There are a number of factors that affect student achievement in schools, and these factors are supported by research. There are basically six variables that rise to the top when the factors affecting student achievement are studied in detail.
Leadership - leadership, whether group leadership or individuals, that integrates or influences efforts toward commonly accepted goals. At Alta-Aurelia these past five years, we have focused on improving math and reading throughout the system. That focus will continue into the 2016-17 school year.
Personnel - teacher and other teaching personnel that are trained in current best practice. We spend time throughout the school year on professional development activities (teacher training) targeted at improving instructional strategies at all grade levels. Professional development delivered is consistent from one year to the next and targeted on improving literacy and/or math skills as the intended outcome.
Finances - high performing districts also tend to have their finances in order and allocate funds in an effort to improve student achievement. We are investing funds toward updating our enacted curriculum and purchasing materials, equipment, and technology aligned with that curriculum. This is to ensure that our teachers have the tools at their disposal to use current best practices in instructing our children.
Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment - all need to be aligned, organized for instruction, and delivered with curricular objectives in mind. Having a guaranteed and viable curriculum, I rank as being the most important factor, and has the greatest impact on student achievement.
Community - parents and other community groups, and how they engage with the school, has an impact on a school's effectiveness.
Facilities - here lies the focus of this article. Everyone enjoys having nice school facilities. We often don't take into consideration the actual impact those facilities have on student learning. A range of studies have been conducted on this topic alone and the findings support the idea that the facilities most definitely do have an impact on teaching and learning.
Factors such as, indoor air quality, ventilation, heating/cooling comforts, lighting, acoustics, building quality, school size, and class size, all have an affect on learning. Spacial configurations, noise, heat, cold, light and air quality obviously bear on students' and teachers' ability to perform. Needed are clean air, good lighting, and a quiet, comfortable, and safe learning environment.
Those associated most closely with Alta-Aurelia Schools know that continuous improvement in our facilities has been an on going effort starting six years ago in preparation for the whole grade sharing. These efforts need to continue and will. Additional facility renovations are being planned to add classroom and flexible spaces, improved HVAC systems, improved lighting, and to ensure student/staff safety.
Many of these project go somewhat unnoticed, but beginning this summer more substantial changes will begin with the transformation of the Aurelia building's third floor. This will include renovating and updating classroom space, adding A/C, new lockers on third and first floors, and a facelift of the third floor library. Modern furnishing are being purchased as well.
Further renovations are being planned in Alta with the addition of classroom space, a possible cafeteria, improved HVAC systems. A facility study is being conducted this Spring using the Iowa Construction Advocacy Team (ICAT) and from that study, recommendations will be made to the Alta board on the best course of action. Ideally, projects in Alta would begin sometime during the 2016-17 school year.
There are also plans under discussion for improvements to our athletic facilities as well. Refinishing of the High School gym floor, as well as Track renovations.
