Professional Development

The Chipeta staff values personal and professional growth.  The state-mandated School Improvement Plan (SIP) requires professional development to improve student achievement.  Through Professional Learning Communities and curriculum goal teams, the staff analyzes data and identifies areas of specific need.  Identified needs drive professional development. Training in researched-based strategies is embraced by the staff as opportunity to increase student achievement.

In 2003, data analysis revealed relatively low math scores, which became the focus for the SIP that year.  To raise students’ scores, the district Everyday Math specialist trained our teachers on methods to enhance our curriculum.  Grade level teams added Math Exemplars to their instruction to facilitate students’ abilities to clearly express math concepts.   As a result of training and ongoing implementation, math scores have increased from 86 % proficient and advanced in 2003 to 96 % proficient and advanced in 2008, and students scoring at the advanced level rose from 35% to 68%.

In 2004, data analysis revealed a need for improved writing instruction and became a focus of the SIP.  The literacy resource teachers presented Step Up to Writing, Six Trait Writing, and Writing Alive!  at staff development workshops.  In 2007, Chipeta piloted Writers’ Advantage and teachers participated in professional development sessions.  Test scores have climbed from 77 % proficient and advanced in 2004 to 93 % proficient and advanced in 2008.

Chipeta volunteered to be a pilot site for the Response to Intervention process (RtI) in 2005.  School representatives attended training sessions, then shared the information with staff at meetings.  A collaborative developmental effort by the staff led to the design of our state recognized, exemplary RtI program.  Since teachers share ownership, they are willing to closely monitor students and use the dynamic and streamlined process; students who previously would not have been identified as having instructional deficits now receive support from tutors and the resource team, and have access to supplemental materials.

Chipeta is a model of professional development and collaboration, both in the school district and in the state.