Programming to Improve Student Achievement
What is differentiation? Differentiation is a set of teaching strategies that help teachers respond to the learning differences in their students. Differentiation is being aware of how we teach and being knowledgeable about how our students learn so that students can reach their learning goals. In the elementary schools, one way differentiation looks is through the use of flexible grouping in reading and math. A student’s skill level is frequently assessed and then instruction is designed to best match that skill level.
The high school matches instruction to students at the 8th grade level by having students take a semester course called Differentiated Math. The 7th and 8th grade students have an option of taking a year-long MCA Reading course. The high school offers concurrent enrollment courses in English and history. Applied Learning Initiative (ALI) courses are available for students to take and earn college credits. We also have a variety of Career and Technical courses for students to enroll in.
Mt. Iron-Buhl High School Catalog
A 7th through 12th grade I-pad initiative took place in January of 2014. Using iPads in the classroom opens up a world of possibilities for educational materials but also provides many opportunities to make teaching more transparent and the students more accountable.
The high school offers Homework Help every Tuesday and Thursday from 3:15-4:30 and at lunch time from 11:55 to 12:25 Monday through Friday to provide students with extra support with homework.
Indian Education is part of a consortium that provides district-wide support for our Native American population. Academic Journey supports our American Indian students in 9th through 12th grade in choosing and preparing for a post-secondary option. One day a week a tutor is available for our American Indian students to make sure the students are receiving the extra help they may need to become academically successful.
At the elementary level Sum Dog, a math software program, has provided additional math support for students in grades 3 through 6.
What opportunities are there for enrichment? Each school offers unique opportunities for students to extend their learning. From Science Club to Drama to Knowledge Bowl and Speech, opportunities are plentiful. Another amazing resource for opportunities is our Mt. Iron-Buhl Community Education. Take the opportunity to experience one of their offerings.
Students' Successful Transition to Post-Secondary
Special Education
NSEC Initial Referral Form for Child Study Team Meetings
Alternative Learning Center
All Students Ready for Kindergarten
Title I Plan
Aswritten in MN Statute 120B.12, a school district must adopt a localliteracy plan to have every child reading at or above grade level nolater than the end of grade 3. A local literacy “plan must include aprocess to assess students' level of reading proficiency, notify andinvolve parents, intervene with students who are not reading at or abovegrade level, and identify and meet staff development needs. Thedistrict must post its literacy plan on the official school district Website.”
Reading Well by Third Grade is one of many developmentalmilestones in a child’s educational experience. Literacy developmentstarts at an early age and is the basis for all academic success.Reading Well by Grade Three ensures that a student has a solidfoundation of literacy skills to continue to expand their understandingsof what they read, make meaning, and transfer that learning across allsubject areas. Instruction that provides the basis for all students toread well by third grade and beyond will help close the achievement gapand ensure that all students are ready for the demands of college andthe workplace. From cradle to career, a sustained effort to createquality literacy environments in all of our schools and programs frombirth through grade 12 promotes academic success.
Goals and Objectives
The ISD #712 Mt. Iron-Buhl School District Literacy Plan describes thedistrict’s practices and procedures to reach the goal of having allstudents, by the end of their third grade year, reach or exceedsproficiency as measured by the MCA-III Reading Assessment.
Third Grade Reading Plan
