Parent Key Communicators

1. Dr. Timothy Mitchell Rapid City Area Schools 12-8-11 Parent Key Communicators

2. Tale of Two Cities-Charles Dicken's “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times” I believe in “possibility”-specifically the possibility that we could can create the best of times if we choose If we are willing to think carefully-be motivated as to what is best for children-have open honest and factual dialogue about the issues we are facing

3. Budget Proposal • Governor’s Proposed Budget is a positive given the limited resources • Funded Formula ($100.95 2.3 %)-Gave additional one-time money ($30.92 0.7 %) • Per Student Allocation Increase $34.67 0.8% • SD Investing in Teachers-8.4 Million 1.5% • Common Core/STEM/Career Development • Common Core/Evaluation

4. RCAS 2012-2013 Budget • Still a need to address Deficit • Released list of 40 ideas • Fiscally Responsible/Committed to Mission • Working to complete recommendation for 4.5 million GF Reduction Plan • Packaged w/Instructional Calendar Proposal

5. Guiding Question What must we have to provide a high quality education for all students of the RCAS?

6. Behavior Key-Act responsibly and inspire confidence without compromising authority

7. The Strategy • To become as Effective and Efficient as possible • To become as Innovative and Creative as possible • To guide a conversation to the determine the expectations for public schools-support ways to meet those expectations

8. John Hattie-Visible Learning Visible Learning synthesized the results of more than 15 years of research involving millions of students and it represents the biggest collection of evidenced-based research into what actually works in schools to improve learning.

9. John Hattie-Visible Learning One of the fascinating outcomes of research on school effects is the number of issues in education where achievement evidence is close to zero but the heat is as high as it is as if it would be if the policy were obviously effective.

10. The First Building Block All Kids Can Learn Activity Why do we exist? This question challenges us to reflect on the fundamental purpose and the very reason for our existence This question requires us to clarify priorities and gives us direction for our classrooms

11. The First Building Block On the activity sheet you will find descriptions of four schools that operate under very different assumptions. Even though the educators within these schools would contend that they believe “all kids can learn,” they would respond to students who are not learning in very different ways Please complete Activity

12. The First Building Block -The first school views failure to learn as an indication that the student lacks the ability or motivation to master content. Based on this assessment, the school offers a less rigorous program as a solution -The second school considers failure an important part of the learning process-students who do not put forth the necessary effort must be taught individual responsibility and they are allowed to fail

13. The First Building Block -The third school is prepared to accept responsibility for helping each student demonstrate some growth but is unwilling to establish high standards for all students. Here, too, the faculty members contend that they have little influence over the extent of an individual’s learning

14. The First Building Block Clearly then, it is only the fourth school in the activity that offers a viable, modern-day approach to students who are not learning

15. The First Building Block Significant finding: The most successful schools function as a professional learning community: Teachers pursue a clear shared purpose Engage in collaborative work Take collective responsibility for student learning

16. The First Building Block We expect our students to learn, and we work to fulfill our collective responsibility to ensure that this learning takes place for all students

17. Learning is Our Work The best way to improve a school or district is by developing the people within it!!

18. Instructional Calendar Proposal A bi-monthly early release time district-wide to enhance student learning by allowing teachers time to plan as teams, create common formative assessments and learning targets, do data charts to monitor student progress, create enrichment lessons and move forward any future district initiatives

19. Instructional Calendar Proposal • Reduction of Additional Pay and Temporary Staffing • Additional Time to implement district priorities • Transportation Savings • Less Substitutes and Higher Quality Contact Time • All staff could be involved with implementation • Improves the learning of all students • Builds collective capacity of the staff

20. What does the future hold? *Will student number continue to increase? *Will current cash balances remain stable? *Compensation/Benefits/Negotiations? *What will happen in the Legislative Session? *What will happen at the Federal level? *Will the efforts of SD Moving Forward be successful (Sales Tax Initiative)?

21. The Work Continues I will continue to review ideas that come forward Put together a Budget Reduction Plan to discuss with School Board and Public Attrition/Resignations/Retirements Budget Modifications-Under spending If any items are removed from the plan others will need to be brought forward

22. Next Steps Finalize the Administrative Recommendation Presentation to Budget and Finance Committee Presentation to School Board Presentation to Staff and Public • Tuesday January 10, 2012-West Middle School • Monday January 23, 2012-South Middle School • Monday January 30, 2012-Dakota Middle School • Tuesday February 7, 2012-North Middle School • Monday February 27, 2012-Southwest Middle School