Life of an elementary school principal keeps you busy, and as you can see by my wheels, not much time to put the top up. However, in Alaska we are a hardy bunch.
The Ocean View faculty has been wrestling with the standards reforms that are sweeping the nation. Although local content and performance standards are not yet in place, we have made efforts to accommodate the transition.
Accountability has always been a top priority for me and I believe we now have the beginnings of a process that will demonstrate what is taught and subsequent performance.
At Ocean View we have developed a progressive portfolio that reflects student growth. Included in the portfolios is a reading continuum for students in grades K-3 and a First Steps developmental continuum for students in grades 4-6. The continuums reflect the learning the students have demonstrated through mastery, benchmark testing, observations, and the soon to be administered third grade independent reader assessment. This exam has been developed at the local level. These efforts are being supported with appropriate staff development opportunities.
This is a small sampling of what is happening at Ocean View and at every school across America. Education today is more comprehensive than ever. Kids are taught more information and in greater detail than ten years ago. The times demand more and Ocean View's educators along with all their peers in the Anchorage School District, Alaska, and the U.S. are working to exceed all expectations!