Objective+3


 * Objective 3: Analyze assessments and implement interventions to make improvements**

of John S. Battle High School. The change in leadership within the department was a result of low scores on the SOL in two content areas: World History II and VA & U.S. History. The task handed down from our Principal was to find ways to improve the SOL scores for the social studies department.
 * Date || Time started || Time ended || Number of hours || Description of activities ||
 * 06/12/12 ||= 8:00 ||= 4:00 ||= 8 || Read //Ahead of the Curve: The Power of Assessment to Transform Teaching and Learning.// ||
 * 08/09/12 ||= 9:00 AM ||= 10:00 AM ||= 1 || Conducted first social studies department meeting at John Battle High School. ||
 * 09/12/12 ||= 3:30 ||= 4:30 ||= 1 || Conducted second social studies department meeting at John Battle. ||
 * 10/24/12 ||= 3:30 ||= 4:30 ||= 1 || Led the third social studies department meeting at John Battle. ||
 * 10/21/12 ||= 6:30 AM ||= 8:00 AM ||= 1.5 || Compiled reflections for Objective 3. ||
 * Reflections and learning |||||||| After being named the chair of the social studies department in the Spring of 2012 I have devoted a lot of time to analyzing the SOL scores

Besides the SOL scores there are several other assessments that are being analyzed by our social studies teachers. The year began with each teacher giving a pre-test in their content area to gauge the knowledge of their students. Three benchmark tests are given throughout the semester to determine how the students are progressing and also identify weaknesses that will need to be reviewed. I was able to serve on a benchmark test revision team over the summer. The members of this team put forth their best effort to make these test questions as similar to the SOL exams as possible. Teachers in our department are also using chapter tests, unit tests, quizzes, bellringers, and closure activities to continually assess the students.

As department chair, I have implemented several changes to meet the challenge of improving the SOL scores. The first adjustment was to increase the amount of department meetings that were taking place during the school year. We are currently meeting once every month as a department. In the past we only met twice a semester. This change allows for more collaboration time and the opportunity to discuss strategies that are working in each of our classrooms. Another addition that was implemented was to have two days of tutoring made available to the students before and after school. Students use this time to make up missing assignments or discuss any areas of content that need to be reinforced. Participation from the students has been low but our department is hoping for an increase as we near SOL testing dates. Washington County has purchased new textbooks for the 2012-2013 school year. The textbook companies have provided a vast amount of supplemental materials that we are hoping will help to increase the SOL scores and student achievement. I have encouraged our social studies teachers to reach out to the community and invite guest speakers into the school as well as identify locations for field trips to get the students out of the classroom. Two of our U.S. History classes will take their first field trip to the Muster Grounds in Abingdon next month. Our department is contacting the parents of students when they seepoor results at the end of the grading period. This strategy has helped in improving the effort being put forth by the students. ||
 * Reading(s) |||||||| Reeves, D. (2007). //Ahead of the curve: The power of assessment to transform teaching and learning//. Bloomington, IN: Solution Tree. ||