Q: What is the purpose of early release Fridays?

A:  The purpose of early release Fridays is to collaborate with colleagues to identify our students' strengths and needs and determine strategies to improve student learning. We utilize the data team process as presented by the Center for Performance Assessment (www.makingstandardswork.com). The steps in the data team process are as follows:

1.  Collect and chart data
2.  Analyze strengths and needs
3.  Establish goals (set, review, revise)
4.  Determine instructional strategies
5.  Determine results indicators

Our goal is to create an educational experience that provides growth and challenge for every student. Working in data teams at the school enables educators to develop standards based assessments which allow us to evaluate what students know and need. Based on this information we have the ability to customize our instruction to meet the specific needs of the learners in our classroom. Developing this focus allows us to be intentional and explicit in our instruction, helping every student achieve.  As we continue through the process, we will examine our curriculum and instructional strategies. This careful analysis will help us improve our instruction thereby better meeting our students’ needs. Student achievement will improve as we move through the data process, critically evaluating and determining the best instruction to meet educational standards customized for our learners’ needs.