Pub. 3 2013-2014 Issue 1

10 Beyond High-Stake Testing Although the end of year as- sessment is important, it is not our main focus. For our school, student achievement goes beyond test scores and public acknowledgement. Two years ago we examined our data and noted that kindergarten through third grade students were not making progress in reading as we desired. As a school, we decided this would be an area of focus. Last year the school purchased an ipad lab for our lower grade students to use. The ipads are used to support reading instruction through applications and access to the Accelerated Reader program. This year we hired a reading specialist to work with students who were reading below grade level. The percentage of students reading below grade level has decreased from last year to this year and we expect this trend to continue. This is cause for celebration, but it is not something that those outside of the school will hear about, unlike school grades and UCAS scores. A first grade teacher summrizes the important factors of student achieve- ment. “I feel like the most important factor to student achievement is that each child feels like they are cared for and that each teacher is here to help their students achieve their full potential.  Watching my own kids, they know that their teachers care about them and have confidence in their ability.  This helps them to want to work hard and to achieve as best they can.  As a teacher, I also try my best to convey that to each student and I love seeing their growth and each success.” Susie Scherer joined the charter world nine years ago. Prior to that she taught elementary school in California. Susie is in her sixth year as School Director. Prior to being Director, she spent three years in the classroom and as the Special Education Director. Susie earned her BA at CSU Stanislaus in Elementary Education and MA in Special Education through Grand Canyon University. CONTINUED FROM PAGE 9