Targeting and Addressing a Need

When looking at the AEIS data report, there were two identified areas of weakness as noted in the Week 2 assignment. When focusing my attention on one specific goal that impacts accountability ratings, I have chosen to dig more deeply into the mathematics portion of the exam. The 8^th grade African American students, in particular, had an 83% passing rate on the mathematics section of the TAKS. They also scored an 83% on the science section. My thought is that if we can collectively bring up the mathematics rating for this demographic to 90%, then the science should follow because a huge portion of the science exam is mathematics – chemistry, measurement, graphs and chart reading, and force and motion. My campus earned a recognized rating this year which has dropped from the past two years where we have been exemplary. It is my belief that if we improve the scoring for this demographic area, we will not only improve our accountability rating, but we will also be equipping students with the skills necessary to succeed in high school mathematics as well.  

S.M.A.R.T. Goal (long range/3-5 years): By 2015, school X will earn an exemplary rating.

S.M.A.R.T. Objective (What we can accomplish in one school year): By the end of the 2012 school year, 90% of all demographic groups in the 8th grade, including the African American population, will meet or surpass the state standard on the TAKS Math.