Happy Friday!
Research shows what we have long known: teachers make all the difference! In fact, teacher effectiveness is the single most important factor affecting students' academic growth. Unfortunately, the reverse is also true. One study found that students who had been taught by three highly effective teachers in a row scored above the 80th percentile in mathematics, while those taught by ineffective teachers scored below the 50th percentile in the subject by the end of the third year! Nothing else mattered nearly as much – not class size, not economics, not other similar factors.
We do, however, also find that lower student to teacher ratios in the lower grades also contribute to increased student performance as noted in another study done in TN while Lamar Alexander was Governor: https://edsource.org/wp-content/uploads/old/STAR.pdf
I have long held that TEACHERS are one of our most precious influences through the development of our children. However,
Nationwide, 44% of school districts reported vacancies last spring, and teachers suffer from burnout more than any other segment of the workforce.
The National Education Association recently estimated a shortage of 300,000 teachers.
More than half of school districts across the country report they struggle to recruit and retain qualified STEM teachers.
But did you know of the work we have been doing in BGR-1 to address these issues over the last five years? Below is an excerpt from our Five Year Strategic Plan:
Highly Qualified Workforce
Goal:
We will devise a comprehensive system designed to attract and employ teachers whose commitment and outlook toward our students are a match for our mission and vision; develop and enhance the skill of those teachers; and identify incentives to retain talented and effective teachers. Teacher attrition rates will decline from above 11% in 2017 to below 5% by 2024. In 2020, 2021, and 2022, teacher attrition has gone from 11% to 8% to 3.5% and is far below state and national averages of 8% and 11% all while maintaining five days a week and consistent learning environments for our students and families. This goal is MET
Teacher morale will improve from engagement score of 35% in 2018 to 55% in 2022 as measured by the Top 50 Workplaces study. This goal is MET with scores above 55% in 2021 and 2022.
The percent of staff members with advanced degrees will increase from 44.3% in 2017 to 50% by 2021. This goal is MET and was above 50% in 2020 and 2021.
Focus Statement: Our business is developing teachers with a passion for students and a commitment to their craft.
Additionally, the BGR-1 School District has improved our Student to Teacher Ratios to meet or exceed all DESE standards so the majority of our classrooms are far below the limits set by our state.
We know that it is important to our families to have highly effective teachers in a stable and productive and safe environment in order for our students to learn. To thank our teachers for their sacrifices, and to celebrate last week’s World Teachers’ Day, we pause to appreciate our teachers for their commitment to our community and the work to shape our great minds for their future success.
Good luck to our football team tonight and remember to bring food items as we Tackle Hunger!
Good luck to our softball team playing for the district championship at Orchard Farm!
Good luck to our cross-country team as they compete in their conference meet tomorrow at North Callaway!
We hope to see you at our secondary choir concert Tuesday night at the BGHS Auditorium and Parent Teacher Conferences the following week on Thursday from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Take good care, and have a great weekend!
Matthew L. Frederickson, PhD
Superintendent
Bowling Green R-1 School District
700 West Adams Street
Bowling Green, MO 63334
Phone: 573-324-5441
Fax: 573-324-2439 http://www.bgschools.k12.mo.us/
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