PLANNED IMPROVEMENT FOR THE SCHOOL AND DISTRICT

The Illinois Learning Standards are statements which define a core of essential knowledge and skills that Illinois students enrolled in public schools are expected to know and be able to do. Student achievement of these standards as tested with the Illinois Learning Standards Achievement Tests (ISAT) is essential in accordance with the passage of the “No Child Left Behind” federal legislation. ISAT scores reported in this report card reflect the progress of students in achieving standards at the benchmark grades of 3^rd, 4^th, and 5^th.

School Improvement Plans are revised annually in each building. We will continue to study our demographic base and to critically examine methods by which we evaluate student performance. We continually assess our educational programs to ensure that they meet the needs of al our students. An internal review team made up of Coolidge educators works to access the progress we have been making to reach our goals. As part of the annual school improvement process, goals pertinent to the Illinois State Learning Standards are written, assessed, revised and included in the School Improvement Plan. The District’s Director of Curriculum, Assessment and Technology coordinates and directs these efforts.

Lansing School District 158 provides students with a quality education. Each of our schools is staffed by experienced teachers who are interested in the mental, physical, social, as well as, academic welfare of all students. Students are educated in clean, attractive and safe surroundings. A wide variety of current instructional materials are used to enrich each student’s educational experiences. Eleven new classrooms, a computer lab, and a gymnasium/lunchroom were opened this year to address overcrowding at Coolidge.

District 158 employs a technician/network supervisor who oversees the implementation of District 158’s extensive and comprehensive technology plan. This plan guides our instruction of students and the acquisition of materials to compliment our curriculum. Each classroom is connected to the Internet via several computers and engaged learning activities enhance the achievement of our students. Video production labs have been installed in each school and students produce closed circuit television programs for broadcast in the classrooms.

Coolidge students receive instruction in art, music, and physical education from subject specialists. Developmental Reading, Reading Recovery, speech therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, and enrichment instruction are also provided by subject specialists to qualifying students. The district employs psychologists, an educational diagnostician and four social workers, who work directly with children. Beginning in grade five, students may elect to participate in one of the finest instrumental band programs in Illinois.

A study of the assessments, both State and local, at Coolidge School indicate that students are progressing in all academic areas. Analysis of the SAT scores in all subject areas indicate that the majority of our students are average or above average in achievement. The Stanford Achievement Tests (SAT) are closely aligned to our curriculum and are used to determine progress toward the goals of the School Improvement Plan. The State ISAT scores for Coolidge are also used to determine learning goals and their assessment. This year Coolidge ISAT scores indicate that our students are progressing in meeting and exceeding the standards. Areas that will be targeted this year for improvement are reading, mathematics and the students’ ability to express themselves in writing.

Programs that are now in place or have been established to improve instruction are: Math Their Way, Power Writing, and Reading Recovery. We are implementing Balanced Literacy in our language arts curriculum. The District 158 L.A.U.N.C.H. (full-day) Kindergarten program at Crawl Primary Center serves qualifying kindergarten students from across the District. The Accelerated Reader and Star Assessment Programs give support to developing academic skills in the reading areas. We continue to utilize Assertive Discipline and the District Esteem Builders Program at our school to encourage responsibility to one’s self and others. The Second Steps Conflict Resolution Program has been added to the curriculum and is overseen by the District’s social workers. Other formal programs have been implemented by the social worker and some students benefit from programs conducted by the Success Center. D.A.R.E. for 5^th grade students in included in their curriculum.

District programs are supported by large numbers of parent volunteers. Active PTA organizations are present in each of our four District 158 schools. At Coolidge, the PTA actively supports education in a variety of ways both financially and with volunteer help. This group is a vital link to the student successes at Coolidge.

No report card can accurately describe the excellence and diversity of the District 158 elementary school programs. We are proud of our students, their achievement, and of the efforts made by the staff to fully develop student potential.

If you have questions or comments concerning this report card, please call the Coolidge School Principal, Mr. Philip Schumaker (474-4320), or District 158 Superintendent, Mrs. Veronda S. Cottle (474-6700), at any time.

QUALITY EDUCATION: Putting the Children First. The School District 158 Advantage!