Plattsburg High School

School Information

School Name:  Plattsburg High School
School Address:   P.O. Box 287 Plattsburg, MO 64477
School Phone:  816-539-2184
School Fax:  816-539-3315
Principal:  Kenneth J. Tongue
Principal E-Mail:  ktongue@ccr3.k12.mo.us

Demographics

Number of Students:  299
Number eligible for Free and Reduced Lunch:  24%
Percent of Limited English Proficient:  0%
Percent of Special Education:  11.32%
Racial/Ethnic Percentages:

• White  89%
• Black  8.4%
• Hispanic  1.3%
• Asian/Pacific Island  0.3%
• Other  1%

 

Student Achievement Data

Proficient and Advanced total in Math and Comm Arts: Missouri State Test (school/state). The Missouri State test was changed from 2006 to 2007 and results are reflected in that. The number of categories was changed from five to four.

	Grade 10 Math (School/State)	Grade 11 Comm Arts (School/State)	% taking ACT (School/State)	Grade 10 Math MAP Index (School/State)	Grade 11 Comm Arts MAP Index (School/State)
2003-04				183.9/167.5	194.7/184.8
2004-05				181/171.1	199.1/185.2
2005-06	21/16.6	22/22.9	67.3/70	191.9/172.1	187/185.6
2006-07	50/42.4	50.8/42.7	75.5/70	750/728.3	752.4/743.5
2007-08	49.2/41.1	48.7/41.8	79.7/70	738.4/725.4	760.2/743.5

 

Please comment on any aspect of the data that you feel is particularly significant.

The MAP Index is a score derived from a formula to show movement of students from one category to another. The formula is: MAP Index = (pct Step 1*1)+(pct Progressing *1.5)+(pct Nearing Proficient*2)+(pct Proficient*2.5)+(pct Advanced*3).

In 2006 the number of categories was reduced from five to four, thus the change in numbers and percentages.

There was a slight dip in 2004, however, the school decided the reason for the dip was that the PLC process was implemented the year prior and the focus was more on the implementation of PLC rather than on teaching strategies. However from that time on the gains in student scores has been tremendous.

It is worth noting that in our 10th grade math scores there was an 11.6% dip in scores between 2006 & 2007. As we went back and looked at the data for this class we found some very positive information. We found that the last time this class took the MAP Math test in Middle School; they scored 3% below state average. Though the 2007 scores are lower than our 2006 scores, the 10th graders taking the MAP Math test scored 13% above state average as compared to 3% below state average the last time this class took the MAP math test. In two years of high school we were able to move a class that was performing below state average to a level where they are now exceeding state scores. It was felt by our PLC Teams that the success of this class is proof that our S.M.A.R.T. Goals and Action Plans we implemented in math are working.

When we first started the PLC process, our Comm. Arts Collaborative Team focused on test data and found several process standards that our students did not perform well on. SMART Goals and Action Plans were developed to improve student performance in these low areas and implemented by all staff members. The results of this have been very positive. In just a few short years, we have raised our Comm. Arts Test Score to a point where we are now out performing 85% of our conference schools and maintaining a high percentage above the state average.

 

Please present any additional information that indicates your efforts to build a professional learning community have had a positive impact upon students and/or teachers.

Starting the PLC process at Plattsburg High School has created positive change in our district. Over the past 4 years, we as a staff have made great improvements in student learning. Through collaboration and handling issues as a team, we have been able to direct our focus on what’s important and create a plan bound by data to reach our goals. We could not have reached this point without the help of our friends and facilitators at the UMKC sight for Professional Learning Communities and Accelerated Schools. Through our relationship with our trainers, we have been able to bring this process to our other buildings. This PLC process, with the guidance of our trainers, has produced a K-12 Professional Learning Community that works together, not only vertically, but horizontally as well. For the first time in my 26 years as an educator in the Clinton County R-III School District, I feel like we now have a common focus in student learning, and communicate that focus K-12.

 

Please elaborate upon strategies you have found to be effective in any of the following areas:

1. Monitoring student learning on a timely basis.

We are a small rural high school in Missouri and through our PLC we have established 4 core “Collaborative Teams.” Each team works on analyzing test data and determines what process standards need improvement. Core teams then come together and share their findings, look for similarities and weaknesses that are common to all teams and content areas, and develop a plan of action for improvement. Student progress is then monitored throughout the year.

2. Creating systems of intervention to provide students with additional time and support for learning.

Collaboration through our PLC Teams has led us in a very positive direction when it comes to intervention and student support. One of the best student support systems and interventions we have started in our high school is our freshman mentoring program; “Tiger Fly.” In-coming freshman are placed in groups with other freshman and a junior and senior mentor. These junior and senior mentors work with their freshman groups for the entire school in a very organized and structured program that is designed to promote student success.

Advisory time has also been implemented into the school day as an intervention for student learning. A 28 minute period per day is structured to allow students to get extra help with their class work, read AR books, do homework assignments, and work on class projects that need to be completed. This Advisory period allows students to get things done and the help they need to be successful.

3. Building the capacity of teachers to work as members of high performing collaborative teams who focus the efforts of their team on improved learning for students.

This is an area that we continue to improve in from year to year. We have a building Leadership Team that meets 2 times a month. Members of the Leadership Team are made up from representatives of each of the Core Collaborative Teams. Collaborative Teams work on identified SMART Goals and other items for student learning. The building administration oversees the Leadership Team and agendas and minutes of each meeting is kept in team manuals. The Leadership team and Collaborative Teams meet together every month to share progress on identified goals.

 

List awards and recognitions your school has achieved

In 2006, Plattsburg High School was awarded a Most-Improved Schools Award in Missouri. This award is for schools that have a high number of students moving into the “Proficient” and “Advanced” levels. (Percentage increase from 2001 administration to 2005). Plattsburg High School’s percentage change was 17.1 while the state average was 3.9. This award was for Grade 10 Math. The Clinton County R-III School District has also received the highest accreditation in the state of Missouri, that being “Accredited with Distinction “in 2007.