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At Bethel Manor Elementary School, professional development is continuous and supports the individual needs of the staff, the school improvement plan, and division’s initiatives. Over the past two years, Bethel Manor teachers have participated in book studies of What Great Teachers Do Differently, Visible Learning for Teachers, and Words Their Way.

What are your school’s top two goals for the next year?

Bethel Manor Elementary School staff will continue to focus on rigorous and engaging reading and math instruction. In addition, we will continue to emphasize the strategic analysis of common assessment data to inform subsequent reading and math instruction and interventions.

What is the single most important factor in the success of your school that others could replicate?

Bethel Manor Elementary School’s focus on the alignment of curriculum instruction and assessment, a formative model of assessment to inform subsequent instruction, and the utilization of the quarterly data wall meetings and grade level PLC meeting to analyze common assessment data and develop instructional interventions were the most significant factors in closing the achievement gap for student subgroups and aggregate student achievement gains. By providing three Tiered Instruction professional development sessions, Bethel Manor teachers made significant strides in aligning the content and cognitive level of their grade level standards with their instruction and assessments. Quarterly Data Wall meetings for all grade levels provided opportunities for the analysis of quarterly student achievement data in reading and mathematics, as well as, the review and planning for Tier 2 and Tier 3 interventions for specific students.

Describe the program or initiative that has had the greatest positive effect on student achievement, including closing achievement or opportunity gaps, if applicable.

Bethel Manor Elementary School teachers implement a balanced literacy approach incorporates mini lessons, guided reading, collaborative learning, and independent work. During the mini lesson, the teacher makes the learning visible for students. During guided reading, the teachers work with small groups of students with similar instructional needs or interests. Guided reading and flexible grouping at Bethel Manor Elementary School provide opportunities for students to apply strategies learned while under the guidance of the teacher. Formative assessment is ongoing during the guided reading process, allowing the teachers to use reading data to inform subsequent instruction and interventions for individual and small groups of students. Another powerful strategy within our reading instruction is word study, which includes phonological awareness, developmental spelling including phonics, and vocabulary.

Identify the critical professional development activities you use to improve teaching and student learning.

At Bethel Manor Elementary School, professional development is continuous and supports the individual needs of the staff, the school improvement plan, and division’s initiatives. Over the past two years, Bethel Manor teachers have participated in book studies of What Great Teachers Do Differently, Visible Learning for Teachers, and Words Their Way. Teachers have also participated in professional development to support our Literacy Model for reading instruction. Third, fourth, and fifth grade teachers, special educators, and reading specialists participated in a 3-part Tiered Instruction professional development series. During this 3-part series, teachers learned about tiered instruction, lesson design, and formative and summative assessment.

Describe how data is used to improve student achievement and inform decision making.

A significant point of emphasis within the instructional plan for Bethel Manor Elementary School is the strategic analysis of common assessment data to inform subsequent reading and mathematics instruction and interventions. In addition to common grade level planning, we are very proud of the Professional Learning Community (PLC) meeting process that continues to be utilized at Bethel Manor Elementary School. The PLC process has also provided teachers with the opportunity to reflect on pedagogy and allow data analysis to inform subsequent planning and instruction. Teachers are able to include the strategies from the PLC meeting into their daily and weekly lesson plans for guided reading and mathematics instruction. By developing differentiated instructional plans that are based on the analysis of common assessment data, teachers are able to continue the cycle of instruction and assessment until all students have mastered the intended learning outcome.

• Category 2

  Selected in 2015

• Grades: pre k - 5
  School Setting: urban
  Town Population: 0
  Student Enrollment: 640
  Student Demographics:
  

  Black/African American: 18%
  White/Caucasian: 47.8%
  Hispanic: 19.8%
  Hawaiian/Pacific Islander: 0.3%
  Asian: 1.4%
  Native American: 0.8%
  Other: 11.9%
  

  Teacher/Student Ratio: 1:19
  % Reduced Lunch: 47%
  % ELL Learners: 3%
  Founded: 1968
• PRINCIPAL:
  Michael Lombardo
• CONTACT:
  1797 First Street
  LAFB, VA 23665
  757-867-7439
  mlombardo@ycsd.york.va.us