Written by Anne Wodetzki, Principal
At the 64th Association of Teacher Educators Fall Conference, Parkview Elementary School will be recognized as one of three Outstanding Successful Schools in Indiana. Parkview Elementary School received this nomination as a result of its successful partnership with Valparaiso University in the Study Buddy program. Indiana schools that endeavor to partner with local universities and colleges were nominated for this award based on their use of data, participation in educational research, use of technology and professional development.
The Study Buddy program is a mentoring-based tutoring program that connects VU students with Parkview students. VU students play a very important role as they assist Parkview children in achieving academic excellence. Each Tuesday and Thursday, before and after school, VU students commit to an hourlong session with Parkview children in grades two through five. Together they tackle a computer-based program called Study Island.
Driven by the Indiana State Academic Standards in English Language Arts, Math, Science and Social Studies, the program challenges students to complete problems similar to those on the ISTEP-Plus assessment. Each Parkview student has a personalized assignment in Study Island that is specifically designed to accommodate their strengths and weaknesses. During the tutoring session, the VU students use a technique call "think aloud" to explicitly explains their thinking as they model solving the problem out loud. This strategy helps children understand difficult material and provides a low stress atmosphere in which children can ask questions and receive individual help. In essence, the strategy is more than just helping children find the right answer; the focus is on thinking.
Parkview teachers also play a vital role in the success of Study Buddy. In 2010, Parkview teachers chose to participate in an educational research study that investigated the Study Buddy program. One of the highlights of the research was the opportunity for Parkview teachers and VU students to openly dialogue about successful strategies and student progress. With Parkview teachers explicitly designing each Study Island assignment, this type of communication and sharing of data became essential. Results from this study confirmed the success of the Study Buddy program. On average 35 students participate in the Study Buddy program each year with 81 percent of those students demonstrating significant academic growth as a result of the program.
Congratulations Parkview Elementary students, teachers, parents and Valparaiso University students. This award belongs to all of you for your commitment to an outstanding and successful partnership.