School Improvement
In order to ensure the best possible education for ALL students within Galesburg CUSD #205, the district and schools will continually review and update their goals and activities through the Rising Star continuous improvement process.
What is Rising Star?
Rising Star is a web-based, comprehensive and continuous improvement planning process based upon indicators of effective professional practices supported by research. Rising Star resides on the Illinois Interactive Report Card (IIRC), and serves as the required template for both district and school plans, as well as a variety of other plans required by both State and Federal funding sources (e.g., Title I, Title III, and technology implementation plans). Rising Star on IIRC uses indicators of effective practice, at both the district and school level, to provide the structure for improving teaching and learning as part of a continuous cycle of assessment, planning, implementation, and progress monitoring. These indicators are organized into the following Eight Essential Elements:
District and School Continuous Improvement Planning Teams meet monthly to assess the extent to which an indicator of effective practice is present in their educational setting using a rating system (supported by evidence) of No implementation, Partial Implementation, or Full Implementation. Indicators designated as “high opportunity” and “high priority” are converted to objectives. The team then assigns tasks and activities to bring those high-impact, targeted indicators / objectives to full implementation.
Through the guidance of an internal, district-wide Capacity Building Coach and the dedication of highly-qualified teachers and building leaders, these district and school plans are brought to life. This leadership model helps establish a framework for effective and efficient teaming and educational practices at all levels of professional collaboration through the following;
What is Rising Star?
Rising Star is a web-based, comprehensive and continuous improvement planning process based upon indicators of effective professional practices supported by research. Rising Star resides on the Illinois Interactive Report Card (IIRC), and serves as the required template for both district and school plans, as well as a variety of other plans required by both State and Federal funding sources (e.g., Title I, Title III, and technology implementation plans). Rising Star on IIRC uses indicators of effective practice, at both the district and school level, to provide the structure for improving teaching and learning as part of a continuous cycle of assessment, planning, implementation, and progress monitoring. These indicators are organized into the following Eight Essential Elements:
- Comprehensive Planning
- Conditions for Learning
- Community & Family Engagement
- Professional Development
- Leadership
- Curriculum
- Instruction
- Assessment
District and School Continuous Improvement Planning Teams meet monthly to assess the extent to which an indicator of effective practice is present in their educational setting using a rating system (supported by evidence) of No implementation, Partial Implementation, or Full Implementation. Indicators designated as “high opportunity” and “high priority” are converted to objectives. The team then assigns tasks and activities to bring those high-impact, targeted indicators / objectives to full implementation.
Through the guidance of an internal, district-wide Capacity Building Coach and the dedication of highly-qualified teachers and building leaders, these district and school plans are brought to life. This leadership model helps establish a framework for effective and efficient teaming and educational practices at all levels of professional collaboration through the following;
- Requires a team structure with well-defined roles and a variety of stakeholders
- Guides the work of improvement teams
- Provides research based Wise Ways®
- Enables staff to focus on instruction and sound assessment
- Provides progress monitoring features
- Requires deep engagement within a culture of candor
District Leadership Team Members:
Bart Arthur - Superintendent
Tammie Bolden - Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum & Instruction
Kim Lakis - Coordinator of Instructional Supports/ Internal Capacity-Building Coach
Matt Jacobson - Technology and Professional Development Coordinator
Roy Van Meter - Principal, Galesburg High School
Jeff Houston - Director of Galesburg Area Vocational Center
Nick Sutton - Principal, Lombard Middle School
Matt LeClere - Principal, Nielson Elementary School
Tammie Bolden - Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum & Instruction
Kim Lakis - Coordinator of Instructional Supports/ Internal Capacity-Building Coach
Matt Jacobson - Technology and Professional Development Coordinator
Roy Van Meter - Principal, Galesburg High School
Jeff Houston - Director of Galesburg Area Vocational Center
Nick Sutton - Principal, Lombard Middle School
Matt LeClere - Principal, Nielson Elementary School
Communication and Improvement Council:
The Communication and Improvement Council (CIC), formerly the district RtI team, was established in the Fall of 2012. The purpose of the Communication and Improvement Council is to provide a continuous feedback loop that cultivates communication, shared challenges, celebrating successes and on-going improvement efforts, between the district and all schools. Representatives from all school improvement/leadership teams, building principals, central office administrators and the GEA President meet three times throughout the school year to align and discuss district and school improvement goals, ask questions and also share celebrations and concerns.
**Please see your building principal if you are interested in becoming a member of your School Improvement Team and/or CIC representative.
**Please see your building principal if you are interested in becoming a member of your School Improvement Team and/or CIC representative.