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Additions to our curriculum are implemented in every grade that is possible and in some cases, the lower grades create curriculums that work as an introduction to the curriculum being used by the next grade level. Teachers have bought into this idea of consistency and now second grade teachers check with third grade teachers to see what standardized test areas they need to work on harder to be ready for the next year.

Describe specific programs in place to ensure that families are involved in the success of your school and students.

Our school is constantly holding activities in which parents are invited. We have activities aimed specifically toward academics, such as Parent Training Nights, Honors Assemblies, Breakfast with the Principal, Book Fairs, Testing Incentives, Accelerated Reader End of the Year Celebration and a Spelling Bee.

We also plan activities with the sole purpose of celebrating and just having fun, such as Fall Carnival, King and Queen Pageant, Holiday Lunches, Family Nights at are businesses, Christmas and Black History musical programs, family picture day, Sock Hops, 5th Grade End of the Year Trip and Field day.

Describe the most successful activity your school has initiated to strengthen ties to your community.

I believe the most successful activity our school has initiated to strengthen ties to our community is not an activity, but an attitude that shows our love and commitment to the success of our families. They trust us to take care of our students and to provide the best possible education for them They spread that news throughout our parish. When we seek community support from vendors or agencies, we are told about parents, grandparents or family friends who have shared what a great school Claiborne has been for their children. Creating a loving, supportive environment with high expectations for academic achievement has given us a "good name" in our community. Claiborne is also very active in supporting local charities and fund raising projects in the community and usually exceeds the set goals. Awards have been won for donations to the United Way, Miracle Jeans Day (for the children's hospital) and Pasta for Pennies (fighting caner). Our community knows that we love people!

Describe your philosophy of school change or improvement.

Schools must be established based on the needs of the population that they are expected to serve. I always begin with my observation of the organization and management of the school. Where there is no order, the best teaching and learning can not take place. As a new principal, it was my goal to observe all of the wonderful things in the school that were meeting the needs of th students. Once those things were identified, I focused on the things that needed to change immediately so that students could be more successful in school. This kind of change must be systematic and consistent. It must begin with the administrative team and teachers, but it must include all stakeholders including other employees, students, parents and the actively involved community.

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

Our school's top goal will be to increase the number of students working above grade level. Although we are a magnet school, students can meet the entrance requirements with a score at the 50%ile on the entrance exam. We work to accelerate student achievement through additional curriculum, extended day programs, and very high expectations. During a year, many of our students grow two or more years according to some assessments. This is a goal that involves all of our grade levels, not just the testing grades. We know that students will be more successful in the testing grades if they are already above grade level, therefore this goal starts in kindergarten.

The second goal will be to increase the use of technology to engage our parents in the full school experience. I would like an electronic marquis so that we can send multiple messages to parents and the community. We will continue to educate parents on academic programs that have a parental connection through technology.

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

I would say that the single most important factor in the success of our school that others could replicate is systematic change. All of the initiatives that I have brought to our school have been implemented in every possible area to provide total buy in and to promote unity. Our effective schools plan is used by every teacher. Everyone teaches the same lesson plans and uses the same conduct sheet. All teachers are trained in Kagan Cooperative Learning. Additions to our curriculum are implemented in every grade that is possible and in some cases, the lower grades create curriculums that work as an introduction to the curriculum being used by the next grade level. Teachers have bought into this idea of consistency and now second grade teachers check with third grade teachers to see what standardized test areas they need to work on harder to be ready for the next year. Finally, we systematically try to find the best possible teachers for every classroom through an interview team.

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

During the summer of 2012, all of our faculty was trained in student engagement using the Kagan Cooperative Learning method. With this method teachers can drastically increase the percentage of students actively engaged in instruction. By using a Kagan structure, a teacher can have every student be accountable of demonstrating knowledge or skill mastery within one to two minutes. This has given our students more ownership in their education, taught them to work better in teams and to support each other through coaching and academic talk.

This year, our school system implemented a Response to Intervention (RTI) plan to address the needs of students. There is time in every schedule to address student needs in small groups. This includes challenging the advanced students and remediating the struggling learner. It demands consistency, accountability and fidelity, so that we can address the academic needs of every child.

Explain how Title I funds are used to support your improvement efforts.

Title I funds provide students with extra resources needed to maximize teaching and learning. Vocabulary and grammar usage can be a challenge for students when standard English is not the home language. We add Vocabulary Workshop (1st -5th) and Grammar Workshop (3rd -5th) to our English Language Arts classes where ever available. We strive for consistency in our curriculum across grade levels and throughout the curriculum. A similar program is used in math called Math for Today.
We also purchase technology including SMART boards, ELMO's, computers, wireless printers, iPADS and carts. Teachers use iPADs for instruction and students use them for research and instructional activities.
An teacher is also provided through Title I funds. She teaches in the science lab which focuses on STEM. The lab houses twenty five desktop computers and six science tables for team experiments.
Funds also provide for Professional Development for faculty and a Parental Involvement program.

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

Our school has fully implemented the Kagan Cooperative Learning philosophy for student engagement. It has improved classroom control, student engagement and teacher motivation and attitude. It has caused us to rethink how we work with children. No more excessive whole-group, rote memorization. The students are engaged in discussions, partner talks, team activities and great academic language. The children are out of their chairs, moving around the classroom, interacting with other students and always engaged in learning.

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

Our faculty is involved in grade-level meetings and Professional Learning Communities to discuss various uses for their data. Data is stored in binders so that it can be mobile and available where ever teachers are analyzing data or planning for instruction. We discuss new research, current trends, and brainstorm ideas while looking for ways to interpret the numbers to better tell the story of exactly what and how our children are learning. We invite district level content area supervisors to come out and train faculty to better use the universal screeners, standardized testing data and other forms of results to best serve our children. The administrative team is constantly seeking ways to improve the overall instructional plan of our school. Professional Development is provided based on needs according to the data. Teachers have gone to many conferences and been challenged to come back with real ways to improve student achievement in the classroom.

Describe your school culture and explain changes you’ve taken to improve it.

After coming to Claiborne, I began sending teams to be trained in the Effective Teacher and Effective Schools philosophy of Drs. Harry and Rosemary Wong. All teachers were given a new copy of "The First Days of School" and a school-wide set of lesson plans was developed to help us structure our environment for the most productive teaching and learning to take place all day, everyday.

The teachers and students work in teams to support each other, and this team culture is carried over into our PTA who work in teams to carryout the fundraisers and events that support our school.

Relationships have been developed among staff and families that support the idea that when I do better we all do better and when you do better, we all do better. Therefore, it is everyone's desire to support efforts to make Claiborne a fun and happy place to learn.

The relationships that have been built, along with the structure and organization provide for an awesome school culture.

• Category 1

  Selected in 2014

• Grades: k - 5
  School Setting: urban
  Town Population: 200
  Student Enrollment: 395
  Student Demographics:
  

  Black/African American: 91.1%
  White/Caucasian: 4.6%
  Hispanic: 3.5%
  Hawaiian/Pacific Islander: 0%
  Asian: 0.8%
  Native American: 0%
  Other: 0%
  

  Teacher/Student Ratio: 1:14
  % Reduced Lunch: 74%
  % ELL Learners: 0%
  Founded: 1923
• PRINCIPAL:
  Ellen Lewis Hall
• CONTACT:
  2345 Claiborne Avenue
  Shreveport, LA 71103
  318-422-6562
  ehall@caddo.k12.la.us