Goals to improve math, reading

Superintendent Dr. Rod Rock’s goals for the 2015-16 goals include increasing students? scores in reading and math.
Rock included the two goals for consideration by the Clarkston School Board in the boards agenda packet for the board to review.
The first goal is for running records, to encourage readers to grow in their ability to read and understand texts in increasingly complex levels.
Running Records is a data collection method used to collect information about students in October and November.
“Data in the form of a range of three text complexity levels, will be put into synergy at the Dec. 9 meeting,” Rock said. “High frequency word scores will also be out in this time.”
Board members Susan Boatman and Craig Hamilton asked what “high frequency” words meant, and how the superintendent’s goals would be evaluated.
The board agreed to continue the discussion and the superintendent’s evaluation at a later board meeting.
Rock’s second goal was for fifth grade math assessment, which will be evaluated September 2015 through June 2016.
The goal is for mathematicians to ‘grow in their skills and understanding of mathematical application.?
Board members also expressed concern about M-STEP scores from the state, which will be released later.
The goal of the Math Assessment is to increase overall math scores by three percent.
Fifth grade end of year math assessment data has been collected for 2014-2015 and showed a district average of 57 percent.
“Students will complete 2015-2016 End of Year Math assessment in May 2016, and our goal will be to have a district average of 60 percent,” Rock said.
Board members are exploring ways to evaluate Rock and his performance.
More information will be discussed during Rock’s evaluation in December.