Superintendent's Desk for the week of April 17, 2017

The months of March and April signal SBAC (Smarter Balanced) time! Time for state testing for students throughout the state of Montana. In Dodson, we’ll try to keep in perspective that SBAC results are one of many ways to accurately assess student competency and skill levels in science, math, reading/writing, etc. Although…..those of us in education understand that the results of this particular assessment does have a more diverse widespread influence on schools at the “end of the day.”

In Dodson we have prepared aggressively for SBAC since September. First, our staff utilized previous SBAC data as well as diverse local assessments to thoroughly plan their instruction and interventions for each individual child and class. This was done to support academic growth in the core content areas and bring our kids to a higher level.

Secondly, our staff has spent a great deal of time self-educating themselves on the content of the SBAC assessments. Staff have consistently practiced this content with their students and have woven it in to their curriculum and teaching. (OH MY!.....SO YOU TEACH TO THE TEST??!.....Darn Right! Plenty of argument for it! Try me! :)…..and….we have picked up the in-tensity of practice on the SBAC content as testing has approached in March and now April.

Next, we added a seventh period alternating class period to our master schedule this year. This class targets grade levels with appropriate on going test preparation beginning in September and continuing throughout the school year. The younger elementary students for example are taught SBAC keyboarding and computer skills and gain familiarity early on with the dynamics of the tests they will be taking online. They also are shown and familiarized with specific test content that is made available to schools through SBAC.

In February as SBAC approaches, I personally sit down with each class and with each student and provide a brief explanation of Smarter Balanced testing. We talk about what’s in it for the state officials, the school officials, how teachers use the results and …..most importantly……what’s in it for them!! This is a very time consuming process, but throughout my career I have found it necessary and successful. We feel our kids try harder and are more focused because of this single preparation item.

As testing nears in March, we purchase tee shirts for all test takers and staff. These shirts are highly visible and worn by our students at various intervals of the SBAC window. Bumper stickers and wrist bands are also distributed with motivating communication. All of this adds to our students awareness of the importance of the SBAC to the school and to them.

We prefer to test throughout the entire March and April window. Our students, and people in general, do better in 1-1/2 hour a day segment vs. plopping a kid down all morning long and all afternoon long. We feel the shorter duration is better practice and puts our kids in a better position to succeed.

Finally, our kids are provided and made aware of worthwhile and legitimate built in incentives that await the classes, groups, and individuals that simply try hard, pass, and do exceptional on the tests. A cookie and a popsicle just won’t cut it these days. Ya gotta dangle some pretty good carrots as well to increase motivation and provide some incentive to pay attention and do well. Like it or not, many students are not going to put out the effort just because some authority figure thinks they should.

It’s SBAC time!! In Dodson……we’re ready. We’re prepared! We’ve been preparing since September. Our kids are working hard with Smarter Balanced as this goes to print.

Happy Testing Everyone! GO COYOTES!! :)