3 Year Improvement Plan Literacy 2013-2016
Targets
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To develop a whole-school approach to the teaching of comprehension skills and develop higher order thinking skills
To increase the average score of comprehension within the school as identified in the Drumcondra Reading analysis by 2 % each
year over the next three years. Our target group are those in 17th-50th [PR 32.6%] to increase to 34% and 51st- 84th PR [ 30.7]
to increase to 34% in line with normal distribution.
To develop pupils involvement in learning and monitoring their own progress in handwriting, creative writing and spelling and to
develop a positive attitude and pride in their work through the use of S.A.L.F. folders.
Maintain high standard of reading by continuing with programmes that have been put in place- Paired reading , D.R.O.P. Stations,
Supplementary reader, Class Novels, Use of school library.
Baseline data/evidence
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Drumcondra Reading Results 2012 were analysed using PDST analysis tool. Staff discussion of results followed. It was shown that
pupils performed least well in the area of comprehension
Total 2010-2011
Total 2011 / 2012
Total 2011/2012
Comprehension
Total 2012 / 2013
Comprehension
Normal distribution
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At or below 2nd PR
0%
3rd to 16th PR
6%
17th to 50th PR
33%
51st to 84th PR
24%
85th to 98th PR
29%
Above 98th PR
7%
0%
7%
41%
29%
20%
3%
0.3%
8.5%
32.6%
30.7%
22.9%
4.6%
0.8%
11.16%
33.86%
26.29
21.91
5.98
2.0%
14.0%
34.0%
34.0%
14.0%
2.0%
Drumcondra Reading Results 2012 were analysed and showed that pupils performed above the norm in their reading scores. We
want to maintain this standard that had resulted from the many reading initiatives that are in place.
Teacher observations and teacher designed questionnaires highlighted comprehension as an area for development
Questionnaire was administered to pupils from 2nd-6th classes and to their parents to gauge opinions on literacy.
Year 1 actions ’13-‘14
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Year 2 actions ’14-‘15
CPD for teachers
PDST Support
Each class grouping designed a
comprehension plan to be taught
including objectives, resources and
strategies to be targeted.
Use of PDST bookmarkers to aid thee
teaching of comprehension strategies.
Use building bridges of understanding Ecopies to every member of staff and
necessary resources.
Send 10 top tips for parents to each
family
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Year 3 actions ’15-‘16
CPD for teachers
PDST Support
Continue to teach the reading
comprehension plan.
Use of PDST bookmarkers to aid thee
teaching of comprehension strategies.
Use building bridges of understanding Ecopies to every member of staff and
necessary resources.
Send 10 top tips for parents to each
family
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Information meeting on comprehension
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Information meeting on comprehension
Information meeting on comprehension
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Teachers read to children for 10 mins 3
times @ week
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Teachers read to children for 10 mins 3
times @ week
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Teachers read to children for 10 mins 3
times @ week
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S.A.L.F. Folders- In service in
development of S.A.L.F. folders
Development of students assessment of
learning -Agreement on content for each
class level
S.A.L.F. Folders- In service in
development of S.A.L.F. folders
Development of students assessment of
learning -Agreement on content for each
class level
S.A.L.F. Folders- In service in
development of S.A.L.F. folders
Development of students assessment of
learning -Agreement on content for each
class level
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Paired reading , D.R.O.P. Stations,
Supplementary reader, Class Novels, Use
of school library.
Comprehension board
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Paired reading , D.R.O.P. Stations,
Supplementary reader, Class Novels, Use
of school library.
Comprehension board
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Paired reading , D.R.O.P. Stations,
Supplementary reader, Class Novels,
Use of school library.
Comprehension board in Hall with
comprehension skills
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Year Plan to improve Literacy LEVELS
CPD for teachers
PDST Support
Continue to teach the reading
comprehension plan.
Use of PDST bookmarkers to aid thee
teaching of comprehension strategies.
Use building bridges of understanding Ecopies to every member of staff and
necessary resources.
Send 10 top tips for parents to each
family
Targets
State in specific terms how Literacy LEVELS should improve as a result of actions in the school
 To maintain the percentage of pupils performing between the 85 th and 100th percentile on comprehension in Drumcondra Reading Test at 28%
over the next 3 years
 To increase the percentage of pupils performing between the 17th and 50th percentile from 32.6 % to 35%
Monitoring/Review
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Teacher observation is a key tool which will be used in monitoring the progress of comprehension. Key observations will be noted and discussed at whole staff
level
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Professional reflection section on cuntas míosúil’s will be used to gauge feedback also
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Discussion at staff meetings and Croke Park Hour meetings re: feedback and the identification of new strategies and approaches
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Continuing professional development will be sought and staff encouraged to attend, to further develop teacher knowledge and skills and to keep abreast of best
practice
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Pupil feedback will be sought at regular intervals throughout the year. Questionnaires, trend graphs will be used to gauge pupil opinions at the end of each year
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Parental Feedback will be sought through questionnaires, information evenings and at parent/teacher meetings
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Standardised Drumcondra test will be given at end of each year and results will be discussed and measured to see if we meet our target increase in
comprehension scores.
Success Criteria/Evaluation
State how progress will be measured, using baseline and targets as guide at the end of the three years
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Teacher observations and teacher designed questioning and tasks
Class conferencing between teacher and pupils, pupils and pupils to gauge feedback
Standardised testing at end of each year – data will be analysed over the three years to track performance of pupils’ comprehension score and over increase in
literacy scores to measure improvements
Pupil questionnaires will be analysed to gauge how pupil feedback altered over the three year period as a result of new strategies
Review of children’s work samples in S.A.L.F.