GLPS Families,
As we wrap up our second week of the school year, I wanted to take a moment to reach out to you to celebrate some successes here at GLPS. We appreciate your flexibility and support as we have worked to get the 2022-2023 school year off the ground, and we are continuing to strive to ensure that we are building a strong foundation for this school year.
A couple of items of particular note:
1. As you may have heard, last spring’s M-STEP state testing scores were released. We know that standardized testing scores are only one measure of a district’s success, but they are important. We can always improve, and we need to strive to make sure all students are proficient, but here are a couple of highlights from our M-STEP success last spring:
- Each year we want more and more kids to become proficient, so we pay close attention to see how a group of kids (a cohort) does from one year to the next. So, for example, we look at how a group of kids did in 3rd grade and compare it to how they did in 4th grade. This year, every cohort of students from 3rd through 8th grade had at least an 8% jump in reading proficiency from 2021 to 2022. All cohorts but one had at least a 3% jump in math proficiency over that time as well.
- GLPS average proficiency was higher than the state average and higher than, or on par with, most mid Michigan schools in all grade levels and subjects.
- To view an overview of our scores, please click here.
- While we did not see as much growth in math as we did in literacy, we are excited to launch our new math program, Reveal, this fall to address some of the gaps. Reveal is designed to meet students where they are and help them move forward in their learning.
- Here at GLPS, 97.4% met the required threshold required by the third grade reading law. On average, 94.2% of third graders across the state met the score threshold. So, again, we outperformed the state in this area as well. In addition, across the state, the number of third graders who did not meet the threshold increased by 1% from 2021-2022, while at GLPS, our number actually decreased by 1.7%.
2. Our new facilities, as a result of the bond, are in full swing. Students are using the pool and the track, and Holbrook and Beagle are in full operation. The high school fine arts and athletic project is making great progress, and work is beginning at Delta Center. Thanks to your support, the bond project is transforming GLPS and creating safe, state of the art learning environments for our students.
3. We are working to operationalize the strategic plan that the board approved last spring. As a reminder, here is the district mission, vision, beliefs, and focus areas:
We are excited about the potential and possibility that a new school year brings, and thankful that we have the opportunity to partner with you in your child’s education. We value the diversity that our families bring to our district, and continue to strive every day to ensure that we are creating a welcoming and affirming learning environment that allows our students to reach their goals while they are here with us and after they graduate. We appreciate you and our community, and look forward to building on our successes. As always, I am #proudtobeacomet!
Sincerely,
Dr. Bill Barnes
Superintendent of Schools
