Katherine Brennan/Rogers School - Connecticut State Department ...

Hill Central School
School Improvement Grant – Section B: Descriptive Information
professional development and on-site coaching in effective teaching, learning and use of student
performance data. Each of these consultants will become an integral part of the school’s Redesign Team.
The proposed Turnaround Model, once fully established, will assist in creating an an environment where
every staff members know the needs, interests, aspirations of each child, builds positive relationships,
provides research-based instruction, monitors student progress, and provides the academic, social and/or
other supports needed for each student to succeed. We believe that this new model will assist in meeting
the identified needs of the students and provide them with the tools they need to be ready for high school
and beyond.
B1-d) District monitoring of the School Improvement Plans is comprehensive and is clearly
identified in the District Improvement Plan.
Basically, the design provides for monitoring each schools improvement plan through a variety of
mechanisms and processes. Each School establishes a Building Leadership Data Team which includes
the building principal, grade level and content area teachers, and department representation. This team is
responsible for creating and monitoring the School Improvement Plan in response to the District
Improvement Plan.
The Superintendent has communicated to all staff the expectations for establishing and utilizing School
Leadership Data Teams and Academic Data Teams. The District Data Team monitors and supports all
schools based data teams. Principals submit monthly BLDT Agendas and Minutes. District Data Team
members and additional Central Office Staff conduct on-site visits. District Data Teams conduct annual
assessment of Building Leader Data Teams as measured by BLDT Monitoring Rubric Professional
Development is provided for all principals regarding purpose, function and process of BLDT.
SIG will provide an opportunity for improvement in this area. The new Director of Instruction for
Turnaround / Transformational Schools will assist in reviewing the goals and requirements of the District
Improvement Plan and assist Hill Central in developing a more comprehensive School Improvement Plan
that is not only aligned to district requirements, but also to SIG requirements. The new director will also
provide greater oversight, with support from the school’s redesign team, to monitor the data team
processes at Hill Central.
B1-e) Results from external evaluations.
Cambridge completed a brief summary of Hill Central’s strengths and weaknesses. Although there was
some high quality teaching, primarily in the lower grades, there was insufficient check on the overall
quality of teaching and learning. There was little collaboration between the administration and the staff.
Science was an area of identified weakness. Cambridge has provided notes on this past year’s meetings
and progress. Cambridge will complete a more thorough evaluation of Hill Central as they continue their
leadership support at the school.
*See document (7) Cambridge summary report at end of section B
The new Director of Instruction for Turnaround / Transformational Schools will collaborate with
Cambridge, ACES, and other partners to better understand the purpose and significance of external
evaluations. He/she will also work with the Hill Central Leadership Team and the external consultants to
create a matrix of all internal and external observations, recommendation and expectations to better set
the course for meaningful and substantial improvement at Hill Central.