Category Archives: Schools and Assessment

Reflections and Planning

We are well into the summer time and many plans for the upcoming school year have already started. Before we jump into 2016-17, it is important to review what happened this past year.  Overall, our district has made progress toward personalizing learning for all students.  Learning does not stop when the school bell sounds.  It […]
Posted in Schools and Assessment | Leave a comment

One Year

Today marks the one year anniversary of my stepping into the role of superintendent.  What a year it has been.  I have seen tremendous growth and commitment from our staff in the area of collaboration and continuous improvement.  We are slowly, but surely shifting the focus from basic skills to the 4 C’s – Critical […]
Posted in Schools and Assessment | Leave a comment

AMP update

The Alaska Measures of Progress (AMP) results are now public.  Clearly, the results across the State and KPSBD are lower than what we are used to seeing from the old Standards Based Assessment.  While there are many reasons for this, ultimately we are using the results as an opportunity to improve.  In prior years, there […]
Posted in Schools and Assessment | Tagged , | Leave a comment

1st Quarter Update

1st Quarter update October 2015 The leaves are falling and the air is getting chillier. This is my favorite time of the year as we transition from summer to winter in Alaska. It also is a transition for our schools. This year, after an excellent start, our district is continuing its transition to meet the […]
Posted in Schools and Assessment | Leave a comment

Engagement, Assessment, AMP

As you know, I have only been able to provide periodic updates to this blog.  I have decided that this forum will become the way I will house all of my communications that occur through out the district.  You will see my presentations to the Assembly, Chambers and other entities.  You will see the quarterly […]
Posted in Schools and Assessment | Tagged | Leave a comment

Beginning again

The start of the new school year is upon us!  School administrators have come back to prepare to open our schools.  Teachers and support staff will soon return to prepare for all of their students too.  In reflecting back on last school year and what could be in store for our district this year, I […]
Posted in Schools and Assessment | Leave a comment

More with Relevance

Over the past several weeks I have had the opportunity to talk with several of our high school students.  They have provided me some resources through youtube and web articles that have helped me understand that providing a relevant education for them is extremely important. In speaking with students, they truly want more than to […]
Posted in Schools and Assessment | Leave a comment

Communication

Unfortunately it has been a long time since I have utilized this method of communication.  Since my last post, I have been busy communicating through many different means, but most importantly through face-to-face opportunities.  It has become very clear to me in my short time as superintendent that writing is important, but being available to […]
Posted in Schools and Assessment | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Leadership

With the inevitable turnover of principals in our schools comes reflection on the characteristics of an effective instructional leader.  I am fortunate to work in a school district that offers many examples of great leaders and not all of them are school principals.  I have learned that leadership is not defined by position.  I believe […]
Posted in Schools and Assessment | Leave a comment

Flipped

Over the last few years the concept of the flipped classroom has come to the forefront.  Technology has allowed many educators to move some aspects of their instruction into homework.  For many this has meant moving lectures online. Ideally this leads to differentiation in the classroom and allows learners to have control over the online […]
Posted in Schools and Assessment | Leave a comment