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Professional development is an important focus for Coral Canyon Elementary School. The School Improvement team started with a focus on Tier I instruction, working to help solidify and strengthen what was already being taught. Opportunities for development came through school trainings, district trainings, and external agencies. The Principal, Title I Site Coordinator, and Staff Developer encouraged teachers to attend research-based conferences and bring back what they learned to share with the rest of the school.

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

Because Coral Canyon Elementary did not make AYP in literacy, there has been a huge increase on the amount of time spent teaching and working in literacy. We have noticed that our math scores have not continued to increase as we would like. Therefore, we have made more specific goals with regard to math.

We have also noticed that writing seems to be a concern among all elementary students across our district. We have created more writing time in our daily schedules and have scheduled authors to come speak with our students and assist our teachers in the writing process.

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

Strengthening Tier I Instruction – Professional development is an important focus for Coral Canyon Elementary School. The School Improvement team started with a focus on Tier I instruction, working to help solidify and strengthen what was already being taught. Opportunities for development came through school trainings, district trainings, and external agencies. The Principal, Title I Site Coordinator, and Staff Developer encouraged teachers to attend research-based conferences and bring back what they learned to share with the rest of the school. They were able to aid teachers in the process of enriching and strengthening their original teaching.

Describe the program or initiative that has had the greatest positive effect on student achievement.

The CRT Olympics program was implemented specifically for 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade students. Students set individual achievement goals for the CRT test. They ‘qualify” for Olympic events held every other week February through April. Students ‘qualify’ by turning in all homework, participating in class, being to school on time, staying positive, and eating right with an appropriate amount of sleep. Students that reach their goals receive an Olympic medal at a closing ceremony assembly the last week of school. This program has helped students take ownership of themselves by being more aware of their scores and also taking care of their bodies so their minds are ready to learn. Students compete against themselves as this is an individual achievement goal from year to year. We have seen an increase in students asking how they performed on tests throughout the year and being eager to see their CRT results. Students in Kindergarten, 1st, and 2nd set individual goals to earn reading pins.

Identify the professional development activities you use to improve the teaching portion of the teaching and learning process.

One of our main goals was to strengthen Tier I instruction. We decided to hold monthly study groups for each grade-level and focus on their specific needs. Each grade-level received a 1/2 day sub once a month where they came to the school conference room and received training from the Principal, Title I Site Coordinator, and Staff Developer. This allowed our teachers to be more confident in their teaching abilities, learn new strategies for student engagement, and feel more prepared as we brought in more technology for our students to use.

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

Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) are an essential part of Coral Canyon Elementary. Teachers meet in grade-level teams on a weekly basis. Teachers analyze common assessments and use the data to drive their instruction. They identify current student levels of proficiency in math, language arts, and science. Teachers set SMART goals based on the student data and individual needs and refer students for intervention help as needed. Teachers intensely track students below proficiency. School-directed professional development is specific to information gathered from PLCs.
The Principal, Staff Developers, Reading Specialists, Title I Coordinator, and interventionists support the weekly PLC meetings.

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

When Coral Canyon Elementary entered the School Improvement Program, there was somewhat of a hostile environment/culture among the community. There was an attitude of “Blame the poor kids or Hispanics because of our scores…” The Principal, Title I Site Coordinator, Staff Developer, School Improvement Team, and teachers alike, all worked together to bring back a loving and caring atmosphere at the school. The realization came about that it was the whole group that had “failed” AYP. Very quickly, the importance of working together and becoming a team became the focus. All stakeholders, including parents, discovered their own responsibilities in this team and worked together. Information on programs, events, parent meetings, etc., are provided on the school website and teachers keep open communication between parents via their own websites, blogs, and/or monthly or weekly publications. Parents also participate in surveys to help design school-wide programs. Parents are always invited to attend Community Council Meetings and provide feedback on a regular basis. Parents and students set goals for academic achievement at the beginning of each school year, providing specific goals and expectations for the student, parent, and school alike.

• Category 2

  Selected in 2012

• Grades: pre k - 5
  School Setting: rural
  Town Population: 18,761
  Student Enrollment: 677
  Student Demographics:
  

  Black/African American: 1%
  White/Caucasian: 87%
  Hispanic: 8%
  Hawaiian/Pacific Islander: 4%
  Asian: 0%
  Native American: 0%
  Other: 0%
  

  Teacher/Student Ratio: 1:23
  % Reduced Lunch: 55%
  % ELL Learners: 4%
  Founded: 2006
• PRINCIPAL:
  Jennifer LeBaron
• CONTACT:
  3435 Canyon Crest Ave.
  Washington, UT 84780
  435-652-4787
  jlebaron@ces.washk12.org