Dodson Elementary School August 8, 2014: Dear Parents/Guardians and Community Members: We are pleased to present you with the Annual Education Report (AER) which provides key information on the 2013-2014 educational progress for Dodson Elementary School. The AER addresses the complex reporting information required by Federal and State laws. The school’s report contains information about student assessment, accountability and teacher quality. If you have any questions about the AER, please contact your principal, April Quasarano, for assistance. The AER is available for you to review electronically by visiting the following web site www.pccs.k12.mi.us/node/69 or you may review a copy from the general office at your child’s school. The state has identified some schools with the status of Reward, Focus or Priority. A Reward school is one that is outperforming other schools in achievement, growth, or is performing better than other schools with similar student populations. A Focus school is one that has a large achievement gap in 30% of its student achievement scores. A Priority school is one whose achievement and growth is in the lowest 5% of all schools in the state. Our school has been identified as a Reward school. Dodson has a dedicated staff of teachers and support personnel. It is our goal to provide a wide variety of academic opportunities for all of our students and to help them to achieve to the best of their abilities. We have created an atmosphere within the school of cooperation and mutual respect that helps promote positive self-esteem. Samples of student work are on display throughout the building. We are committed to making our school a place that makes everyone feel safe and secure. PROCESS FOR ASSIGNING PUPILS TO THE SCHOOL School boundary attendance areas mandated by the Plymouth-Canton Community Schools Board of Education determine elementary school assignments. THE STATUS OF THE 3-5 YEAR SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT PLAN Our school improvement plan includes goals to strengthen student achievement in English Language Arts, Mathematics, and writing. The plan has been created as a result of an analysis of our student achievement results revealing specific areas in need of improvement. Throughout this school year we will continue to implement specific strategies designed to strengthen the skills of the students. Dodson is home to the TAG Program (Talented and Gifted) which teaches district curriculum while emphasizing higher-order thinking, deep knowledge, substantive conversations and making connections to the world beyond the classroom. TAG students are provided with a qualitatively different school experience, which results from the gifted students’ interactions with each other in an engaging classroom. CORE CURRICULUM Our curriculum can be readily accessed on the district website at www.pccs.k12.mi.us , click on Learning. Paper copies of the curriculum may be obtained at the Board of Education office located at 454 South Harvey Street in Plymouth. The curriculum is fully implemented at each level and is designed to prepare students to meet and exceed the Michigan content expectations. NWEA Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) Reports P-CCS implemented MAP assessments in reading, math, and science in all elementary schools in 2013-2014. The test is a nationally normed assessment reporting on student instructional levels. Results of the spring Assessment are below. Each result shows the averaged percentage of students who performed at or above the norm grade level mean. Grade Level Math Reading Science K-5 81% 72% 80% PARENT-TEACHER CONFERENCES  560 students attend Dodson, and (99%) percent of Dodson students were represented by parents at parent-teacher conferences in 2012-2013.  546 students attend Dodson, and (98%) percent of Dodson students were represented by parents at parent-teacher conferences in 2013-2014. The Dodson Staff would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the community for all of their continued support to our school. Parent support is a key component of every student’s success. We encourage and welcome all community members to participate in our school programs and activities. Thank you to all who make the educational programs truly special and meaningful to all of our children. Sincerely, April Quasarano Principal