Choosing a High School Academic Assessment

The 2017-2018 school year has brought forth many changes in the world of standardized testing at the high school level.  The junior class will no longer take the state assessment, that test has been moved to the sophomore class.  The biggest change, however, comes with the fact that local school districts now have the power to choose which test to administer.  The language from the North Dakota Department of Public Instruction (ND DPI) is as follows:

“The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA, 2015) provides new flexibility for states with respect to high school assessments.  Section 1111(b)(2)(H) of ESSA allows a Local Education Agency (LEA) to administer a locally selected, nationally recognized assessment in lieu of the state test for high school if the LEA selects an assessment that has been approved by the state”

The ND DPI has approved the following assessments to measure academic progress, the North Dakota State Assessment which is given to sophomores, and the ACT which is already given to all juniors in the state of North Dakota.

On the recommendation from the North Dakota Council of Educational Leaders (NDCEL) New Salem-Almont Public Schools has chosen to use the North Dakota State Assessment.  The recommendation from NDCEL was based on the following factors:

·      The inability of ACT to measure growth

·      It has never been used to measure accountability

·      Restricted accommodations; determined by ACT, not locally

·      Measures college entrance; not Choice Ready

·      Changes focus from student centered to measurement of school quality

·      Three year commitment does not allow for changing mind

This means students at New Salem-Almont High will be given the following assessments in respective grades.

            7^th Grade – STAR, MAP, NDSA

            8^th Grade – STAR, MAP, NDSA

            9^th Grade – no standardized assessment

            10^th Grade – NDSA, PSAT

            11^th Grade – ACT

            12^th Grade – no standardized assessment

Please feel free to contact the school office with any questions, 843-7610.

Online Presence and Responsibility

The world our students are growing up in today is vastly different from the one you and I experienced.  With the constant pressures of academics, extra curricular activities, and non-school related activities our students sometimes feel as though they are stretched to the point of breaking.  True, many of grew up being involved in many activities both in and out of school.  However, we did not have to weather the storm of SOCIAL MEDIA as young adults.

The world of social media is expanding and evolving on a daily basis.  It may seem that just when we, as adults, have one website or cellphone app figured out another one more secretive and dangerous becomes available.

It seems that almost everyday we, as school officials, are dealing with students issues relating back to the use of social media.  Many of these issues stem from the fact that most students don't understand the ramifications and consequences that can result from poor decisions made regarding the use of social media.

As students are given the responsibility of an online presence, a earlier age every year, it is absolutely necessary for parents to have discussions about what is right and responsible.  Imagine handing over the keys to a car before your child took Drivers Ed., behind the wheel, or received their permit. Obviously, anyone can see the danger in that.  However, today we hand them a device that has more computing power than all the computers combined that were used to send man to the moon and capable of accessing all of the knowledge accumulated since the beginning of time, under the idea that "now they can get a hold of me and I can get a hold of them", with little or no direction.  It is foolish to expect that children will know how to manage an online presence if they are not taught what is acceptable behavior.  Here at the school, Ms. Jacob, the counselor has done lessons on this subject and we have had people from the Morton County Sheriff's Department come and explain to students, at the high school, what can happen if poor decisions are made.

Some of the issues we have dealt with here at New Salem-Almont High School over the past few years include:

• Cyberbulling
• Sexting
• Harassing Snapchat messages/stories (which can be retrieved and don't just disappear) 
• Students admitting to doing things via Snapchat  

To help facilitate discussions please feel free to use the following information: CLICK HERE
 

Multi-Teir System of Supports (MTSS); the nuts & bolts

Some students and parents have begun to hear a new acronym floating around this year, MTSS.  Any time a "new thing" comes around there is always a certain amount of wondering and questioning as to what is this and why are we doing it.

The definition of Multi-Teir System of Supports (MTSS) is a framework to provide all students with the best opportunities to succed academically and behaviorally in school (www.ndmtss.org).  What this frame work aims to do is provide ALL students with instruction AND interventions based on their needs.

Student success is, always, our number one goal.  The MTSS framework is an ongoing process that comes from everyone, teachers, students, and parents, working toward a common goal.  MTSS is not something that is done to a student or a place where a student goes.  MTSS, if done right, is a systematic cultural change in the way a school approaches the education of its student.  A simpler way of saying it is; as a school we do whatever it takes for every student everyday.


Click the images for more information on NDMTSS:

What is an REA and why do they matter?

As a small rural school, there is always a need to find the most efficient and cost-effective way to provide services and classes to our administrators, staff, and students.  One of those efficient and cost-effective ways is through our local Regional Education Association or REA.

The specific REA New Salem-Almont Public Schools belongs to is the Missouri River Education Cooperative (MREC) headquartered in Mandan.

To say the MREC is vital to the educational program we provide is an understatement.  The MREC has provided or currently does provide the following services for our district:

·      Administrator trainings and meetings

·      First Tech Challenge Support (Robotics & Engineering Club)

·      Instructional Coaching

·      Online and ITV courses through the MRACTC

·      Help with the AdvancEd accreditation process

·      Data analysis – MAP Test, State Assessment, & BrightBytes Survey

·      Trainings and support with Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS)

During the 2015-2016 school year 53 students took classes offered through the MRACTC.  This year, 2016-2017, we have 40 students taking classes.

I wanted to inform you of the important role REA’s play in rural education because a bill has been introduced in the North Dakota state Legislature to strip funding of REA’s from the state budget.  House Bill 1318 would strike REA’s from the North Dakota Century Code leaving our staff and students without the opportunity for cost-effective professional development and expanded course offerings. 

If you would like to know more about the MREC and the programs it provides click here

Get on the Energy Bus!

At the start of the school year Superintendent of Schools, Mr. Andrew Jordan introduced a program to help change the climate and culture of the New Salem-Almont school district for the better.  The program that was introduced was John Gordon's "The Energy Bus."

This program is one that has been used to turn around organizations, companies, and professional sports teams for almost TEN years.  The "Energy Bus is a message of choice and positivity woven through the story of a man named George who’s day starts out with one frustration after another and ultimately he is forced to take the bus to work.  It is when George gets on the bus that his life changes.  Joy, the bus driver, greets George with a loud and happy “Good day to you today, Sugar!” from that moment on George begins to understand that we may not be in control of the situations around us, but we are in control of how we respond.

Every staff member was given a copy of the book “The Energy Bus” and it is our hope that a positive attitude will start to permeate everything we do here at New Salem-Almont Public Schools.  The idea behind the book is grounded in 10 Rules that John Gordon says will “fuel your life, work, and team with positive energy.”  The rules are simple:

1)    You’re the Driver of your bus

2)    Desire, vision, and focus move your bus in the right direction

3)    Fuel your ride with positive energy

4)    Invite people on your and share your vision for the road ahead

5)    Don’t waste your energy on those who don’t get on the bus

6)    Post a sign that says NO ENERGY VAMPIRES ALLOWED on your bus

7)    Enthusiasm attracts more passengers and energizes them during the ride

8)    Love your passengers

9)    Drive with purpose

10) Have fun and enjoy the ride

We have tried to do these this year and it is our hope that a culture of positivity becomes a part of our identity at New Salem-Almont Public Schools.