3 Year Cohort Study Shows Results

38 high poverty middle schools in the Grand Rapids, MI area teamed up 3 years ago with their local intermediate agency, Kent ISD, to adopt the S.M.A.R.T. system of school improvement. KISD obtained federal math grants to support the initiative which is guided by a steering committee including principals, teachers, support staff, and KISD staff. The purpose of the initiative is to grow the schools' capacity for self-renewal and continuous improvement. The results over the past 3 years have been impressive. Terri Portice, Director of Teaching and Learning for the Kent Intermediate School District, sent a spreadsheet showing cohort proficiency scores tracked over time for each school. 

She commented,

On the spreadsheet you will find the overall scores, as well as the increases in the overall proficiency levels for Math and ELA.  You will also notice the changes in proficiency level for the top category (number of student scoring in the top proficiency level).  These increases are better than the overall score increases.  This is really awesome."

(Site registrants may download the slide below to see results graphically.)

The feedback from teachers has been powerful as well. Some samples:

It has been amazing for me to see how implementing the SMART Goals Process has changed the way I plan and teach.  Even more amazing to me has been the kids' excitement in their learning as they rise higher academically.” - Susan Schut-Koning, 7th grade teacher, Sparta Middle School

“The SMART Goals process helps us reflect on the data so that we know how to adjust our instruction or change our teaching strategies with specific groups of kids after we’ve broken down the data.”--Lori Hart, 6^th grade teacher & Amanda Palmer, 7^th grade teacher, Burton Middle School

This is a process that breathes life into teachers, their classrooms, and their students, as well as changes the way everyone in education does their job!”  -- Gail Ramish, Team Leader/ 7th grade teacher, Rockford Public School District