2001 SACS Visitation Committee Recommendations-Executive Summary
Batesburg-LeesvilleHigh School is dedicated to its mission of preparing our students to be “a cut above the rest in academics, the arts, athletics, and responsible citizenship.” To accomplish this mission, a partnership of students, faculty, parents, and community must recognize students from all cultural backgrounds as valued, unique individuals who are capable of and have a responsibility to learn. It is believed that this learning should take place in a positive, supportive, individualized, and safe school environment. Students are encouraged to choose excellence as they develop life-long learning skills, including academic, social, technical, and employability skills.
Since 2001, in our efforts to improve, Batesburg-LeesvilleHigh School has focused upon three areas of desired results for student learning: Learning to Learn Skills, Communication Skills, and Thinking and Reasoning Skills. From these areas of focus, general goals were defined, with action steps determined to meet those goals. Each year the faculty, the School Improvement Council, and the Community Liaison Committee have recommended specific strategies for improvement. In 2001 our Absolute rating on the report card was “Good” and our Improvement rating was “Unsatisfactory.” By the fall of 2004 BLHS had drastically improved its ratings on the State of South Carolina Report Card to an Absolute rating of “Excellent” and an Improvement rating of “Excellent”, proof positive that we are on the right course!
In 2002, the Five-Year Visiting SACS committee provided twenty-one commendations and fourteen recommendations for improvement. Batesburg-LeesvilleHigh School has adhered to the recommendations of the 2001 visiting team summary report in the following manner:
Recommendation #1- Strong encouragement by the SACS visitation committee was given for the school and district’s pursuit of an employability diploma for qualified, low-performing students. The Lexington County School District Three Employability Program was established in the fall of 2001, graduating 1 in the class of 2002, 12 in 2003, and 9 in 2004. In light of the requirements of the No Child Left Behind requirements, however, the Employability Program was eliminated as of 2004.
Recommendation #2- Continuous efforts need to be made to increase parental involvement. The school has made tremendous strides in increasing parental involvement. Typical activities now include: two Open Houses, a class scheduling information night, academic and athletic awards programs, various choral and band performances, numerous teacher newsletters and progress reports, required parent signatures on tests, and inviting parents to serve as classroom speakers and chaperones. Parents were also invited to meet with their students and teachers during academic assistance period to understand course requirements, grades, etc. The School Improvement Council includes now 4 parents; the Community Liaison Committee, 5; and three Booster Clubs (Athletic, Band, and Chorus) have over 200 active members. Five parents were also involved with our strategic planning during the summer 2004.
Recommendation #3- The rigor in all academic areas should be increased. All departments have planned collaboratively in implementing the state standards to raise academic expectations. Departmental end-of-course exams and benchmark tests have been developed to assess the effectiveness of instruction. The criteria for success in honors level courses, in particular, have been raised. The introduction of the MAPS testing four times a year has enabled student, parents and teachers to identify progress and areas of improvement as students prepare for the State of South Carolina HSAP test. Technology, such as Geometer’s Sketchpad, graphing calculators, and laptop computers has permitted more problem-solving activities. Critical-thinking skills have become an essential element in many classes.
Recommendation #4- Additional guidance staff is needed to improve career guidance opportunities. A part-time guidance counselor has been hired to assist the director, thus increasing the amount of time that is spent in career guidance. The counselors and the school-to-work coordinator collaborate in these efforts. The percentage of students participating in various School-to-Work work-based activities is now approximately 50% of the student body. In addition, the CARES program, the CATE and Tech Prep classes include career components in their curriculum.
Recommendation #5- Security needs to be increased through an upgrade of phone and camera systems. A new phone system has been installed, with each teacher having a phone in the classroom. Cameras are situated in various locations throughout the campus. Administrators have cell phones and radios. Additional upgraded cameras are, however, needed for the security of our school.
Recommendation #6- A covered walkway between the main buildings and the Fine Arts Center and gymnasium is needed. Funds, as of this time, have not been allocated for a covered walkway.
Recommendation #7- Collaboration is needed between the landscaping program and district maintenance for upkeep and improvement of school grounds and athletic fields as well as lab opportunities for students. Agricultural students have completed several projects that have improved the appearance of the grounds. Landscaping has been provided around the Fine Arts Center and the new wing. New equipment has been purchased to keep the grounds in better condition.
Recommendation #8- Establish a means of securing and retaining quality substitute teachers. Substitutes now receive a $5.00/day increase in salary for attending the substitute training conducted by the district. In addition, substitutes are now required attend district training prior to being placed on the substitute list.
Recommendation #9- Provide additional parking for buses and faculty. No additional parking has been provided. Plans are being considered to provide additional parking for visitors in the future.
Recommendation #10- Additional custodial help is needed. Although no additional custodians have been hired, the district has hired a custodial management firm to train custodians, provide new and better equipment, and monitor the level of cleaning.
Recommendation #11- The historic buildings on campus need to refurbished or demolished. The Superintendent and School board are currently looking at this issue. Architects have studied the feasibility of refurbishment or the demolition of these buildings.
Recommendation #12- More specific data should be used to develop goals and objectives. Faculty surveys are now conducted to measure progress on our Action Plans. Test scores from BSAP, PSAT, PLAN, ACT, EOCEP, MAPS, and Gates-MacGinitie are analyzed to develop strategies for improvement. Data is also reviewed from the School Report Card and the state climate surveys. The faculty, staff, and SIC are provided and used this information to make instructional decisions.
Recommendation #13- Better define goals and objectives in order that the objectives will be more reasonably measured in quantitative statistical terms. Strategic planning took place in the summer of 2004 under the guidance of our new superintendent. Goals and action plans were rewritten, based upon recommendation # 12 above, to be more focused and effective.
Recommendation #14- There needs to be continued efforts to involve more students, parents, and community representatives in the entire planning process. Steps have been taken to ensure this will happen. All groups were represented during the district strategic planning and now serve on the SIC.
StrategicPlan Participants
2004
Administrators
Pat Padgett
Ross Cary
Gary Phillips
Carol Stout
Teaching Staff
Lisa Allison
Sara Burton
Linda Cooper
Michael Edwards
Guidance Department
Terry Fellers
Dot Minick
Head of Maintenance
Steve Greeson
Community Members
Liz Smith
Students
Amber Cary
Emily Dunn
Brittney Kirkland
Parents
Rev. Allen Ancrum
Rev. Jeffrey Cannon
Mrs. Linda Dachenhaus
Mrs. Meg Grime
Mr. Joey Rivers
Contents
2001 SACS Visitation Committee Recommendations-
Executive Summary...... 3
Strategic Plan Participants…………………………………………..6
Batesburg-LeesvilleHigh SchoolMission Statement………………8
Batesburg-LeesvilleHigh School Beliefs Statement…….…………9
Batesburg-LeesvilleHigh School Goals, 2004-2009……………….10
Batesburg-LeesvilleHigh School Action Plans…………………….11
Batesburg-LeesvilleHigh School
Beliefs Statement
Our Staff Believes:
- All students are valued and shall be respected as unique individuals.
- The foundation for unlimited learning is critical reading and thinking.
- Education should be relevant and applicable to real-life experiences.
- High school students should develop life-long learning skills to include academic, social, technical, and employability skills.
- Parents/guardians, educators, students and community members must be active partners in a successful educational process.
- Every student can and is expected to learn.
- All individuals should demonstrate respect and dignity toward students, staff, faculty, and themselves.
- Learning is enhanced in a positive, supportive, nurturing, appropriate, and safe school environment.
- Staff development must be an ongoing collaborative process using research-based practices in establishing academic excellence.
Batesburg-LeesvilleHigh School
Goals
2004-2009
- We will prepare all students for post secondary education, either college or technical school, by providing an appropriate academic foundation.
- We will prepare all students for the workplace by providing appropriate career foundations and skills.
- We will improve instruction by appropriately training and evaluating teachers, staff and administrators.
- We will prepare all students, teachers, staff and administrators for the continually changing workplace by providing opportunities to learn and apply 21st Century technology.
- We will make instructional decisions based upon appropriate data and proven educational research.
- We will encourage the active involvement of students, teachers, staff, administrators, parents/guardians and the community through effective communication.
- We will provide an attractive, safe and orderly school environment in order to promote learning.
- We will provide students, teachers, and staff with opportunities that promote respect, pride and teamwork.
Batesburg-LeesvilleHigh School
Strategic Plan
Action Plans
2004-2009
I. Goal One Action Plans: We willprepare students for post secondary education, either college or technical school, by providing an appropriate academic foundation.
- To ensure that students are reading on a level that is at or above each student’s assigned grade level, the principal and faculty will develop critical reading programs. The District will work with teachers to select appropriate materials for each grade level that promotes critical reading and phonics instruction. A common instruction methodology will be used to help students transition from grade to grade. Reading within the curriculum will be emphasized.
Status: (Spring 2004) In the spring teachers and principals from our school met with District Office (DO) Staff to select textbooks and materials for all grade levels. A discussion of the methodologies to be used for reading was held. Specific strategies for teachers to use for developing critical reading and writing skills at each level were developed. Students from all grades participated in a BLHS Book Club that read books to children in the primary school several times. In the Cares program, HSAP assistance class, and some 9th grade classes students are using a high interest reading series to encourage students to read. It has proven quite successful. Cares and 9th grade classes are using the “We All Can Read” phonics instruction series. All teachers are emphasizing reading skills within their academic discipline.
- To ensure that all students taking such tests as ACT, ASSET, ASVAB or SAT are successful, Batesburg-Leesville High School will provide ACT and SAT training for all students by implementing a comprehensive preparation program that involves daily preparation in all classes based upon appropriate materials, such as Barrons SATI and Hot Words for the SAT, promoting students taking the most difficult classes possible, and offering a one day workshop to juniors on the nature of the SAT test.
Status: Every class is started with an ACT, SAT, or HSAP preparation question. The “Hot Word of the Week” emphasizes a word that students can receive a prize for it they answer the question correct. An ACT/SAT preparation class is available for all students.
- To ensure that all students who have academic or behavioral difficulty succeed, Batesburg-LeesvilleHigh School will continue to provide effective academic assistance and remedial programs. Status: Ongoing. Currently the high school provides an academic assistance period before school, HSAP Assistance classes and a CARES academic remediation program. Those students who fail Math Tech 1 or 2 are placed in a second semester HSAP assistance course.
- To ensure that 9th graders who are not prepared to be successful have the opportunity to achieve mastery of state standards, the CARES program has been developed.
Status: The CARES program was implemented in the fall, 2002. CARES served 28 students in 2003-04. Of those, 12 were promoted to the 10th grade and 16 were retained; however, of the ones retained, 8 earned at least four credits. Twenty-nine students have been registered for CARES, 2004-05.
- To assist students to improve their writing and oral presentation skills, all teachers will include activities to address these areas in the curriculum for all courses.
Status: The principal and the instructional coordinator review regularly samples of such activities that are kept in teacher notebooks. The new SAT writing portion of the SAT has been taught and practiced in all English, Social Studies, and ACT classes. Oral presentations have been observed in the Fall of 2004 by the Principal and Assistant Principal
- An ACT/SAT course will be taught which will include developing test-taking skills.
Status: 47 students took the ACT/SAT preparation class in the fall of 2004. 100% showed an increase in their scores. All teachers included some type of test-taking activities in daily lessons. SAT scores rose 72 points for Seniors in 2004!
II.Goal Two Action Plans: We will prepare all students for the workplace by providing appropriate career foundations and skills.
- To improve high school students’ transition into the workforce following graduation, Batesburg-LeesvilleHigh School will adopt and implement Career Clusters by the 2006-2007 school year. Status: Mr. Pat Padgett and Mr. Walter Hallman, in conjunction with faculty members, District Office staff, and members of the business community, during the 2005-2006 school year, will complete planning for the transition to this academic model.
- An Occupational Fair will be held in an effort to help students better prepare and plan for potential career fields.
Status: CATE and STW conducted the occupational fair. Enrollment in occupational classes remains high. CATE faculty members set up exhibitions at the 8th grade parent orientation night. The Occupational Fair will be repeated next year.
III. Goal Three Action Plans: We will improve instruction by appropriately training and evaluating teachers, staff and administrators.
a. To allow vertical teaming within and between schools, the District will implement a District calendar that provides common planning time for teachers and teacher work days at the end of each nine week grading period. Teachers will participate in seminars, workshops and in-service training for professional enrichment on a regular basis.
Status: A new District calendar providing common planning time, teacher work days, and in-service days at appropriate intervals has been adopted for the school year 2004-2005. Teacher met in the fall to work on MAPS data, standards in the classroom, use of technology. Interdisciplinary planning of units was successful.
b. To ensure that all state standards are being taught, each faculty member will be knowledgeable of state and national standards and annual revisions in standards related to their academic areas and department. They will ensure that all students are fully aware of all state standards for their academic area.
Status: In end of course exam classes, a copy of the state standards are sent home. In all other courses, an abbreviated form of the standards is sent home.In 9th grade math and English classes, as of the fall 2004, teachers are using MAP assessment data to evaluate and adapt instruction.
c. To provide teachers with rapid and timely data to make instructional decisions, diagnostic software used to determine student mastery of state standards will be purchased and training will be provided to teachers of core courses.
Status: MAP software to evaluate math and English standards has been purchased in the summer of 2004. Training of teachers took place in August of 2004.
d. To improve the ability of teachers to work with students of different academic abilities, teachers will be provided training in differentiated instruction.
Status: Teachers, during a common planning time, read articles on differentiated instruction and discussed its potential. Training will take place in 2005-2006.
IV.Goal Four Action Plans: We will prepare all students, teachers, staff and administrators for the continually changing workplace by providing opportunities to learn and apply 21st Century technology.
a. To ensure that all teachers, staff and administrators are able to use 21st Century technology in the classroom, they will be trained to implement the use of appropriate computer hardware and software. In addition, each teacher will maintain an up to date teacher web site.
Status: Many teachers have completed the Intel computer instruction training. Integrade Pro instruction in grading software took place in December. Some teachers use United Streaming technology to show video clips via the internet. Teachers have received an introduction and orientation on creating teacher web sites.
b. To ensure that all teachers, staff, administrators, and students are able to use 21st Century technology in the classroom, a technology needs assessment will be conducted within each department to develop a school-based, technology plan, based upon prioritized equipment needs, training needs, and estimated costs. School technology plans will be revised annually.