Leadership

Leadership Draft: Improving Test Scores In South Carolina

 

      Historically, South Carolina has ranked at the bottom of the nation when it comes to test scores of its K-12 students. Raising test scores is critical to the State of South Carolina (SC). if we want better for our state. Low test scores can have a huge impact on the economy of our State. Education is one criterion companies review when deciding if they will locate their company in SC. They also help predict the type of workforce SC will have in the future. According to “Boosting Test Scores: Principal Strategies that Work,”, there are several initiatives that have raised scores. These include:

• Limiting class sizes

• Tutoring

• Giving rewards and incentives to teachers and students

• Working as a team and evaluating the curriculum across the school

Goal:

As a future elementary educator, my goal is to increase test scores through the development of a mentoring program for K-12 students. Mentoring had an important role in my experience at USC Sumter. I will build upon what I have learned from participating in several mentoring programs at USC Sumter to develop the program.

Implementation:

1. Discuss the idea of a mentoring program with my lead teacher and principal.

2. After receiving the support of the principal, I will take the idea to the PTA. It is critical to the success of the program to have the backing of the parents.

3. Secure mentors from the PTA and Corporate Partner, Catepillar after the information meeting.

4. Pair the mentors with each student in my first grade class.

5. Introduce mentors to the students at an ice cream party.

6. The mentors and students will meet twice a week for a hour. During this time they will work on reading and math.

7. Check-in with the mentors on a regular basis to see how things are going and if they need anything.

8. Continue afternoon tutoring and the free pizza party initiatives started last year.

Assessment:

At the end of the school year, the mentoring program will be evaluated by comparing test scores to the previous year and surveying the mentors and parents about how their students did in the program. If test scores rise over 5 points and the surveys come back with positive comments we will consider the first year of the Eagles Mentoring Program a success. After the first year of the Eagles Mentoring Program in my class, it will be implemented in the other first grade classes. In year three, an article on the Eagles Mentoring Program will be submitted to an educational journal. It will also be presented at professional conferences.

Summary:

 My goal as an elementary educator is to make sure that all students’ test scores are raised. Decreasing class sizes or giving tutoring to students is something that should be done in order that should be done in order to see an increase in test scores.  In changing the culture for students toward this goal, students will receive rewards through The Eagle's Mentoring Program. Success is what I want to see as an educator making sure students are prepared to take on any challenge in the classroom or workforce. In this Eagle Mentoring Program, a difference may be made to cause all test scores to increase.

 

 

References: “Boosting Test Scores: ‘Principal’ Strategies That Work.” Boosting Test Scores: Strategies That Work | Education World, https://www.educationworld.com/a_admin/admin/admin366.shtml.