Contract
for Excellence
GREATER AMSTERDAM SCHOOL DISTRICT
Contract for Excellence - Plan of Action
The following is the Greater Amsterdam School District's strategy for addressing achievement issues and needs under the Contract for Excellence.
New York State's commitment to offer additional resources is a great opportunity for the Greater Amsterdam School District to address the challenges faced by students from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade. The district's goal is to address immediate student achievement concerns while also planning for the future.
The Contract for Excellence includes the following four major initiatives:
The aim of the class size reduction initiative is to provide students with more individual attention to promote mastery of literacy skills across all content areas. With additional teachers, at-risk students (those with low scores in math and English Language Arts) will receive the help they need to learn and succeed.
New teachers will be hired and placed at Barkley Elementary, Marie Curie Institute, Wilbur Lynch Academy, Amsterdam High School.
At the elementary schools, the goal is to reduce class sizes to a maximum of 25 students. Currently, classes at the district's four elementary generally have between 25 and 30 students.
At Lynch Academy, the goal is to reduce class sizes to about 23 students, down from the average class size of about 25 students. (Lynch Academy received additional funds from the state. Read more.)
The high school is a school in need of improvement because of its low graduation rate and low student scores on the state tests in math and English Language Arts. To reduce class sizes and meet the needs of the target population, the Amsterdam school district plans to hire additional English and math teachers and coordinators for math/science and English/social studies programs, as well as special education teachers, guidance counselors, alternative education teachers, teacher aides, and a Jr. ROTC instructor.
At-risk students identified for the Alternative Education program will soon be able to take advantage of a work study component to help them make the connection between school and work. Students will attend class for half of the day and work the other half. This program would provide hands-on job training, as well as guidance and behavioral supports, in an effort to reduce the drop out rate and give students greater opportunities for future success.
Before- and after-school programs will be implemented in all district schools to support underachieving students. The focus of these after-school programs will be students with disabilities, those learning to speak English, and those who perform poorly on the state achievement tests.
Extended-day students will be given the opportunity for more individualized attention as well as the opportunity to work on Brain-Based Research software programs to enhance learning.
3. Teacher and principal quality initiative
Each school in the district will have mentors for the new professional staff members, and a district mentor coordinator will ensure that mentors are matched up with a new teacher or principal. This will provide opportunities for teachers to learn from each other, align and integrate curriculum, provide job embedded training to increase achievement for all students, but especially the target population.
4. Middle school and high school restructuring
A Curriculum Leadership Cabinet will be established to ensure that the district's curriculum matches New York State Education Department standards.
The cabinet will consist of administrators, content area coordinators and curriculum leaders at the high school level and a literacy coach from the middle school.
The Cabinet will meet once a month to review academic programs for rigor, relevance and relationships and help staff develop initiatives to improve instructional practices, especially for students at risk. The Cabinet will be the vehicle to communicate best practices, promote discussion of what works, and share ideas for instructional strategies. All of this will help promote student achievement in the area of English Language Arts and math.
Conclusion
These new initiative will provide for support systems for the district's most needy students, including those with disabilities, English language learners, and those from families with low incomes. These students have a more difficult time meeting state standards than other students.
The ultimate goal is to provide all students with the assistance and tools necessary to become successful learners and contributing members of society after graduation.
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