Effective student learning vital in West Holmes schools

  • By Lucille L. Hastings
  • March 4, 2010
  • 719
                        
Today there is talk of the value of going “back to basics” in American education. The truth is, while those basics such as math, English, and government are the essentials, new skills and innovative teaching methods are the key to preparing our students for successful living in the 21st century. West Holmes schools have enjoyed impressive success with innovative learning that builds on educational basics, including acclaimed literacy and math programs, all-day-everyday kindergarten, Project EASE, AARP financial classes, and a variety of academic specialties. There is extensive proof of the success of melding basic with new teaching techniques. West Holmes High School (WHHS) is ranked excellent for the fifth consecutive year by the Ohio Department of Education and has a graduation rate of 93.7 percent. The profile for the class of 2009 indicated 58 percent of graduating seniors planned to attend college and those students received $2,449,044 in scholarships. West Holmes educators realize that a fast changing world requires students shaped by modern teaching and teaching methods. Innovative, exciting learning is going on today in local schools. One new teaching method is the Classroom Performance System (CPS). High school teachers Kate Smith, Ryan Dye, and Kyle Kindboom share a set of student CPS clickers in their math, CP Algebra, and physics classes. Students respond via the clicker to teacher’s questions simultaneously. The teacher, via computer screen, can instantly know the combined answers, indicating the percentage of correct answers. In this system every student responds to every question. Judging from these responses, the teacher may move on or review, as the class understands the concept. “It is an exciting idea that I can continually check each student’s progress simultaneously so none are left behind. There is immediate feedback on tests. The kids are really engaged and love this system,” explained Dye. The three teachers collaborated to write a Martha Holden Jennings Foundation Grant, which funded the CPS units for the classrooms. Another method used to stimulate student learning is to offer new course selections. New classes for the 2010-2011 school year will include: Business Technology, Introduction to 3D Animation, Desktop Publishing, Interactive Game Programming, Introduction to Computer Support, Digital Imaging, and Web Design. “With the increased use of technology, classes in computer troubleshooting and Web design are much in demand as a career or as preparation for college,” stressed Bill Sterling, West Holmes High School principal. “Our curriculum already contains a wide range of courses from organic and biochemistry, geology, and astronomy to woodworking. We cannot go wrong with technology.” Dave Rhoades, business education teacher at WHHS, is adding QuickBooks Accounting Pro to his software for accounting the last nine weeks of 2009-2010. “Accounting students have a sound foundation in accounting so that adding QuickBook, which is an industry standard, will be a good exposure for students. Universities use it and it is a standard for businesses. The kids are excited, anxious to participate,” commented Rhoades. “We have used the computer program Excel, which breaks the regular accounting routine. Students who can do computer support combined with math, logic, and some creativity can write their own ticket in the work place,” he added. ProgressBook is an innovative tool for teachers. ProgressBook is a classroom management system, which supports the most recent K-12 standards-based educational practices. It correlates a student’s academic performance to the educational standards set by the Ohio Department of Education. Combining a grade book, attendance, lesson plans, report cards, special services, and parent contacts into a single software solution better monitors student progress. A strong, successful educational system relies on valuable teachers, interested students, caring parents, and an efficient, creative learning environment.


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