Superintendent of Perry Township Schools
The great state of Indiana is celebrating 200 years of history. We appreciate all our staff has done throughout the year to commemorate the occasion.
One of the ways the Indiana Department of Education decided to celebrate our bicentennial was to recognize 200 schools that exemplify a promising practice. The department defines a promising practice as an effort that meets the following criteria:
• Exhibits student-centeredness and inclusiveness
• Impacts student growth and/or performance and closes gaps for specific subgroups.
• Impacts the climate and culture of the school.
• Sets high expectations within the school community.
• Showcases innovation.
• Provides equality for all students.
• Considers wrap-around support systems for students.
• Provides evidence that the practice has positively impacted. students.
Of the 200 schools honored across Indiana, Perry Township is proud that two of its schools – Southport Elementary and Southport High – were recognized.
Southport Elementary was honored for its implementation of TAP, the system for teacher and student achievement. Each week dedicated teachers participate in professional development meetings led by master and mentor teachers. During these sessions the master and mentor teachers train their colleagues regarding strategies to address specific student needs over a period of eight to twelve weeks.
The work doesn’t end once the meeting ends. The master and mentor teachers regularly accompany the teachers in their classroom so they can observe, co-teach or model teach the strategy that was taught in the meeting.
Using a specific measurement scale, teachers are asked to reflect on their individual growth and measure how they and their students progressed.
Since implementation of TAP, our student achievement has been impacted in the following ways:
• 2013-14 ISTEP+ Language Arts Achievement.
• Overall school results: 84.2 percent passing.
• English learners achievement: increased 20 percent over three years.
• Special education achievement tied general education results.
• 2013-14 ISTEP math achievement.
• English learner achievement rose 20 percent over three years.
• Special education results: 82 percent passing
• Nearyly 35 percent of Perry students scored in the highest passing range, which is called Pass+.
Southport High was recognized for ensuring its 21st Century Scholars meet all of the requirements to be eligible for undergraduate tuition at any participating public college in Indiana. The counseling department spends countless hours working with students and parents to ensure students meet grade point average requirements and other criteria, including:
• Enrollment in the seventh or eighth grade at an accredited public, charter, freeway or other school. Children in foster care may apply after the eighth grade.
• Meet household income guidelines identical to the National School Lunch Program.
• Graduate from high school with a minimum of a core 40 diploma and a cumulative gpa of at least 2.5.
• Apply to an eligible Indiana college as a senior and enroll as a full-time student within one year of high school graduation.
Using the 21st Century Scholars’ website, the staff tracks students’ grades and activities. We’re thrilled to report that 96 percent of our graduating scholars qualified to receive the scholarship. We continue to work toward 100 percent of our students meeting the requirements and goals.
We appreciate all of our schools that go above and beyond to help students and staff strive for excellence.