1. Goal Details
St. Helen Elementary School
St. Helen, Michigan, United States
Prepared for the Michigan Department of Education
Goal Development Status: In Development

2. St. Helen Elementary School
Goal Details
Contents
Goal: Improving Writing Skills . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
1.1. Objective: Improving Writing Skills . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
1.1.1. Strategy: Improving Writing Skills . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
1.1.1.1. Activity: Improving Writing Skills . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
1.1.2. Strategy: Improving Writing Skills . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
1.1.2.1. Activity: Improving Writing Skills . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
1.1.3. Strategy: Improving Writing Skills . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
1.1.3.1. Activity: Improving Writing Skills . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
1.1.4. Strategy: Improving Writing Skills . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
1.1.4.1. Activity: Improving Writing Skills . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Goal Details: Improving Writing Skills Page 2 of 8

3. St. Helen Elementary School
Goal: Improving Writing Skills
Content Area : English Language Arts
Goal Source : cna
Development Status : In Development
Student Goal Statement : To incease the percentage of students meeting grade level expectations in writing
skills based on the Fall 2008 MEAP test.
Gap Statement : A percentage of students at the elementary level are not meeting grade level expectations in
writing skills. For instance, Fall 2008 MEAP a district average of 41% of our students did not meet expectations
on the MEAP.
Cause for Gap : The AYP Targets for Writing are: 3=60%, 4=59% and 5=57% At St. Helen Elementary we have
certainly moved students out of the lower categories. Data analysis has revealed several students who's cut scores
were very close to the next level. Interventions have been implemented to close the gap for these students to move
them into the next level. The gap was identified by MEAP and NWEA results, students were identified and then
strategies and services were implemented. The cause for the gap was the fact that without assessment data we
were unaware of the exact needs that went beyond the Universal Intructional needs of our students.
Multiple measures/sources of data you used to identify this gap in student achievement : The Gap was
identified through MEAP, My-Access Writing Assessment Results and NWEA assessment results.
What are the criteria for success and what data or multiple measures of assessment will be used to monitor
progress and success of this goal? All students in the Gerrish-Higgins Title I programs throughout the district,
will increase the percentage of students at grade level, in the area of MEAP writing,to reach 75% in each
classroom by the end of the 2009/10 school year.
Contact Name : Mary Ward
List of Objectives:
ID Objective
5340 All students in the St. Helen Elementary Title I Program, will increase 15% in the area of writing,by the end
of the 2009/2010 School Year.
cna Challenges : None
1.1. Objective: Improving Writing Skills
Measurable Objective Statement to Support Goal : All students in the St. Helen Elementary Title I
Program, will increase 15% in the area of writing,by the end of the 2009/2010 School Year.
Goal Details: Improving Writing Skills Page 3 of 8

4. St. Helen Elementary School
List of Strategies:
ID Strategy Locked
By
0 All students in grades 3-4 at St. Helen Elementary will use the My Access Assessment and
Individualized writing Instruction Program. St. Elementary will be the pilot building for the
Electronic My Access Writing Assessment.
0 All teachers (3-12) will use MEAP Writing Rubric.
0 Use Title II, Part A to decrease class sizes to 17 at least one section per building throughout the
District,with that section at Kindergarten at St. Helen Elementary.
0 Provide professional development opportunities for teachers to discuss the progress in writing and
any changes in curriculum that may be needed to meet the goals.
1.1.1. Strategy: Improving Writing Skills
Strategy Statement: All students in grades 3-4 at St. Helen Elementary will use the My Access Assessment
and Individualized writing Instruction Program. St. Elementary will be the pilot building for the Electronic
My Access Writing Assessment.
Selected Target Areas
CNA I.1.A.2 Standards Alignment: The local curriculum framework is based upon and organized around
the adopted state and local curriculum documents.
CNA I.1.A.4 Curriculum Review: The school community holds the belief that quality curriculum and
instruction requires frequent review and revision based upon input of appropriate stakeholders within a
structured process.
Other Required Information for Strategy
What research did you review to support the use of this strategy and action plan?
Research supports the usage of assessment to drive instruction and intervention.
List of Activities:
Activity Begin End Staff Responsible
Date Date
St. Helen Elementary will assess students 2-3 with the Electronic 9/1/2009 6/6/2010 The building Title I
My Access Writing Assessment 3 times a year. Students will also Teacher And
use the program to progress through the individual writing Classroom Teachers.
modules based on student need, as identified through this
assessment.
Goal Details: Improving Writing Skills Page 4 of 8

5. St. Helen Elementary School
1.1.1.1. Activity: Improving Writing Skills
Activity Description: St. Helen Elementary will assess students 2-3 with the Electronic My Access
Writing Assessment 3 times a year. Students will also use the program to progress through the individual
writing modules based on student need, as identified through this assessment.
Activity Type: Revised
Planned staff responsible for implementing activity: The building Title I Teacher And Classroom
Teachers.
Actual staff responsible for implementing activity: Builidng Classroom Teachers
Planned Timeline: Begin Date - 9/1/2009, End Date - 6/6/2010
Actual Timeline: Begin Date - N/A, End Date - N/A
Fiscal Resources Needed for Activity:
Resource Funding Source Planned Actual
Amount Amount
Money Title I Part A 5,000.00 5,000.00
1.1.2. Strategy: Improving Writing Skills
Strategy Statement: All teachers (3-12) will use MEAP Writing Rubric.
Selected Target Areas
CNA I.1.A.1 Curriculum Document(s): The curriculum documents are the basic framework for instruction.
They contain essential and rigorous content that guides what is taught within and across grade levels. They
provide consistency and continuity to the curriculum and instruction practiced at the school and reflect the
belief that all students should actively construct and apply knowledge.
Other Required Information for Strategy
What research did you review to support the use of this strategy and action plan?
Research support the use of a rubric for writing assessment. In regards to instruction consistency all
teachers through-out the district need to use the same rubric which reflects the writing standards.
List of Activities:
Activity Begin End Staff Responsible
Date Date
When assessing writing, all teachers in the district will use the 9/1/2009 6/6/2010 District Classroom
MEAP Writing Rubric. Teachers
Goal Details: Improving Writing Skills Page 5 of 8

6. St. Helen Elementary School
1.1.2.1. Activity: Improving Writing Skills
Activity Description: When assessing writing, all teachers in the district will use the MEAP Writing
Rubric.
Activity Type: Revised
Planned staff responsible for implementing activity: District Classroom Teachers
Actual staff responsible for implementing activity: District Classroom Teachers.
Planned Timeline: Begin Date - 9/1/2009, End Date - 6/6/2010
Actual Timeline: Begin Date - N/A, End Date - N/A
Fiscal Resources Needed for Activity:
Resource Funding Source Planned Actual
Amount Amount
Teacher Time General Funds 1,000.00 1,000.00
1.1.3. Strategy: Improving Writing Skills
Strategy Statement: Use Title II, Part A to decrease class sizes to 17 at least one section per building
throughout the District,with that section at Kindergarten at St. Helen Elementary.
Selected Target Areas
CNA I.2.B.2 Best Practice: There is a strong belief within the school community that all students can
succeed. This is demonstrated in the broad use at both the school and classroom levels of a variety of best
practices designed to meet the differentiated needs of individual learners. Technology is a key component
of instructional practice.
Other Required Information for Strategy
What research did you review to support the use of this strategy and action plan?
Research supports increased student achievement in lower class size particularly at the 1st, 2nd and 3rd
grade levels.
List of Activities:
Activity Begin End Staff Responsible
Date Date
Title II Part A Funds will be used to add at 9/1/2009 6/6/2010 Business Manager Shay Anderson will
Goal Details: Improving Writing Skills Page 6 of 8

7. St. Helen Elementary School
least one section in both of the elementary work with building level budget teams
buildings in order to reduce class size to 17 or which reflect multiple stake holders.
less.
1.1.3.1. Activity: Improving Writing Skills
Activity Description: Title II Part A Funds will be used to add at least one section in both of the
elementary buildings in order to reduce class size to 17 or less.
Activity Type: Revised
Planned staff responsible for implementing activity: Business Manager Shay Anderson will work
with building level budget teams which reflect multiple stake holders.
Actual staff responsible for implementing activity: Shay Anderson Business Manager
Planned Timeline: Begin Date - 9/1/2009, End Date - 6/6/2010
Actual Timeline: Begin Date - N/A, End Date - N/A
Fiscal Resources Needed for Activity:
Resource Funding Source Planned Actual
Amount Amount
Money Title II Part A 85,000.00 85,000.00
1.1.4. Strategy: Improving Writing Skills
Strategy Statement: Provide professional development opportunities for teachers to discuss the progress in
writing and any changes in curriculum that may be needed to meet the goals.
Selected Target Areas
CNA I.2.B.2 Best Practice: There is a strong belief within the school community that all students can
succeed. This is demonstrated in the broad use at both the school and classroom levels of a variety of best
practices designed to meet the differentiated needs of individual learners. Technology is a key component
of instructional practice.
Other Required Information for Strategy
What research did you review to support the use of this strategy and action plan?
Research supports increased student achievement when the research based Professional Development that
the staff participates in is defined by assessment results. The Professional Development is then focused and
purposeful.
Goal Details: Improving Writing Skills Page 7 of 8

8. St. Helen Elementary School
List of Activities:
Activity Begin End Staff
Date Date Responsible
Staff Professional Development will be driven by assessment results. 9/1/2009 6/6/2010 District
Staff members will also be required to develop a plan which indicates Classroom
how they intend to inservice other staff members on what they gained Teachers
by attending the Professional Development Opportunity.
1.1.4.1. Activity: Improving Writing Skills
Activity Description: Staff Professional Development will be driven by assessment results. Staff
members will also be required to develop a plan which indicates how they intend to inservice other staff
members on what they gained by attending the Professional Development Opportunity.
Activity Type: Revised
Planned staff responsible for implementing activity: District Classroom Teachers
Actual staff responsible for implementing activity: District Classroom Teachers
Planned Timeline: Begin Date - 9/1/2009, End Date - 6/6/2010
Actual Timeline: Begin Date - N/A, End Date - N/A
Fiscal Resources Needed for Activity:
Resource Funding Source Planned Actual
Amount Amount
Money Title I Part A 10,000.00 10,000.00
Goal Details: Improving Writing Skills Page 8 of 8