PLC 3- Steffani, Ellen, Chandler, Victoria, and Grace C.

Disaggregated Data Project

Tarrant Intermediate
School

Trace Crossings Elementary

School

Resources used to teach

Reading

Some teachers attempted to

use basal readers but didnt
use it correctly. Some did not
use a basal and created their
own reading block.

Teachers designed reading

blocks using their own
resources or resources
provided for them in the
library and reading coaches
room.

Resources used to teach

Math

Envisions. Teachers use their

own resources they either
make themselves or find off
of teacher pay teachers.
Teacher also use Pinterest to
find resource.

Investigations
-Manipulatives
-1st grade teachers went to
Math Conference for
professional development
-Math Coach comes into teach
lessons sometimes to the
classes.

-Principal is dedicated to
student achievement

-Technology

Strengths

-Compared to other urban

schools, teachers are more
focused on student learning
-Teacher/student
relationship; good
community
-Great management

Weaknesses

-Cluster groups (frustrating

for teachers; students cant
learn as well from one
another)
-Lack of parent involvement
-Material is taught for test
achievement rather than
student understanding

- Diverse school- many

languages represented
- Good sense of community
- Great administration
- Lots of opportunities for
teachers to receive
professional development

-Teacher quality is not

consistent
- Re-zoning is causing bad
reputation

School Initiative/School
Improvements plans

-Committed to serving all

students and the community
through quality learning in a
secure environment ensuring
college and career readiness
-Prepare students for
learning, service, and success

-Increase student achievement

and learning
-Excel in national benchmarks
of academic achievement
-Be prepared
-Acceptance and success in
their college and/or career of
choice
-At risk students will make
progress towards achieving
standards
-School climate is safe and
orderly
-Support a positive and
collaborative learning culture
-Schools actively engage and
communicate with all
stakeholders
-School culture is nurturing
and enriching

Ways the school is involving

parents in student
achievement

-Parent info page on the

website; minimal
involvement
-Talent shows

Math Night for the parents,

PTO Meetings, website with
upcoming events, talent
shows, social media,
fundraising nights, etc.

Accountability Resources
used by the school to track
student improvement

Global Scholar Practice Tests, F&P Running Records, ACT

STAR, ACT Aspire,
Aspire,

Discuss the Role Support

Personnel to increase
student achievement

ELL teacher, Math Coach

ELL teacher
Title 1 Teacher
Reading and Math Coaches

How do the teachers work

together to share data

At Tarrant there is a Data

Room where all the teachers
post their data for their
students.

Teachers meet with each other

once a week for team
meetings.

Data
Level I - Does Not Meet Academic Content Standards
Level II - Partially Meets Academic Content Standards

Level III - Meets Academic Content Standards

Level IV - Exceeds Academic Content Standards

Tarrant Reading
2010-2011

2011-2012

Level 1

0.00%

0.00%

Level 2

22.73%

32.41%

Level 3

44.32%

46.30%

Level 4

32.95%

21.30%

Tarrant Math
2010-2011

2011-2012

Level 1

0.92%

0.0%

Level 2

32.11%

30.68%

Level 3

31.19%

35%

Level 4

35.78%

44.32%

TCES Math
2010-2011

2011-2012

Level 1

0.00%

3.81%

Level 2

10.53%

41.9%

Level 3

28.42%

26.67%

Level 4

61.05%

27.62%

TCES Reading
Level 1

2010-2011

2011-2012

0.00%

.96 %

Level 2

6.32%

13.46%

Level 3

20.00%

37.50%

Level 4

73.68%

48.08%

Tarrant Intermediate School

Since 2010 both the math and reading scores have increased at Tarrant Intermediate
School. While the scores are not satisfactory compared to other school districts in the area, they
are continuing to grow.
After reviewing strengths and weaknesses, the data is not surprising. The strengths of the
school include but are not limited to: a dedicated principal, dedicated teachers and staff focused
on student learning, good teacher/student relationships, an overall community feel, and

wonderful classroom management. The teachers use practice tests such as Global Scholar, and
STAR testing for test preparation. Dr. McDonald, the principal of the school, has created and
organized various activities to help increase student achievement, specifically on standardized
tests, such as math bowl and testing pep rallies. The weaknesses of the school include but are not
limited to: cluster groups by grade which limits the teachers and students, lack of parent
involvement, lack of resources due to funding, and a large focus on standardized testing.
There are specific ways to increase student test scores such as increasing attendance,
increasing parent involvement, increasing teacher morale, decreasing transiency, and increasing
teacher effectiveness.
Research from Penn State University states that student transiency is usually outside of
the control of the school district. However, school districts need to attempt to document student
movement and communicate effectively with parents. School districts, states, and regions should
document student transiency and the effects of it has on the students academic performance. In
order for progress to be accurately monitored, it is vital that student records are transferred to the
new school. Teachers must be aware of how the students performed academically at their other
school and how this will affect their academic performance at the new school. Teachers need to
be prepared to help these children in any way that they can. The teachers job is to ensure success
for all students (Poverty, housing insecurity).
The Center for Public Education believes that schools can easily increase parent
involvement through a few simple initiatives. Schools can offer workshops for parents where
they are trained to effectively help their child in reading and math. Providing resources to take
home with the students is another way to involve parents. Schools can also enable parents to
convey high expectations for their students and by sending home interactive homework

assignments that allow for collaboration between the students and parents. The article encourages
parents to be involved in other areas of their childs life besides school, which is very important
for young children (Back to School).
Research from Simply Better states that teachers need to challenge their students
throughout the class day and to create positive classroom environments. One way teachers can
create positive classroom environments is by simply developing a strong relationship with the
students in their class. Teachers must ensure that they are being intentional about their teaching.
Good teachers challenge their students by providing instruction that helps them develop critical
thinking skills. Highly effective teachers not only know what they are doing to support student
learning, but also how, when, and why they are doing it (Goodwin, 2011).
Research from the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development states that
there are four ways to increase teacher morale. The first way is to give teachers what they ask for
without doubting them. The next way is to make sure you are communicating and building
relationships with the teachers. The third way is to make sure you treat teachers like adults. Be
flexible with the teachers and dont question them about how they spend their time. Finally,
remember that morale is only a side effect. Make sure you are allowing teachers to make their
own decisions.
Tarrant Intermediate is aware of their low test scores, so they are taking initiative to make
data visible and include a multitude of test preparation in their teaching. The school improvement
plan includes increasing professional development, and implementing a heavy focus on math and
reading within the classroom.

References
Back to school: How parent involvement affects student achievement (At a glance). (n.d.).
Retrieved May 6, 2015 from http://www.centerforpubliceducation.org/
Goodwin, B. (2011). Simply Better. Association for Supervision & Curriculum Development.
Poverty, housing insecurity and student transiency in rural areas. (n.d.). Retrieved from
Penn State College of Education website: http://www.ed.psu.edu/crec/research/poverty
Improving School Attendance: A Resource Guide for Virginia Schools. (2005). Virginia
Department of Education, 1-44. Retrieved May 6, 2015 from
http://www.doe.virginia.gov/support/prevention/dropout_truancy/improving_school_atten
dance.pdf
Poverty, housing insecurity and student transiency in rural areas. (n.d.). Retrieved from Penn

State College of Education website: http://www.ed.psu.edu/crec/research/poverty

Strasser, D. (n.d). Membership. Retrieved May 7, 2015, from
http://www.ascd.org/publications/educational-leaderhship/feb14/vol71/num05/An-OpenLetter-On-Teacher- Morale.aspx

Trace Crossings Elementary School

Since 2010, Trace Crossings test scores have decreased. Their test scores are also
extremely low compared to other Hoover City Elementary Schools.
Some strengths and weaknesses of the school explain the low test scores. The strengths
include but are not limited to: access to technology, resource teachers, high diversity, good
community, opportunities for teachers to participate in professional development. The
weaknesses include but are not limited to: inconsistent teacher quality, poor reputation due to
rezoning, and decreasing test scores.
There are specific ways to increase student test scores such as improving ELL instruction,
increasing parent involvement, decreasing transiency, and increasing teacher effectiveness.
Research from Teachhub suggests that to improve ELL instruction the teacher should
integrate their home language, integrate their culture into the school, utilize peer support, and
pair them with other students (Park)

Research from Penn State University states that student transiency is usually outside of
the control of the school district. However, schools should use resources available to document
student movement and communicate with parents about this movement. School districts, states,
and regions should document student transiency and the effects of it has on the students. It is
very important that student records transfer efficiently so that the teachers are able to view the
students academic abilities and progress (Poverty, housing insecurity).
Research from The Virginia Department of Education states that schools can improve
attendance first by making students feel welcome. Students need to feel connected to the school
through the staff, environment, and culture of the school. The school should also have students
involved in extracurricular activities. Second, attendance can be increased through early
intervention by addressing issues as they are emerging. To do this, schools should provide
ongoing monitoring of the students and provide incentives for students to attend school
(Improving School Attendance: A Resource Guide for Virginia Schools, 2005).
Research from the Center for Public Education states that schools can increase parent
involvement by offering parent workshops where parents were trained in reading and math,
providing at home resources, enabling parents to convey high expectations for their students,
interactive homework assignments that bring together parents and children, and encouraging
parents to be involved in other areas of their childs life besides school (Back to School).
Research from Simply Better states that effective teachers challenge their students, create
positive classroom environments, and are intentional about their teaching. Good teachers
challenge their students by providing instruction that develops higher order thinking skills. One
way teachers can create positive classroom environments is by developing strong relationships

with students. Highly effective teachers not only know what they are doing to support student
learning, but also how, when, and why they are doing it (Goodwin, 2011).
Trace Crossings has developed a plan to increase their test scores. Their improvement
plans having teachers participate in professional development, increasing parent involvement
through the school year, and focusing on math and reading.

References
Back to school: How parent involvement affects student achievement (At a glance). (n.d.).
Retrieved May 6, 2015 from http://www.centerforpubliceducation.org/
Goodwin, B. (2011). Simply Better. Association for Supervision & Curriculum Development.
Poverty, housing insecurity and student transiency in rural areas. (n.d.). Retrieved from
Penn State College of Education website: http://www.ed.psu.edu/crec/research/poverty
Poverty, housing insecurity and student transiency in rural areas. (n.d.). Retrieved from Penn
State College of Education website: http://www.ed.psu.edu/crec/research/poverty

Dear Parents/Guardians of Trace Crossings Elementary School,

Today, we are releasing our 2011 test results. You will notice that more students struggled on this
years test than in previous years. We want you to know that we are aware of the decrease in
scores and are taking measures to increase test scores in the future years.
Following are the plans we have to improve our test scores for the next year:
Increased parent involvement
Increased opportunities for professional development for teachers
Increased small group instruction and accommodations for
individual learners
Early identification for struggling learners
As always we encourage parents to work with their children on math and reading every night.
Your involvement can really make a difference in your childs achievement. I want to make it
clear that the change in test scores does not reflect that the students are learning less or that
teachers are failing to teach the students. We are still adjusting to the rezoning of Hoover City
Schools, yet feel confident that this plan will produce more positive results in upcoming years.
We all have the same goal: for our children to be successful learners that are college and career
ready.
It is my pleasure to work with your children, daily.
Sincerely,
PLC 3

Dear Parents of Tarrant Intermediate School,

Today, we are releasing our 2011 test results. You will notice that more students improved on this
years test than in previous years. We are taking measures to continue to increase student
achievement in future years. We are so proud of our teachers and students.
The following are some measures we have put in place to help the increase our scores:
Increased parent involvement
Focus on math and reading
Increased small group instruction
Increased opportunities for professional development for teachers
We are prepared to make these changes and ask for your help in doing so. Please continue
working with your child on math and reading every night. Your involvement in your childs
education will make all of the difference. Thank you for your cooperation.
I enjoy working with your children each day.
Sincerely,
PLC 3