Nichols Elementary presents literacy and instructional gains to Coffee County school board

Miss Lori Bratcher, introduced by the board chair as Nichols Elementary’s representative, walked the board through classroom lesson plans, differentiated instruction and assessment trends.

Bratcher described the district's daily lesson planning format (SEEKS) and flex-group arrangements that rotate students based on data. She said leadership teams conducted Elliott observations throughout the year and reported counts by nine-week periods (45; 47; 44; 36), plus 12 additional leadership-team observations each period focused on 'high expectations' and 'active learning.' Bratcher emphasized the role of the media center and reading programs in supporting early literacy gains: "we doubled last year and then this year we came up 8,455 of those from last year," she said, explaining the increase in AR test completions.

On assessments, Bratcher summarized trends in STAR and GMAS testing, noting a prior-year GMAS increase of roughly 2–2.25 percentage points (from about 60% to 62%) and that current-year scores remain embargoed. She outlined low-key attendance incentives to encourage daily attendance and listed family-engagement events (a trunk-or-treat with 20 volunteer trunks and monthly "lunch with parents" activities).

The presentation closed with a description of the school’s Capturing Kids' Hearts (CKH) action plan and daily student recognition routines. The board did not take an immediate vote on instructional items; the presentation was informational and will be reflected in regular oversight reports.