Academics

A focus on developing Future Ready Learners has continued to be a goal for our students, and can be observed through our focus on integrating technology and developing instructional opportunities that focus on student led instruction, problem solving skills, and cooperative learning.  

The district curriculum team offers multiple collaboratives for teachers to participate in as part of an ongoing professional development opportunity. At the campus level, we meet collaboratively as a campus team and in grade level teams to ensure that staff and students are provided various strategies for instruction based on the campus trends for needs. campus PLCs (Professional Learning Community) met bi-weekly to analyze data and create campus-wide strategies for instruction. We invited math and science teachers from other campuses to join us to allow staff to have collaborative conversations. Staff have completed more that 30 hours each of professional development.
 

At Memorial Elementary, our focus is student progress. We review data on campus assessments, district assessments, and state assessments after each administration. Teachers use the data to set student performance and personal professional goals for the school year. We determine any needs for adjustment in our schedules, intervention programs, or instruction. Teachers monitor the progress of all students, especially those identified by our intervention team as at-risk and in need of RtI support. Parents are notified if their student has been identified as a student in need of support and the intervention support that is being offered.

Students are assessed using the following tools:

• STAAR current and longitudinal results, including all versions
• STAAR Emergent Bilingual (EB) progress measure data
• Texas Primary Reading Inventory (TPRI), Tejas LEE, or other alternate early reading assessment results Local diagnostic reading assessment data
• Local benchmark or common assessments data
• Running Records results
• Istation Indicators of Progress (ISIP) reading assessment data for Grades PK-2
• Grades that measure student performance based on the TEKS

Students are assessed with campus and district level benchmarks to ensure progress towards the grade level knowledge and skills. This district provides pre and post assessments for math and science. We began administering interim assessments in reading. These assessments are analyzed to determine continued needs for student learning and professional development needs for staff. Data analysis can be found in the student learning portion of the needs assessment. At the end of the school year, we administered MAPS reading and math to all K-5 students and will be learning to use this data for planning. Focus on data and RtI progress will allow our students and staff to make progress each year. Pre assessments need to be better utilized when planning to ensure maximized learning time for all students. 
 

Teachers implement iPads through the use of the Learning Management System (LMS).  All students access the LMS on their iPads and are able to submit assignments and complete assessments through these systems.  Through the use of the LMS and supplemental apps, teachers are able to see students' learning in real time and provide timely feedback.  iPads are also used as a vehicle to enhance and extend students' learning.  The ultimate goal of this technology integration is to promote College and Career Readiness through "real world" skills and interactions.