Students, teachers to face new challenges in District 76

Students and teachers in Diamond Lake Elementary District 76 will face steeper learning curves as a part of a restructuring plan to improve achievement.

"It has become very evident to me what is expected of our staff - not just by us," school board President Lisa Yaffe said. "The amount of change required is tremendous."

Mandated by poor performance, the restructuring plan also is intended for the long haul.

"These are things that have to happen," board member Brian Walker said. "We're not just focusing on the next six months or year.

The comments came at the end of a modestly attended public forum Tuesday that followed three parent focus groups during the past two weeks.

Those gatherings have been part of an intense effort by the district that began in December as officials - with input from parents, teachers and others - determined the best option to meet federal standards under the No Child Left Behind Act.

Last summer, the district learned Diamond Lake School did not meet state achievement standards and adequate yearly progress (AYP) proficiency targets. Students in five classifications, including the all student group, missed the mark in reading and/or mathematics.

Because Diamond Lake School failed to meet the standards for five years, it was classified as being in restructuring by the state. When that happens, districts are given options to raise scores as measured by the Illinois Standards Achievement Test.

Those restructuring options include: reopening as a charter school; replacing all or most of the school staff; contracting with an outside entity to run the school; or, implementing other reforms, which can include reconfiguring grades and closing buildings.

After rejecting the idea of firing staff or contracting out, a special district improvement committee determined the remaining choices would take too long to meet the 2014-15 school year deadline,

So, the preferred path will be to expand and enhance changes in curriculum, student assessment, instruction and leadership that already have occurred.

"We're kind of building off things in those categories that are already in place, as well as incorporating new ideas," said Carlie Owens, director of pupil services and special education.

A revised math curriculum and intervention programs for students struggling in reading and math, for example, are new this school year. Offerings for gifted students are under consideration.

Teachers are being advised the pending changes will require technology upgrades and ongoing professional development.

Parents, like Dino Vlahos, who has a fourth-grader at Diamond Lake School, said he is concerned teachers are being given enough time to adjust and learn the new teaching methods, curriculum and technologies.

Community support, especially among minority families, will be a key to turning around the district, he added. But the district also has to communicate the initiatives and what is expected of students and parents.

The detailed formal restructuring plan is expected to be approved next week by the board, then submitted to the state for approval. While tailored to Diamond Lake, it also will apply to West Oak Middle and Fairhaven schools.