Big Sandy Elementary Becomes First School in Alabama Recognized as a "Model Professional Learning Community at Work" 

June 10, 2020

Big Sandy Elementary has been named a “Model Professional Learning Community at Work,” by Solution Tree, a provider of educational strategies and tools to improve staff and student performance. BSE was chosen for the honor based on its sustained success in raising student achievement, through the school’s successful implementation of the Professional Learning Communities at Work process. Big Sandy is one of about 200 schools and districts in the United States and Canada, and the first school in Alabama, to receive this honor.

Professional Learning Communities, or PLCs, are schools and districts in which educators work to improve student learning through ongoing, job-embedded learning for the adults who serve those students.

“We are honored to receive this recognition and believe we are on the right track to continued improvement,” Big Sandy Elementary principal Mrs. Glynis Rhodes said.

“Our entire faculty and staff have worked the past three years to become a Professional Learning Community in an effort to do what is best for all of our students.”

Schools are selected for this honor based on strict criteria, including demonstration of a commitment to PLC concepts, implementation of these concepts for at least three years, and clear evidence of improved student learning over that period. Once measurable results can be seen, the school must explain its practices, structures, and culture, and submit its application for consideration by the PLC Review Committee.

Model PLC Schools have the opportunity to share implementation strategies, structures, and performance with educators across the country, interested in improving their schools.

TCSS Report Card

Big Sandy Report Card

Dear Parents of Big Sandy Students,

The Alabama State Department of Education recently released the new Alabama Unified Report Care for the state, school systems and schools. The purpose of this reporting system is to provide parents, community members, and others indicators of how a school or school system is performing. 

The grade received by schools reflects several factors, including academic achievement, academic growth, and chronic absenteeism. Big Sandy Elementary received a letter grade of an “A” (91).  This is up from last year’s score of 81.  We are thrilled with our score and will continue to strive for even more improvement. 

In an effort to increase our school’s overall progress, Big Sandy Elementary will:

• focus on increasing the explicit, rigorous, and engaging instruction of all content standards.
• focus on ensuring the students’ understanding of the learning targets.
• instill within our faculty through Professional Learning Communities, a more determined mindset geared towards an intense effort to identify barriers preventing student success.

We appreciate your support and continued efforts as parents in helping us to strive to continually improve student achievement at Big Sandy Elementary. 

Glynis Rhodes

Principal