Measuring Success

Topics: Pandemic Leadership

Question: How do you measure success in your school during these unprecedented times?

Continuous learning. Success is measured through a variety of ways. First and foremost, our students have been able to continuously learn, whether at home or at school. Families feel secure sending their children to our school, knowing that we are doing everything that we can to keep their children safe and healthy.

—Julie Bloss (@BlossJulie), Grove Early Childhood Center, Grove, Oklahoma

Multiple measurements. [We track] staff morale, student engagement, growth on common assessments, and attendance rates.

—Jessica Gomez (@mrsjessgomez), Alice Birney Elementary School, Colton, California

Seeing the entirety. We’re taking a wholistic view of success that includes social-emotional learning, connection, belonging, and academic achievement. Our team looks at a variety of metrics including attendance, engagement, formative assessments during classroom/Zoom lessons and conversations, and observations and feedback shared by families.

—Brad Gustafson (@GustafsonBrad), Greenwood Elementary School, Plymouth, Minnesota

By establishing a hybrid model. Hybrid schooling is helping students catch up with educational gaps during remote teaching.

—Henry McCain, Clayton Junior High School, Clayton, New Mexico

Continued growth. Measures of success haven’t changed; we measure it by growth in all areas—academic, social, and emotional. We work to meet students where they are, provide the support needed to grow, and assess growth along the way.

—Christopher Bailey (@stixbailey), Clack Middle School, Abilene, Texas

Examining engagement. I have measured success through student engagement. Whether we are virtual, face to face, or hybrid, the amount of student engagement and participation should best inform us about how we are reaching the needs of all learners.

—Amy Mason (@AMasonPrincipal), Madison County Elementary School, Gurley, Alabama

Tracking the data. We continue to monitor student learning by examining benchmark data and student performance trends. We continue to reflect and collaborate around student work and brainstorm the best ways to meet student needs.

—Ashley Aldridge Wilson (@dr_aldridge), Nolan Elementary School, Signal Mountain, Tennessee

Success is a feeling. We have focused our measures of success on the amount of JOY in the building and being able to support the needs of our students, staff, and families during the pandemic.

—Allyson Apsey (@AllysonApsey), Quincy Elementary School, Zeeland, Michigan

Seeing smiles. Student participation, student growth, and when you get to see a smile during those brief mask breaks. We are also working very hard to keep staff positive and motivated, and to ensure they feel appreciated. We are a team.

—Courtney Monterecy (@cmonterecy), Mary E. Fogarty Elementary School, Providence, Rhode Island

Points for participation. Attendance and participation are keys to success. If students attend and actively participate, that helps with the momentum of learning.

—Edward Cosentino (@PrincipalECos), Clemens Crossing Elementary School, Columbia, Maryland

Looking for progress. I believe we need to look at progress and not perfection. We have many students who are making a lot of progress despite situations that are very difficult to learn in.

—Matthew Moyer (@moyermatthewd), Rupert Elementary School, Pottstown, Pennsylvania

Togetherness in tough times. Success is learning together and growing into better, stronger communities because of these circumstances.

—Missie Patschke (@MelissaPatschke), Upper Providence Elementary School, Royersford, Pennsylvania

By giving data context. Data metrics during the pandemic haven’t changed, [but] they have broadened and deserve contextual analysis. Student achievement data is needed to gauge learning loss and target specific support for unfinished learning. We now can include parent relationships as a success, since they have risen to the challenge and supported student learning at a new level. We celebrate these relationships, as well as the new skills that students, parents, and staff have learned over the past year

—Rachel Roberts (@columbia_elem), Columbia Elementary School, Palm Bay, Florida

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