City of Methuen Annual Report: 2012

C i t y o f M e t h u e n A n n u a l R e p o r t : 2 0 1 2To improve MCAS scores and student growth percentage expectations, teachers and administratorsmust be provided training in the best instructional practices, and particularly in assessmentstrategies, both formative and summative. Research indicates that a well-planned, focused, andsustained professional development program that is connected to practice as well as to other schoolinitiatives is related to student achievement gains. Research also points to evidence thatcollaborative approaches to professional learning can promote school change that extends beyondindividual classrooms.The immediate professional development focus for 2013 will be refining how we address andincorporate the Common Core State Standards and completing the self-study documents regardingthe NEASC standards. Academically goal number one will be raising the academic achievement of allacademic levels, specifically low performing students and at risk English Language Learners.The professional development planned for the coming year will focus on the NEASC self-study as itrelates to the seven (7) standards set by NEASC. Concurrently the school staff will also devotesignificant profession development toward improving ELL teaching methods in an effort to raiseachievement of English Language Learners and raise test scores.With a diverse student enrollment, a key to school growth and success will be increasing parentinvolvement in the high school. Effective home/school communication is another key component ofenhancing achievement for all students. The school currently has two very active parent supportgroups—The Methuen Ranger Boosters Association (MRBA) and the Methuen Ranger Band ParentsAssociation – that serve as a good base for developing parent involvement. The school also utilizesthe Multi-Cultural Club as a means to building the communication base.As a result, several steps have been taken to build on parent involvement. An initiative to activelyaddress the needs of the school’s minority population has been in place for two (2) years. A studentsupport counselor is available to all students, including those who may feel more supported by abicultural service provider. She uses her fluent Spanish-language skills to work with students andparents as needed. Likewise, the in-house bilingual parent liaison has three (3) responsibilities,including offering ELL support to students in classrooms, providing outreach to parents regardingschool attendance and other issues, and acting as interpreter throughout the building. In addition tothese formal initiatives, the parent liaison has worked on translating many of the existing schooldocuments to improve parent communication and continue to provide translations as new mailingsand documents are developed. They also encourage minority parents to participate in School Councilmeetings and activities.Methuen High School teachers will continue to be encouraged to communicate frequently withparents, not only to discuss problems but also to report on student successes, using phone calls,notes, and emails. Moreover, the automated phone message system Connect Ed will be used tofurther enhance home/school communication.103