A recent evaluation on instructional quality and improvement of Chehalis’ classrooms shows a 23 percentage-point increase in Powerful Teaching and Learning.
The student-centered program used by The BERC Group, an independent evaluation, research and consulting firm, helps build conceptual skills and knowledge within classrooms.
According to a press release, the Chehalis School District launched its Student Achievement Initiative in 2014 with a goal of increasing the effectiveness of education to help prepare students for college and careers. The objective was to increase the percentage of Chehalis students who go on to earn four-year college degrees from 20 percent to 60 percent in the next decade.
The initiative came after receiving recommendations following a districtwide review conducted by The BERC Group in the fall of 2013. Since then, the group has continued its work with the district and is funded by the Chehalis Foundation.
“A 23 percentage-point increase is a big deal for a whole district,” Duane Baker, president of The BERC Group, said. “All of the Chehalis schools have made progress: Some have approached, reached or exceeded the goal of 80 percent Powerful Teaching and Learning in the school.”
In fall of 2013, only 37 percent of the classrooms aligned with Powerful Teaching and Learning. Now the districtwide score is up to 60 percent.
The Chehalis School District showed the most districtwide change than any other district The BERC Group gathered data on. According to the press release, Baker said the group had conducted approximately 40,000 classroom observations across the country over the last decade.
Data gathered in November of 2013 by The BERC Group was used to set district goals aimed at aligning instructional practices with research-based best practices.
“It is not easy to change instructional behavior,” Baker said. “Just like it is not easy to change other kinds of human behavior, but the way Chehalis has approached their work, and the willingness of the staff to embrace the challenge of changing instructional habits, has been in a word, amazing.”
Orin Smith, W.F. West graduate and former Starbucks CEO, said he is convinced the effort will directly enhance opportunities for Chehalis students.
“Through the Chehalis Foundation, my family and Jim Lintott have contributed to funding The BERC Group, as well as enhancing STEM education in the Chehalis schools,” he said. “We are really impressed with the way the teachers and the administrators are advancing educational quality.”
