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Accountability and flexibility are hallmarks of Gwinnett County Public Schools' success. Key to that success is ensuring that each school community understands the progress being made by its schools, as well as what plans will drive improvement. Each school creates a collaborative Local School Plan for Improvement (LSPI) to increase student achievement results, with targeted goals based on the four strategic priorities within the district’s Blueprint for the Future: Empathy, Equity, Effectiveness, and Excellence. All schools across the district will focus on goals 2A- Multi-tiered Systems of Support and 2B- Opportunity and Access. Additionally, schools are required to select one goal from each of the other strategic priorities. LSPI goals are dynamic, like our schools, and are updated to reflect changes that occur in schools. Multiple data points are used to determine areas needing improvement and to identify specific, measurable, annual objectives. Schools then determine how to use research-based strategies to achieve these goals, using flexibility as needed. The LSPI development process involves teachers, parents, students, and community members, so the entire school community has the opportunity to be involved in conversations about school improvement.

 

2023 - 2024 Local School Plan for Improvement (LSPI)


School: KNIGHT ELEMENTARY           Principal: Toni Ferguson
District Strategic Priorities/Goals Rationale Action Steps
(Implementation Design)		 How will you measure growth?
Growth Factors (Baseline & Targets)
Empathy 1.B - Staff and Student Well Being

We will continue to build an intentional, well-established, exemplary social and emotional learning (SEL) program that strategically provides cross-divisional support coupled with robust professional learning and resources for staff, students, and families.
  1. Continue implementation of PBIS with refinements such as a PBIS store and staff SEL activities to facilitate a positive school experience for students and staff.
  2. Continue school clubs with an emphasis on the Student Council to empower student voice.
  3. Continue Knight University (professional learning model) to build teacher capacity to provide a positive and supportive classroom environment.
  4. Continue implementation of school-wide morning meetings with refinement to include joyful learning prior to morning meetings and weekly restorative circles. 
  5. Launch Teacher Leader Academy in August 2023 to empower teacher voice.

Educational Effectiveness Survey (EES Survey) – Students
Increase the percentage of staff responding positively to the following Educator Effectiveness Survey items:
(1) I enjoy coming to this school (2) I can calm myself down when I am excited or upset (3) Students' success is celebrated in this school

Spring 2023 Results: 42%

Target Spring 2024: 50%

Educational Effectiveness Survey (EES Survey) – Staff
Increase the percentage of staff responding positively to the following Educator Effectiveness Survey items:
(1) I receive training on instruction to support social-emotional Learning (2) I understand instructional strategies to support social-emotional learning objectives

Spring 2023 Results:  79%

Target Spring 2024: 85%

 
Equity 2.A - Multi-tiered System of Supports

We will implement high-quality Tier 1 instruction for all students that include targeted small groups, grade-level curriculum, ongoing formative assessments, and progress monitoring.
  1. Continue collaborative learning teams each week to ensure all teachers know how to access learning (assessments), what to teach (curriculum - AKS), and how to teach (instruction).
  2. Utilize a school schedule to deploy instructional support in classrooms during literacy and math instruction, maximizing targeted small groups.
  3. Create learning walks schedule to monitor and guide professional learning for STAR Time and Tier 1 instruction
  4. Conduct monthly data analysis sessions to plan responsive instruction for each and every student.
  5. Partner with the Office of Instructional Support to provide professional learning to all staff to assist with implementing interventions and progress monitoring with fidelity.
  6. Increase opportunities for small group, targeted instruction which supports the effective implementation of the MTSS process and/or provide additional interventions and supports to students.

% Reading Below Grade Level on Milestones 

3rd Grade Spring 2023: 22%

Target Spring 2024: 17%

4th Grade Spring 2023: 41%

Target Spring 2024: 20%

5th Grade Spring 2023: 22%

Target Spring 2024: 20%

 

Student Improvement – % Beginning on Milestones on of all Milestones tests in which students scored at Beginning level, lowest performance level

ELA Spring 2023: 25%

ELA Target Spring 2024: 20%

Math Spring 2023: 19%

Math Target Spring 2024: 15%

Science Spring 2023: 23%

Science Target Spring 2024: 20%

 
Equity 2.B - Opportunity and Access

We will reduce disruptions to learning resulting from exclusionary discipline actions (in-school suspension and out-of-school suspension) by implementing evidence-based strategies (e.g. restorative practices and PBIS).

 

 
  1. Implementing joyful learning during arrival time.
  2. Continue to implement morning meetings with a refinement to include restorative circles once a week.
  3. Continue with PBIS lessons during morning meetings to teach school-wide expectations.
  4. Continue to implement CARE buddies, our school mentoring program.
  5. Review and implement a Tier 1 supportive community plan to include joyful learning, morning meetings, and restorative practices.
  6. Also, provide professional learning to utilize EL Education resources during literacy instruction.

PBIS Implementation Status

Spring 2023 – Emerging

Target Spring 2024 - Operational

Decrease the number of students with in-school suspensions

Spring 2023 Results: 17 students

Target Spring 2024: 12 students

Decrease the the number of students with out-of-school suspensions

Spring 2023 Results: 15 students

Target Spring 2024: 10 students
Effectiveness 3.A - Results-Based Evaluation System

We will use the redesigned RBES which includes equal elements of academic growth and a supportive community to promote continuous improvement through the identification of strengths and weaknesses and communicate the annual change in school performance in both academic growth and creating a supportive community.
  1. Utilize the Results-Based Evaluation System (RBES) to monitor our LSPI goals.
  2. Conduct weekly learning walks to provide feedback to improve instructional practices.
  3. Conduct monthly Kid Talks to review interventions and monitor student progress.
  4. Implement coaching cycles to provide modeling and mentoring to build teacher capacity to increase student achievement and create supportive class communities.

Increase the percentage of students making typical growth on the iReady Reading MTSS Screener Assessment

Winter 2023 Results:

Tier 1 48%

Tier 2 35%

Tier 3 17%

Target Winter 2024:

Tier 1 60%

Tier 2 15%

Tier 3 15%

Increase the percentage of students making typical growth on the iReady Math MTSS Screener Assessment

Winter 2023 Results:

Tier 1 43%

Tier 2 43%

Tier 3 14%

Target Winter 2024:

Tier 1 60%

Tier 2 15%

Tier 3 15%
Excellence 4.A - Preferred Education Destination

We will cultivate school quality, climate, and culture that is student-centered and committed to the success of each and every child.
  1. Continue Student Council meetings with the principal to foster student voice.
  2. Implement project-based lessons during Specials time to facilitate learning experiences that are co-authored by students.
  3. Continue college and career lessons.
  4. Host quarterly teacher input/feedback sessions during CLTs.

Education Effectiveness Survey - Students (Supportive Learning Environment)

Spring 2023 Results: 49%

Target Spring 2024: 55%
Family Engagement/Building Parent Capacity -

We will build our parents' capacity to support their children's academic achievement by implementing the activities identified in The Plan/The Promise.
  1. Build staff and parent capacity to support learning at home.
  2. Implement two family engagement events to support literacy and math.
  3. Implement monthly family engagement lunch and learns.
  4. Foster two-way communication between the school and family using ParentSquare and ClassDojo.
  5. Empower family voice via Knight quarterly Family Talks.

Educational Effectiveness Survey (EES Survey) – Family (Supportive Learning Environment)

Spring 2023 Results: 88%

Target Spring 2024: 93%