Indian Hills Jr. High Review of Science scores West Des Moines Schools

1 early childhood center 8 elementary schools 2 jr. high schools 3 high schools (Valley, Southwoods, Walnut Creek)

West Moines Schools West Des Moines Schools Enrollment by ethnic group 85.6 %White 4% African American 4.7% Asian 5.5% Hispanic

Indian Hills Jr. High Our goal is to discuss critical thinking and to identify some specific strategies to strengthen critical thinking in the classroom.

Building Goals in Science Grade 8 will increase the percentage of students above the 90 th percentile in Science High Proficiency from the previous year

Building Goals in Science Cohort data from 7 th -8 th grade shows improvement. ‘08-’09 scores up 5.4%

Building Goals in Science The 8 th grade class will grow at least 1.2 years (NGE) in Science from 7 th grade (cohort) th grade NGE= th grade NGE= 11.9 NGE growth of 1.9

Student Achievement Goals 90% of the students in grades 1-8 will reach the benchmarks for Science. Refer to handout.

Indian Hills 8 th grade Science Year studentsNPR Low Int. High **Low 1-40Int High 90-99

Trends in Data Males tend to score lower in 7 th grade than females. Percent proficiency increases more in males than females in 8 th grade.

Male – Female Data Male Students ‘06-’ increase ‘07-’ decrease ‘08-’ increase Female Students ‘06-’ increase ‘07-’ decrease ‘08-’ change

Male – Female Data

Percent Proficient Data Students scoring above the 40 th percentile has dropped the past 2 years % increase % increase % increase % decrease % decrease

Percent Proficient Data

Shared Vision The West Des Moines Community School District will be a caring community of learners that knows and lifts every child. We will inspire joy in learning. Our schools will excel at preparing each student for his or her life journey.

District Goals Using the Mission Statement as our foundation and the Guiding Principles to inform our actions, the district will work towards the realization of the Shared Vision by accomplishing the following goals set forth by the Board of Education. 1. Close the gap between present practices and the Shared Vision. 2. Improve student achievement through effective instructional and assessment practices.

Questions???