- NIUNet highspeed broadband (NIU)
- Laptops on portable carts (428 and NIU)
- Palm Pilots (NIU)
- 30 computers for classrooms (NIU)
- Digital cameras
a national model of arts integration to improve academic performance”
Harold Kafer, Dean of NIU’s College of Visual and Performing Arts.
Student Success is the First Priority
at Wright
The highest levels of achievement – 100% of students meeting standards in nine subjects by 2009 - that’s what Wright School seeks for every student. In 2004-5, the partners launched a five-year plan by introducing innovations that have been proven successful elsewhere and by gathering information about students’ performance in the following: reading, mathematics, writing, science, social sciences, fine arts, technology, health, physical fitness, and citizenship.
Wright School GOAL 1: All students enjoy learning and –
Meet or exceed state standards in reading, mathematics, writing, science, and social science
- 88% of Wright students met or exceeded standards in reading, math, and science, placing it second in the district among elementary schools in 2005.
- 97% of 3rd graders met or exceeded standards in mathematics.
- The race/ethnicity “achievement gap” is minimal at 3rd grade and non-existent on 5th grade state tests.
Meet or exceed national standards for learning with technology
Proficiency with technology dramatically expands students’ ways of learning and their skills for the 21st century. To prepare students to meet standards, teachers incorporate everything from digital cameras to Palm Pilots into everyday learning.
NIU extended NIUNet’s high speed broadband service to Wright and added a second cart of laptops to those provided by District 428, plus 30 computers for classroom use. Lara Luetkehans, NIU faculty liaison in technology, helped teachers integrate technology into all subjects. A technology assessment designed for third through 5th graders measured baseline skills against standards developed by an international organization.
Meet or exceed state standards in fine arts
Enabling students to learn through the arts, such as learning mathematics in drawing class, helps address the different ways that students learn. District 428 art teacher Christine Edlund devises visual arts activities that aid learning of difficult concepts in reading. She and Luetkehans are creating electronic portfolios to show each students’ progress in meeting the fine arts standards.
Demonstrate competency in health and wellness and demonstrate physical fitness
Although PE equipment was limited to only 26 soccer balls for the first six weeks, students participated in energetic, standards-based lessons. Baseline data will be used to measure students’ progress toward physical fitness.
Prepare for their future roles as citizens in a democracy
Wright teachers adopted a character-building program based on high expectations for behavior on the playground, lunchroom and bus line. An assessment tool has not been selected for measuring growth in citizenship
