Caverna makes big improvements, according to audit, removed from state assistance
Published 9:00 am Monday, June 12, 2017
After years of work, Caverna Independent Schools has been removed from state assistance after Caverna High School was named a priority school by the state in 2009.
“It’s been one of those things where you work so hard you want to finally see some results,” said Superintendent Cornelius Faulkner, adding that the district plans to implement new procedures and practices to improve instruction.
“Student achievement needs to increase. So that’s our next step,” he said.
Assistant Superintendent Amanda Abell said the state board of education’s recent decision has teachers and administrators excited.
“They’ve worked very hard to put some new practices into place, and this kind of gives them a great feeling of accomplishment,” Abell said.
After Caverna High School was deemed a priority school in 2009, a diagnostic review in 2014 left the district with 17 priorities.
A recent state audit moved the district to just three improvement priorities, according to a news release from the district.
The three priorities center on teaching and assessing for learning, using results to inform continuous improvement and purpose and direction.
Abell said some of the changes already implemented include teachers meeting in teams to use data to inform their instruction and changing instruction and assessments to be more rigorous.
“We’ve just been working really hard on putting these systems and processes in place,” Abell said.
Faulkner thanked teachers and other personnel for the district’s recent success and said he’s “proud of the accomplishment of this district. …
“Caverna Schools is on the right track,” Faulkner said in the release. “We have the right people in the right places and are making significant strides. We are very proud of our administrators and teachers. We have a great group of passionate educators committed to student success. I feel confident in being able to address each of our new improvement priorities. The future is bright at Caverna Independent Schools.”
– Follow reporter Jackson French on Twitter @Jackson_French or visit bgdailynews.com.
