Superintendent outlines ambitious plan to boost student performance

During a recent meeting of the Greater Albany School District, public concern was raised regarding low reading and math scores, particularly at Waverly Elementary. May Yee, a community member, emphasized the need for the district to address these academic challenges and requested information on the steps being taken to improve student performance. The district acknowledged her concerns and expressed gratitude for her commitment to student outcomes.

In response to these issues, Superintendent Andy Schmidt outlined a new initiative aimed at enhancing teaching practices through the implementation of the \"5D Plus\" rubric. This framework, developed by a collaborative steering committee of teachers and administrators, focuses on five critical dimensions of effective classroom instruction: lesson purpose, student engagement, curriculum and pedagogy, assessment, and classroom environment.

Schmidt explained that the initiative is designed to foster a culture of continuous improvement among educators. Teachers will not be formally evaluated this year; instead, they will engage in reflective practices and receive feedback through observations. This approach aims to support teachers in identifying areas for growth without the pressure of immediate evaluation.

Probationary teachers, however, will undergo evaluations as part of their contract renewal process. The district plans to conduct multiple observations to assess their performance and provide necessary feedback.

The meeting concluded with a commitment to ongoing professional development for both teachers and administrators, with the goal of creating a more effective learning environment for students. The district hopes that by focusing on teacher growth and collaboration, they can ultimately improve student outcomes in reading and math.