Leaders at the Morgan Hill Unified School District have a strong
plan to ensure the future success of our local students
This will be the first of many columns I will be writing to the Morgan Hill Community in an effort to communicate to the public concerning our school district.
First, I would like to thank the Board of Education for allowing me to be superintendent of the Morgan Hill Unified School District.
I believe together as a team we will be able to provide an even better education for our students, the future citizens of our community. I would also like to thank all of the wonderful individuals who have made themselves available to meet with me and discuss a variety of issues not only related to education but the community as a whole.
We believe that the single most important aspect of our district is student achievement. I often state, “If you have no target, you surely won’t hit it.”
Therefore, each decision that we make must be focused on increasing student achievement, while also preparing our students to be viable and productive citizens when they reach adulthood.
The target we set for all of our students must be high. Rigorous academic standards in all of our classrooms for every child must be our goal.
Over the past eight months I have had the privilege and opportunity to visit and meet with staff at every school and have found our conversations to be not only informative but inspiring.
Several major topics have consistently emerged, including: 1) Use of technology for our students and teachers; 2) Alignment of what we teach, how we teach, and what we assess; 3) Staff development so that all employees can continue to grow professionally; 4) Collaboration time, where educators can meet to improve how they deliver instruction to students; and 5) Alternative ways of educating students, such as, online learning, electronic curriculum, and college credit from Gavilan Community College while attending high school.
Technology
Technology can be an invaluable tool for students, teachers, and educational leaders, and we have introduced new technology programs to the District this school year.
These programs are designed to enhance communication with parents, provide valuable data analysis of student performance on standardized tests, and offer online classes to students for remediation as well as enrichment.
Curriculum Alignment, Staff Development and Collaboration
Our Educational Services Department has placed a priority on aligning textbooks across the district to state standards, as well as bringing consistency to the literacy curriculum by providing training to all teachers to use the state and district approved Houghton Mifflin curriculum.
Grade level sessions for K-5 teachers are scheduled throughout the 2005-06 and 2006-07 school years. These training sessions include in-depth study of content standards, curriculum, assessment and instructional strategies.
They will also provide time for professional collaboration. Staff is also working with the school sites to consolidate and articulate the math course offerings from kindergarten through twelfth grade so that every student will complete Algebra I by the end of eighth grade. All core curriculum is being aligned to the State Testing and Reporting (STAR) Program.
Alternative Education
We have implemented several online programs to allow students to advance or remediate in core subject areas. High school students who have not passed the California High School Exit Exam (CAHSEE) have the following opportunities: 1) Online instruction, which includes local as well as long distance tutors; 2) Specifically designed math and English/language arts courses within the school day or in summer school; and 3) Before or after school tutoring.
A program is being developed in partnership with Gavilan Community College, which will allow high school students to take college courses on our high school campuses.
At the elementary and middle school level, students and teachers are piloting an online program that allows students to remediate or advance in core subject areas. Built in assessments allow teachers to track student achievement and tailor instruction to meet individual student needs.
It is my hope that each and every member of the Morgan Hill Unified School District Community will join our team and share our vision for excellence as we strive to produce students who are second to none.
Superintendent Alan Nishino, State of OUr Schools Address
