As Parkland School District prepared to launch a new school year, Assistant Superintendent Dr. Rodney Troutman gave a presentation to the board on goals completed in 2016-17 and objectives for 2017-18.

“We’ve seen great accomplishments across the district,” Troutman said. “We want to create lofty goals that continue to move this district forward.”

Troutman reported last year’s major goal of implementing full-day kindergarten was a great success and resulted in a new instructional aim for this year.

“Kindergarten students are doing what we usually saw in first grade,” Troutman said. “We had to work with first-grade teachers to prepare them for students who are more advanced than previously.”

He said a kindergarten entry inventory plan was established to collect and analyze data on incoming children to provide instruction targeted to their needs.

District personnel have reached out to local preschool providers for discussions on preparing children for Parkland’s kindergarten program.

Goals have also been designated to provide the best help possible for the least able students.

Troutman said the district uses data to identify under performing groups to ensure all education stakeholders hold themselves responsible for young people’s opportunities for academic development and positive student outcomes.

Every learner should have full access to quality education, qualified teachers, a challenging curriculum, and sufficient support so they can achieve at excellent levels, Troutman explained.

He reported a “soft landing” class has been designed to create a program for individuals who are overwhelmed in the high school setting.

The students will be enrolled in the Parkland cyber program and will receive guidance support.

The goal of the project is to enable students to transition back into a regular classroom or to create a blended type of plan for them.

Troutman said another goal is to evaluate the district’s cyber program and consider moving to the one used for Parkland’s summer classes.

“It’s a better program and more cost effective,” Troutman said.