Haskin 3rd Grade Reading TCAP Results Show Huge Growth!
On Wednesday May 9th the Colorado Department of Education released 2012 third grade TCAP reading scores and Haskin Elementary School posted a 35% increase in proficient and advanced performance over 2011 results. This significant growth comes only two years into implementation of a 3 year, $550,000 per year federal school turnaround grant that has supported systemic change in the school of approximately 300 students.
As do most schools identified for turnaround, Haskin faces steep demographic challenges including a 96% poverty rate, a 50% English language learner population, and a 30% migrant population. After scoring only 28% proficient or advanced in 2010, the school’s 2012 result landed 3rd grade reading performance at 76% proficient or advanced: 2% higher than the state average.
This rapid increase in performance can be credited to the outstanding transformation plan developed in the spring of 2010 by the Haskin Elementary transformation team led by director of instruction Lori Cooper and principal Kathy Kulp, and including 1st grade teacher Theresa Gallegos, then 2nd grade teacher Melissa Garcia and 5th grade teacher Honey Stecken. After identifying the school’s struggles in building a solid curriculum aligned to state standards, the lack of a cohesive way for teachers to instruct literacy, and the need for leadership training to support such needs, the transformation team made the decision to partner with education providers Lindamood-Bell and Focal Point.
Lindamood-Bell has provided Haskin with comprehensive training for all teachers and support staff members in reading intervention strategies and whole class reading instruction. Focal Point contributed a K-5 curriculum aligned to Colorado standards and intensive administrator training in classroom supervision and instructional feedback techniques.
As do most schools identified for turnaround, Haskin faces steep demographic challenges including a 96% poverty rate, a 50% English language learner population, and a 30% migrant population. After scoring only 28% proficient or advanced in 2010, the school’s 2012 result landed 3rd grade reading performance at 76% proficient or advanced: 2% higher than the state average.
This rapid increase in performance can be credited to the outstanding transformation plan developed in the spring of 2010 by the Haskin Elementary transformation team led by director of instruction Lori Cooper and principal Kathy Kulp, and including 1st grade teacher Theresa Gallegos, then 2nd grade teacher Melissa Garcia and 5th grade teacher Honey Stecken. After identifying the school’s struggles in building a solid curriculum aligned to state standards, the lack of a cohesive way for teachers to instruct literacy, and the need for leadership training to support such needs, the transformation team made the decision to partner with education providers Lindamood-Bell and Focal Point.
Lindamood-Bell has provided Haskin with comprehensive training for all teachers and support staff members in reading intervention strategies and whole class reading instruction. Focal Point contributed a K-5 curriculum aligned to Colorado standards and intensive administrator training in classroom supervision and instructional feedback techniques.
2012 3rd grade results were shared with the Haskin Elementary instructional staff at a recent special staff meeting. Third grade teachers Meagan Long, Christa Seitz and Christine Mikeljack were the center of attention, but staff members also recognized each others efforts for work accomplished in the earlier grade levels and through intense Lindamood-Bell interventions taught by everyone from regular classroom, music, and PE teachers to paraprofessionals, secretaries and substitute teachers who work in the building. When the results were announced Paul Worthington, Lindamood-Bell’s director of professional development attending via an internet video connection, said Haskin’s 2012 results were “Better than Bessemer,” in reference to reading growth shown by Pueblo’s Bessemer Elementary School from 1997 through 1999 that garnered national attention. Lindamood-Bell led Bessemer’s improvement efforts during that time period. Bessemer's improvement was sustained for 7 years but has since declined significantly as the Pueblo City School District turned to different reading process providers.
Dr. Andrea Kutinsky, Director of Focal Point, said “It’s clear to us that the staff and administration of Haskin Elementary School has taken to heart the training and resources they have been offered and have applied them through hard work and determination.” Focal Point, a company established in part by Harisson School District superintendent, soon to be Dallas Public Schools superintendent Mike Miles, does similar work all over Colorado and in several other states.
Haskin’s principal Kathy Kulp credited the knowledge and support of the school’s partners and the hard work exhibited by staff members for the sharp increase in 2012 3rd grade reading results. “What is really exciting,” she added, “is that our local benchmark assessments are showing significant increases in achievement just like this in all subjects and at all grade levels measured. Because of this we truly look forward to the release of the rest of our 2012 TCAP results in late July”
Having been a major participant in the recent Lobato v Colorado landmark education finance lawsuit, I think the results we are achieving are a real life indication that a significant infusion of dollars, spent wisely in targeted areas, can produce the kinds of results the state has striven for through the education system it has designed. Without the training and resource opportunities that were afforded to us through our turnaround grant we would probably still be where we were in 2010 when only 28% of our third graders could read at grade level. Our challenge moving forward will be to secure the resources needed to maintain the gains we have achieved, and to be sure this type of growth occurs across all grade levels.
Dr. Andrea Kutinsky, Director of Focal Point, said “It’s clear to us that the staff and administration of Haskin Elementary School has taken to heart the training and resources they have been offered and have applied them through hard work and determination.” Focal Point, a company established in part by Harisson School District superintendent, soon to be Dallas Public Schools superintendent Mike Miles, does similar work all over Colorado and in several other states.
Haskin’s principal Kathy Kulp credited the knowledge and support of the school’s partners and the hard work exhibited by staff members for the sharp increase in 2012 3rd grade reading results. “What is really exciting,” she added, “is that our local benchmark assessments are showing significant increases in achievement just like this in all subjects and at all grade levels measured. Because of this we truly look forward to the release of the rest of our 2012 TCAP results in late July”
Having been a major participant in the recent Lobato v Colorado landmark education finance lawsuit, I think the results we are achieving are a real life indication that a significant infusion of dollars, spent wisely in targeted areas, can produce the kinds of results the state has striven for through the education system it has designed. Without the training and resource opportunities that were afforded to us through our turnaround grant we would probably still be where we were in 2010 when only 28% of our third graders could read at grade level. Our challenge moving forward will be to secure the resources needed to maintain the gains we have achieved, and to be sure this type of growth occurs across all grade levels.