September 6, 2012

Dear Parents and Community Members:

We are pleased to present you with the Annual Education Report (AER) which provides key information on the 2011-2012 educational progress for Dollar Bay-Tamarack City Area Schools.  The AER addresses the complex reporting information required by federal and state laws.  The school’s report contains information about student assessment, Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) and teacher quality.  If you have any questions about the AER, please contact Jan Quarless, Superintendent for assistance.

The AER is available to you to review electronically by visiting the following web site:  www.dollarbay.k12.mi.us or you may review a copy from the superintendent’s office at school.

For 2011-2012, DB-TC Area Schools made Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) in English language arts and mathematics.  While we are pleased to have reached this goal, we are continuously working to improve.  We appreciate the continued support of parents, staff and our community in this effort.

State law requires that we also report additional information.

1.    PROCESS OF ASSIGNING PUPILS TO THE SCHOOL             

Dollar Bay-Tamarack City Area Schools is a two buildings district with one section of students in grades K-6, the other grades 7-12.  To such, all students are assigned to their respective classroom grade levels as appropriate.  DB-TC Area Schools is a school of choice district.  All incoming students will be assigned on a space available basis.

2.    THE STATUS OF THE 3-5 SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT PLAN

During the 2011-2012 school year the staff completed the Comprehensive Needs Assessment and examined building demographics, system processes and protocols of practices, instructional program, and disaggregated student academic achievement.  A School Improvement Plan has been completed that addresses student learning and system needs that were identified through the Comprehensive Needs Assessment process.  For the 2010-2011 school year the staff continued to review our School Improvement Plan.  During the 2011-2012 school year, our staff worked on implementing the School Improvement goals by developing Pacing Guides for Social Studies and Science.   Teachers also developed course outlines for all courses taught in the district.  The following is a brief summary of the School Improvement Plan:

Mission Statement:  Utilizing our uniquely small size, our mission is to:  educate students to compete successfully in our changing world, prepare students for life-long learning, and responsible citizenship, and encourage social, emotional, and physical well-being by working cooperatively with organizations, our community and its families.

Belief’s Statements:

Education is a life-long process.

Learning is our highest priority.

All students can learn and achieve.

Students will be active participants in their education.

Education is the responsibility of the entire community.

Board members and staff will be prepared for their roles and be positive and caring to all.

School Improvement Goals (related to MEAP scores):

Writing:                Maintain at least 80% proficiency on writing MEAP.

Reading:              Maintain at least 85% proficiency on reading MEAP.

Math:                    Maintain at least 85% proficiency on mathematics MEAP.

Science:               Maintain at least 85% proficiency on science MEAP.

Social Studies:   Maintain at least 85% proficiency on social studies MEAP.

3.     A BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF EACH SPECIALIZED SCHOOL.

The DB-TC Area School District does not have any specialized schools.

4.    IDENTIFY HOW TO ACCESS A COPY OF THE CORE CURRICULUM, A DESCRIPTION OF ITS IMPLEMENTATION AND     AN EXPLANATION OF THE VARIANCES FROM THE STATE’S MODEL.

A copy of the Michigan Merit Curriculum High School Graduation Requirements may be obtained from the following Michigan Department of Education website:

http://www.michigan.gov/mde/0.1607.7-140-38924---.00.html

Frequently Asked Questions:

http://www.michigan .gov/documents/mde/FAQ_-_Entire_Document_12.07_217841_7.pdf

Dollar Bay High School Graduation Requirements:

www.dollarbay.k12.mi.us

5.  THE AGGEGATE STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT RESULTS FOR ANY LOCAL COMPETENCY TESTS OR NATIONALLY NORMED ACHIEVMENT TESTS.

Dollar Bay-Tamarack City students do not take any local or national normed tests.

6.  IDENTIFY THE NUMBER AND PERCENT OF STUDENTS REPRESENTED BY PARENTS AT THE PARENT-TEACHER CONFERENCES:

PARENT PARTICIPATION – CONFERENCES

7.    FOR HIGH SCHOOLS ONLY ALSO REPORT ON THE FOLLOWING:

a.        THE NUMBER AND PERCENT OF POSTSECONDARY ENROLLMENTS (DUAL ENROLLMENT)

The Postsecondary Option Act provides that students who meet certain criteria enroll in college courses, at nearby colleges or universities. Students may elect to receive college credit, high school credit or, in some cases, both high school and college credit for these courses.  The local school district is required to pay for the prorated portion of tuition costs.  In the 2009-2010 school year, we had five students dual enrolled which is approximately 18% of our graduating seniors.  During 2010-2011, the district had three students dual enrolled which is approximately 12% of our graduating seniors.

b.       THE NUMBER OF COLLEGE EQUIVALENT COURSES OFFERED (AP/IF)

Dollar Bay High School did not offer any AP classes.

c.        THE NUMBER AND PERCENT OF STUDENTS ENROLLED IN COLLEGE EQUIVALENT COURSES (AP/IB)

Dollar Bay High School did not have any students enrolled in college equivalent courses.

d.       THE NUMBER AND PERCENTAGE OF STUDENTS RECEIVING A SCHORE LEADING TO COLLEGE CREDIT

Dollar Bay High School did not have any students receive AP credit.

The Dollar Bay-Tamarack City Area School District is working diligently to meet our School Improvement Goals.  Our dedicated staff meets regularly to discuss our curriculum.  We are honored to be named “One of America’s Best High Schools” by the U.S. News and World Report for the years 2008, 2009, 2010, and 2011.  Additionally, we are pleased to report that we have earned an overall grade of an A on our school report card for the 2011-2012 school year.  We are proud of the performance and achievement of our Dollar Bay-Tamarack City students and of the dedication and professionalism of our teaching staff.  If you are interested in learning more about our school please do not hesitate to contact me.

Sincerely,

Jan Quarless PhD.

Superintendent