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Education Update
Linda Gray Smith
August 25, 2010

The results of the Missouri Assessment Program test show improvements in the achievement of the Chillicothe R2 students.  The results released earlier in August indicate gains in every building in communication arts and mathematics.

A quality teacher in the classroom ensuring that each student learns the necessary content is the key to success.  During the past two years, systems have been put into place to assist students in learning.
The elementary buildings have focused on a consistent, streamlined method of reading instruction.  Consistency in terminology used by teachers in Dewey Elementary, in Field Elementary, and in Central Elementary makes it easier for students to continue learning as they move from one building to the next.  The Literacy Coach, Shelly Turner, has been instrumental in assisting with the consistency between the buildings.
After-school tutoring has also allowed students the opportunity to practice their reading skills more than what are possible just during class time.  The connection between the classroom and the after -school practice is critical.

Emphasis has also been placed on students reading books.  School library usage is up, and the public library usage has also increased as students read more.

The middle school teachers have had the opportunity to work with a literacy coach, as well.  Melissa Young has shared teaching strategies with the communication arts teachers.  Our middle school teachers are trained as secondary teachers, and Mrs. Young’s assistance with reading pedagogy has been appreciated.  Middle school students have also had the opportunity to be involved in remediation time during the day to assist in extra time to learn the content.

The Chillicothe High School staff has engaged in sustained silent reading each day.  Everyone reads for 15 minutes a day, and once assignments have been completed, reading is the norm.  In fact, a reading culture has now developed at CHS.  Teachers have also worked to learn how to teach reading strategies as they teach social studies and science content.

Remediation for students who are earning a failing grade in a course has also made a difference.  Learning the content is critical to the achievement of the student.

In mathematics, the elementaries have adopted a mathematics series which promotes conceptual learning.  We have just completed the second year of the series.  To truly understand mathematics, students must have a realistic grasp of the concepts.  The hard work of the teachers is evident in the scores.

Middle School and High School teachers have also worked hard to ensure each student has learned what is needed to be successful learners.

We saw great improvement in the achievement of our students this past year.  To meet the increased achievement targets established by the Missouri Department of Education, we will need to make continued achievement.  While the No Child Left Behind Law has certainly focused instruction on the need for every child to learn communication arts and mathematics, assuring that every child is 100% proficient by 2014 is simply not a possibility.  I’m confident our teachers will continue to learn and to work hard with our students.
Parents certainly can help by reading with their children, by discussing what they are reading at school and at home, and talking with their children.  Allowing students to handle change when making purchases at a store and cooking together is a great way to learn apply math concepts.

We can make tremendous strides in the education of the children of Chillicothe R2 by working together.  I’m proud of our teachers, their administrators, and our students.