The start of the "Start"

Welcome back to the early beginnings of another school year.  Whenever our local fair starts, there is a general consensus that our summer is officially "over."  Yes, I know this is sad to say, but I am genuinely looking forward to another great year here at Sibley and hope that you and your child are as well.

At this time of year, I also get asked questions about current class size, section amounts, and teacher assignments.  Here are my thoughts on those topics......

Making decisions about class sizes is never any easy one.  Our practice as a district has long been to establish size caps that do go up to 30 students per teacher in grades 4 and 5.  Research would show that a student’s success in school goes up significantly if they are meeting grade level expectations by grade 3.  It is for this reason that we work to keep our class sizes 24 and lower in grades K-3.

Sibley continues to have strong support systems in place, regardless of a student's grade level placement should s/he require additional support.  When you hear the term "intervention" that term would be synonymous with any number of additional staff that would provide services for which a student qualifies, or is determined in need of.  All classroom teachers work very closely with our intervention staff (Title 1, ADSIS, ELL, Sped, Reading Corps, and GT) to ensure students are making the progress they should be.  In fact, our whole intent is to be sure we provide the support necessary for ALL students to grow academically and socially.     

I also want to mention that although class sizes have some impact on student progress, it tends to sometimes be seen as a rather large factor.  That is simply not the case.  Instructional practices on our part carry far more impact and influence than does a cap.  Maintaining high expectations, offering effective feedback, using meta-cognitive strategies (reflecting on one’s own thinking) with students, and explicit vocabulary instruction are four practices that we continually tweak and adjust accordingly as teachers.  In our process of reflecting weekly together on clearly defined student learning goals, students benefit greatly.  

Here is a list, in order, of those strategies that carry the largest impact.  You should look for those closest to having a 1.0 effect size or greater.  Also know that this research is the work of John Haitte who did a large meta-analysis (research on the research) into what works and doesn't.  So, although class size has impact (.21), it is nowhere near the top of the list, .......but instructional practices and strategies are.

Student/Teacher letters will arrive sometime after August 13th this year and that letter will also detail a bit more on the specific interview format and time that we will follow on the the 27th and 28th.  

Have a great rest of the summer.  See you soon.