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Oceana Middle principal outlines data-driven goals, co-teaching and a student lounge reward system
Summary
Principal Miss Plettons told the Wyoming County Schools board that spring benchmark mastery rates were roughly 32% in ELA and 28% in math, outlined co-teaching and specially designed instruction plans, and described a student lounge incentive tied to measurable growth.
Miss Plettons, principal of Oceana Middle School, told the Wyoming County Schools board that spring GSA mastery rates stood at about 32 percent in English language arts and 28 percent in math, with grade-level variances (fifth-grade ELA 33 percent; sixth 27 percent; seventh 37 percent; eighth 32 percent; math fifth 25 percent; sixth 26 percent; seventh 26 percent; eighth 34 percent).
She said teachers and students are using data trackers and benchmark conversations so students set specific numerical goals after each assessment and monitor progress. "They fill out for benchmark 1...and after benchmark 1, they look at their scores, they put their data in there, and then they make a goal," Miss Plettons said, describing the practice as part of a schoolwide effort to shift emphasis from categorical labels to measurable growth.
Miss Plettons described expanding co-taught classrooms so that students who previously received services in separate resource rooms receive instruction alongside general education peers. She said co-teaching in math and ELA began in February and has produced "amazing" results and confidence gains among participating students.
To reward achievement and growth, the school is launching a student lounge with age-appropriate games, board games and snacks. Under the plan, students who meet or exceed expectations or who demonstrate measurable growth can earn lounge time in lieu of a skills period. "If you meet and exceed, that means two weeks out of the month, you get to go hang out in the student lounge," Miss Plettons said, adding that the lounge is meant as an incentive and motivational tool.
Board members and parents praised the emphasis on growth and data conversations. A parent said the focus gave the family a framework for encouraging their child and made data conversations part of home routines. Miss Plettons said the school will continue bi-monthly PLC meetings and other teacher collaboration aimed at coherent instruction across grade levels.
The presentation also highlighted extracurricular activity participation, recent student-led events and the school’s work on aligning writing instruction and specially designed instruction across subjects. The board encouraged members and visitors to tour the new student lounge and other improvements.
