Message from Templeton Unified School District Superintendent
Superintendent Joe Koski.
–Templeton led all school districts in the county in Language Arts performance as measured by data from the inaugural Smarter Balanced Assessment. 61-percent of students met or exceeded the standards. This is an impressive result considering that the new standards and the assessment are significantly more rigorous than previous versions. Despite these outstanding results, our teachers are committed to continuous improvement. We have selected the Listening Claim as an area of focus for this new. The skills covered by these standards have never been formally assessed in a standardized manner. I look forward to studying the effect of the instructional changes made to reflect this new area of emphasis.
Results in math were positive as well. 43-percent percent of students met or exceeded standards which placed us as the second highest performing district in the county. This was an overall improvement as we typically place third or fourth in the county in mathematic s performance. However, our goal is to become the county leader in math performance by 2020. We adopted new math textbooks and are providing additional training for teachers in order to provide the best instruction possible.
A recent staff survey demonstrates that morale is high and that 94-percent of staff are pleased or very pleased with our organizational progress. Our bargaining units have enjoyed a three year contract allowing our Human Resources department to focus on employee development and training. Nearly 75percent of teachers attended up to 14 optional staff development days over the course of the last three years which is one the primary reasons that we were able to make such a successful transition to the new standards.
Finally, school construction and modernization continues in earnest. Please view the video which our MOT Director, Chris Bonin, developed to highlight recent projects. The community will begin to see construction at Templeton High School as early as spring of 2016.
Stats:
• Templeton Unified led the county in performance in English Language Arts for more than six years in a row. Second in math performance.
• Overall, the highest performing school system in San Luis Obispo.
• Second ranked FFA program in the state and recognized as state welding champions.
• Girls Volleyball team undefeated in league, runner-up at CIF and performed well in the state tournament.
• THS Drama students selected to perform in Edinborough, Scotland.
Whether you measure by academics, athletics, or career readiness, you’d have to drive hundreds of miles to find a more successful school district.
The California Department of Education seeks to recognize outstanding educational programs and practices through the highly competitive Gold Ribbon Schools program. Gold Ribbon Schools are selected as a result of tremendous gains in implementing State Board policies including standards-based activities, projects, strategies, and practices which can be replicated by other local educational agencies. Templeton Unified is the only school district in the county to have an elementary, middle and high school recognized as Gold Ribbon Schools.
