Here for this—especially as someone who grew up in South Beloit and went to Hononegah just up the road. Your nuts-and-bolts write-up is exactly what so many districts say they want and rarely publish: schedules, materials, guardrails, and honest trade-offs. The clarity around a “walk to learn” model, consistent routines, and using a structured phonics program alongside knowledge-building ELA resonated.
Education Progress
A few things I’d love to hear more about as you continue sharing results:
• Mobility between groups. How often do students move up during the year, and what signals (beyond the diagnostic) trigger a change?
• IEP/ELL integration. What does collaboration with specialists look like inside ability-based groupings so support is additive, not siloed?
• Family messaging. You note stigma hasn’t been the issue some feared; any sample language or routines you’ve found that helped parents and students internalize the growth mindset?
Education Progress
On math, your “pre-skill before Tier 1” approach makes sense while a fuller small-group curriculum catches up. I’m curious how you’re tracking cohort growth over multiple years (e.g., students who started in the lowest group in 2nd grade and where they land by 4th/5th). Publishing that longitudinal view—wins and misses—would be invaluable for neighboring Stateline schools watching Rockford’s model.
Education Progress
Thanks for sharing a real blueprint, not just a headline. As a local, I’m rooting hard for Ellis—and for the ripple effects across the region.
Fabulous job! Reminds me of another teacher I know, ME! Just saying...you were always watching! You started your visits to my classrooms when you were 18 months old. You made lesson plans to baby sit, collected my old plan books, tried to teach your very uncooperative little brother and always had a deep need to find how things work and how thinhs work and how you could be made it even better. You are indeed a life long learner and I don't even have the words to express how proud I am to call you my daughter!
Here for this—especially as someone who grew up in South Beloit and went to Hononegah just up the road. Your nuts-and-bolts write-up is exactly what so many districts say they want and rarely publish: schedules, materials, guardrails, and honest trade-offs. The clarity around a “walk to learn” model, consistent routines, and using a structured phonics program alongside knowledge-building ELA resonated.
Education Progress
A few things I’d love to hear more about as you continue sharing results:
• Mobility between groups. How often do students move up during the year, and what signals (beyond the diagnostic) trigger a change?
• IEP/ELL integration. What does collaboration with specialists look like inside ability-based groupings so support is additive, not siloed?
• Family messaging. You note stigma hasn’t been the issue some feared; any sample language or routines you’ve found that helped parents and students internalize the growth mindset?
Education Progress
On math, your “pre-skill before Tier 1” approach makes sense while a fuller small-group curriculum catches up. I’m curious how you’re tracking cohort growth over multiple years (e.g., students who started in the lowest group in 2nd grade and where they land by 4th/5th). Publishing that longitudinal view—wins and misses—would be invaluable for neighboring Stateline schools watching Rockford’s model.
Education Progress
Thanks for sharing a real blueprint, not just a headline. As a local, I’m rooting hard for Ellis—and for the ripple effects across the region.
Fabulous job! Reminds me of another teacher I know, ME! Just saying...you were always watching! You started your visits to my classrooms when you were 18 months old. You made lesson plans to baby sit, collected my old plan books, tried to teach your very uncooperative little brother and always had a deep need to find how things work and how thinhs work and how you could be made it even better. You are indeed a life long learner and I don't even have the words to express how proud I am to call you my daughter!
Hell yeah!