National conference to highlight success of Tefft school in Streamwood

Tefft Middle School in Streamwood has been selected by the National Association of Secondary School Principals and the Center for Secondary School Redesign to present at the Breaking Ranks 2014 School Showcase in Dallas in February as a part of the 2014 NASSP annual conference.

Tefft is one of 22 secondary schools in the nation selected to present their story of success. Schools will share their strategies for overcoming challenges, leveraging resources and raising student achievement.

“We are grateful for the opportunity to share our best practices with educators throughout the nation,” said Tefft Principal Lavonne Smiley.

“The reward for us is knowing other schools will benefit from our model of using student data to shape continuous improvement efforts.”

On Feb. 6, Smiley, along with Tefft’s Valerie Albuck, Keith Molof and Dan Proctor, will deliver a 90-minute presentation, “Creating and Sustaining a Culture of Accountability through the Power of Transparency and Data.”

They will highlight the use of student data journals, required student-led parent teacher conferences, and utilizing professional learning communities to respond to data.

“We are so proud that Tefft is not only a model in our district; it is a model across the nation,” said Elgin Area U-46 Superintendent José M. Torres. “I am sure Principal Smiley and her team will come back from the conference with stories that will benefit U-46 about what other districts are doing to improve students’ academic performance.”

A team from Tefft also presented at the NASSP’s annual conference in 2011 in San Francisco and in 2012 in Tampa. School officials have been asked back due to the popularity of their presentation.