idea to examine beliefs and theories that influence our actions.

Just a reminder for our certified staff that our tool for documenting reflections and uploading evidence to support your growth is in iObservation.
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Go to Growth

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There are two ways that you can reflect:
Add entries in the Reflection Log:

or
                               

                              ⇩
You can add comments, upload evidence under your action steps.

Be sure to change your status from "In Progress" to "Finished" once you have completed your action steps!

Goal setting and reflection is a practice that we want all staff to engage in.

Classified staff may refer to your supervisor regarding the goal setting and reflection process.  There is also a goal setting form to guide your thinking on the intranet under Staff Evaluations.