Cape schools working on goals for next year

An innovative approach to learning, teaching and managing schools is shaping the direction Cape Girardeau School District will take next year.

School board members put their heads together with administrators Monday night to develop objectives for the 2003-04 school year during the first of two goal-setting meetings scheduled this week.

"How are we going to get there if we don't know where we're going?" said Sharon Mueller, school board president. "Even though the way of carrying out the goals may be different at each school, we need to be in alignment."

At the forefront of the conversation was the idea of implementing a professional learning community, a reform model for educational improvement, to boost student achievement at each school.

The model, which was developed by nationally renowned educator Rick DuFour, stresses the involvement of teachers, students and community members, continued professional development, the use of scientifically based teaching methods, and the application and attainment of specific goals.

It breaks away from a cookie-cutter type of learning and instead individualizes education by recognizing that not all students learn at the same pace.

"It represents a shift in attitude that is significantly different from the way we've done things in the past," said school board member Dr. Steve Trautwein.

Local administrators say they are already practicing many of the ideas embraced by the professional learning community model, like the establishment of teams of teachers to collaborate on a regular basis.

However, they feel adopting the model would organize those practices and provide an ever-changing framework to adhere to -- one they believe will lead to a better education for all students.

"I think it's a direction to follow because more and more people involved with the school, including the community as a whole, will be a positive thing for student achievement," said Frank Ellis, principal at Central Middle School.

Establishing board goals is an annual procedure, but superintendent Mark Bowles said this year's is unlike any other in the amount of emphasis placed on student achievement.

"That's truly the most important issue for us," said Bowles. "Although we haven't established anything tangible yet, we'll translate this discussion into goals with the focus set on high standards for student achievement."

The goal-setting will continue at 6 p.m. Thursday at the board office at 301 N. Clark. Board members will narrow the discussion down to specific goals and suggestions on how to attain those goals for the coming school year.

cclark@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 128