District Profile
The Martin County School District (MCSD) consists of 20 schools servicing more than 19,000 students. The district received an “A” rating from the state of Florida for the 2016-2017 school year, reflecting an increase from a “B” rating in 2015-2016. The district continues to strive to meet the needs of its diverse learners from both an academic and social/emotional perspective, so that students can be successful as they enter life beyond MCSD. The charts below represent the racial make-up of the student and staff populations. Additionally, nearly 40% of the student population is economically disadvantaged.
Diversity Defined
Simply stated, the term diversity means differences. Differences exist in our society between
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Because of the diversity that exists among our student population, it is important to offer an education that meets those diverse needs. This includes fostering an appreciation for the unique qualities students bring to the school community. Through working collaboratively in the classroom, students grow both academically and emotionally as they achieve project goals. In order to meet student needs, teachers must be prepared with the latest in professional development strategies to differentiate instruction among all learners. It is the responsibility of the district to provide comprehensive professional development and resources equitably to the teaching …show more content…
Implementing consistent professional development across the district will give teachers the latest information they need to address varying needs in the classroom. When teachers are equipped to meet the varying needs in the classroom, achievement gains will follow. Additionally, working with community partners to secure materials for the target group of students during the summer months would help narrow the achievement gap. In a 2010 study, “…providing easy access to self selected books for summer reading over successive years…limited summer reading setback” among economically disadvantaged students (Allington, McGill-Franzen, Camilli, Williams, Graff, Zeig, & Nowak,