During the recent Rolla Board of Education meeting held on December 12, 2024, Dr. Corey Ray, principal of Rolla High School, presented the school's improvement plan, emphasizing a commitment to enhancing student performance over the next five years. The plan aims for 60% of students to achieve proficient or advanced levels in math, biology, and government, and 65% in English by the end of the 2028-2029 school year.

Dr. Ray highlighted the importance of data in driving educational improvements, noting that the state has introduced a new testing platform that provides timely feedback on student performance. This data allows educators to identify strengths and areas for growth, enabling targeted interventions. The school has implemented strategies such as providing release time for teachers to collaborate on curriculum alignment and assessment preparation, particularly in subjects like biology and math.

Additionally, Dr. Ray discussed the school's efforts to learn from other successful institutions by reaching out to similar schools to understand their effective practices. This collaborative approach aims to incorporate successful strategies into Rolla High School's framework.

The meeting also addressed the need for ongoing professional development, with a focus on a structured learning model that encourages teachers to engage with student performance data. This model, which had been sidelined during the COVID-19 pandemic, is being revitalized to ensure that educators can effectively respond to students' learning needs.

Overall, the discussions at the meeting underscored the Rolla School District's dedication to improving educational outcomes through data-driven strategies and collaborative efforts among educators. The next steps will involve continuous monitoring of student performance and adjustments to teaching methods based on the insights gained from the new testing platform and professional development initiatives.