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Hart's Pre K-8 principal credits I-Ready, 'test talks' for reading gains; requests cameras, field
Summary
Principal Blair told the Lincoln County Board of Education that Hart's Pre K-8 has seen multi-year reading gains tied to I-Ready interventions and individualized 'test talks,' and asked the district to consider funding for continued I-Ready access, an updated indoor camera system and separate baseball/softball fields.
Principal Blair presented the Local School Improvement Council report for Hart's Pre K-8 on Oct. 21, saying the school’s targeted interventions have produced measurable gains in reading and described several priorities for continued improvement.
Blair said Hart uses I-Ready intervention groups and holds one-on-one "test talks" with students in grades 3 through 8 to review I-Ready and GSA scores and set goals. "My favorite thing ... were test talks," Blair said, explaining staff meet with each student to show how close they were to reaching the next performance level.
Blair reported multi-year reading gains at Hart: proficiency rates she cited rose from about 37% in an earlier year to 41% in a subsequent year and reached 49% in the 2004–05 school year, which she described as roughly a 12–percentage-point gain over the span discussed. On math, Blair said proficiency rose to the low- to mid-40% range but noted a small recent decline she attributed to shifting focus back to math instruction.
Among other items Blair summarized were after-school and summer enrichment programs, a new volleyball team, the Young Innovators pilot, attendance incentives and a return of the social worker four days per week. She also described planned "quick" classroom observations (an adapted Instructional Practices Inventory) intended to provide rapid, constructive feedback to teachers.
Blair listed site needs for which she requested continued support: licensed access to I-Ready, repairs to the parking lot, updates to the indoor camera system (the county has applied for a large grant that may help), and a separate field for baseball and softball where space allows. She also reviewed Hart's safety protocols including a swipe-card entry, visitor check-in and active-threat drills.
Board members praised the school’s culture and staff. The board did not take immediate action on the funding requests but thanked Blair and the Hart staff for the presentation.
