Superintendent Newsletter
|
Coos Bay School's District Office Leadership Team |
It's been an excellent start to the school year! Our K-6 students have completed their diagnostic assessments in reading and math and have transitioned into their What I Need (WIN) interventions. These interventions are tailored to their specific learning needs, ensuring every student gets the support they require.
At the junior high and high school levels, students are successfully adjusting to our new bell schedule. This change was implemented to provide more dedicated time for interventions, helping to ensure academic success for all.
Coos Bay School District is committed to improving academic outcomes for our students. We will continue this work through improved administrative leadership, teacher development and accountability, and a focus on student engagement.
We value your feedback as we continue to improve our schools. Please take a moment to fill out the survey at the bottom of this newsletter and help us better understand the community's viewpoint.
|
Oregon’s Accountability Framework is how the state measures and supports school success. Rather than focusing only on test scores, the framework looks at several key areas: student achievement, student growth, regular attendance, graduation rates, English learner progress, and school climate/student engagement. These measures create a more complete picture of how schools are serving students and ensure that we are paying attention to the whole student experience, not just academics.
For our schools, this framework is both a guide and a tool for improvement. It helps us celebrate where students are doing well, identify areas where we can do better, and make sure resources are directed to the students and programs that need them most. Most importantly, it reflects our commitment to equity—ensuring that every student has access to the support, opportunities, and encouragement they need to succeed. Families are an essential part of this process, and your partnership helps us continue to grow stronger together.
Framework Measures at a Glance:
- 📚 Student Achievement – How well students meet grade-level expectations in core subjects.
- 📈 Student Growth – The progress students make over time, showing improvement from year to year.
- 🏫 Regular Attendance – How consistently students attend school, with a focus on reducing chronic absenteeism.
- 🎓 Graduation Rates – The percentage of students graduating on time and prepared for their next steps.
- 🌎 English Learner Progress – How well students learning English gain language skills to succeed academically.
- 🤝 School Climate & Student Engagement – How safe, supported, and connected students feel at school, often measured through surveys.
|
Good attendance is one of the strongest predictors of student success. Research from Attendance Works ( Home - Attendance Works), a national organization focused on improving student attendance, shows that when students miss too much school, they fall behind academically and socially. The Oregon Department of Education defines a regular attender as a student who is present at least 90% of the school year—that’s no more than about 17 missed days in a full year. The state also expects districts, including ours, to ensure at least 90% of students meet this standard.
In our school district, attendance is a Key Performance Indicator (KPI), meaning it is one of the most important measures of our overall success. Regular attendance ensures students are connected to their teachers, classmates, and learning opportunities every day. Families play a crucial role in helping students build strong attendance habits, and together we can make sure every child has the best chance to learn, grow, and thrive.
|
We are excited to announce the launch of our new Student Success Committee. The committee is already hard at work, focused on three key areas:
-
Policy Analysis: Reviewing and proposing new policy language to better support the needs of all students.
-
School Climate Survey: Developing a comprehensive survey to gather student feedback on their school experience.
-
Student Thriving: Brainstorming creative solutions to ensure every student has the opportunity to succeed and thrive.
"The mission of the Student Success Committee is to ensure that every student has the opportunity to achieve their full academic and personal potential. We are dedicated to identifying and dismantling barriers to success, ensuring that all students have a fair and just opportunity to thrive. We believe that with the right support, resources, and a commitment to removing systemic obstacles, every student has the inherent capacity to succeed."
|
|
Recognitions
Dual Enrollment
- MHS offers more dual credit and advanced placement courses than any other school on the south coast.
- 44% of MHS students are enrolled in an AP class, 9% higher than the national average
- 40% of students at MHS posted a qualify score on an AP test, more than 18% higher than the state average.
Math Progress
- Our K-6 students who tested at grade level grew by 37% last year between the beginning of year assessment to the end of the year assessment.
- 12 students in 6th grade at Sunset and Millicoma are traveling to Marshfield Junior High to take advanced math coursework (our first time sending 6th grade to the junior high).
- 25% of 8th grade students are taking Algebra I or higher at MHS, higher than the state and national average.
Reading
- Our elementary school ELA curriculum is grounded in the Science of Reading, a framework fully supported by the Oregon Response to Instruction & Intervention. This commitment to evidence-based instruction has earned us recognition from the Oregon Department of Education (ODE).
|
|
|
1. Raise the academic expectations and outcomes of the district with alignment to the state accountability metrics; 3rd grade reading, 8th grade math, 9th grade on-track, 4 & 5 year graduation rate, K-2 attendance, and a still to be determined local metric.
2. Develop a long-term plan for the future of Alternative Education in the Coos Bay School District and prioritize: Destinations Academy, Pre-Kindergarten, Teen Parent Program, Resource Link Charter School, CBD9 Online School, and potential Child Care Program.
3. Report progress on goals monthly (Board Meetings).
4. Investigate and establish the need for additional programs in the districts, including CTE, co-curriculars and after-school opportunities.
5. Administer at least two community and student surveys focusing on climate and student voice. Results will be analyzed and shared with constituents and findings will be used to inform district decision-making and guide improvement.
|
|
As part of our commitment to student success, our district has established Key Performance Indicators, or KPIs, which are measurable goals we aim to accomplish by 2028. These indicators help us focus on the areas that matter most for student learning, engagement, and overall achievement.
-
Attendance: We aim for 90% of students to attend school regularly. Consistent attendance is critical for academic success.
-
Reading and Math Proficiency: We are setting a goal for 70% of students to reach grade-level proficiency, ensuring strong foundational skills in literacy and numeracy.
-
Science Proficiency (JH & HS): 70% of students should demonstrate proficiency in science, preparing them for future STEM opportunities.
-
Course Enrollment: We aim for at least 50% of students to be enrolled in advanced courses such as Algebra 1, AP, or dual college courses, supporting higher-level learning.
-
Co-Curricular and Arts Enrollment: We are committed to 100% participation in music (grades 3–6) and strong participation in co-curricular activities, recognizing the value of arts, athletics, and clubs in student development.
-
High School Graduation: 100% of students should complete high school within four years, ensuring all students are on track for postsecondary opportunities.
-
CTE Concentrators: We aim for 50% of students to engage in Career and Technical Education pathways, preparing them for college and careers.
These KPIs provide a roadmap for our schools and community. They reflect our focus on academic achievement, well-rounded education, and opportunities that prepare students for success beyond high school. By working together—staff, families, and community members—we can reach these goals and ensure every student has the support and opportunities they need to thrive.
|
|
|
|
Additional settings for Safari Browser.
