Follow

Info

All demo content is for sample purposes only, intended to represent a live site. Please use the RocketLauncher to install an equivalent of the demo, all images will be replaced with sample images.

ALPHA PLUS MODEL OF SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT

FMosrc19Since 1990, when the Oklahoma Legislature created the state’s first academic standards and mandated a new type of state tests, the Alpha Plus team of educators has been developing tools to help students reach higher expectations. 

Alpha Plus uses scientifically based methods to help low-performing schools achieve high progress, and customizes services to meet the needs of rural, suburban and urban schools.

EVIDENCE OF EFFECTIVENESS

While a majority of schools served by Alpha Plus start out as low-performing, schools that use Alpha Plus tools with fidelity outperformed Oklahoma’s average proficiency rates on state tests at Grades 3-8 every year.

image002May

Alpha Plus data and training helps educators improve instruction and, as such, state-mandated test scores in ELA, mathematics and science. These, in turn, improve districts' Oklahoma School Report Card grades.

Each year, we evaluate Alpha Plus data against Oklahoma State Department of Education data for each school to ensure tools and efforts are aligned to the state accountability formula.  OSRC19barsThe next state report cards are expected Fall 2022 and will be available at https://oklaschools.com.

In 2019-20, Alpha Plus Online assessments aligned to the Oklahoma Academic Standards (OAS) are being used in 74 schools with:

+15,567 students, Grades 1-8
+640 teachers, assistants and specialists
+169 principals and school support staff
+98 superintendents and district support staff

When schools using Alpha Plus tools get great results, we are the first to share to news media, Facebook, Twitter, and on our website.

image003May

This is how Alpha Plus has inspired results for nearly 30 years - by giving the credit to teachers and school teams. And, schools always exceed our expectations and state averages.

image005MayOklahoma Edge, the state's plan for compliance with the federal Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), states that "a robust assessment system is tied closely to students’ learning and teachers’ instructional practices by valuing and promoting local, classroom based formative assessments that help make student learning visible.

At the same time, that system should provide a strong summative assessment program that fits as a component within a multifaceted state, district and school accountability system." [Page 48-49, Oklahoma ESSA Consolidated State Plan, July 2018]

Alpha Plus Online is precisely that type of system.  New grade-level reports developed over last several years help teachers pinpoint students' learning gaps in alignment with the OAS. 

Moreover, Alpha Plus Data-Driven Professional Development helps schools identified for Comprehensive Support and Improvement to meet state and federal mandates.

Evidence-Based Practices studies from the USDE's What Works Clearinghouse that correlate to the Alpha Plus Model of School Improvement materials and services include:

Alpha Plus Leadership Team

WILLIAM C. LIEDTKE III, PRESIDENT, ALPHA PLUS EDUCATIONAL SYSTEMS

Bill2024
William Liedtke began leading the Alpha Plus team in January 2024 and was previously Vice President in QSP Capital LLC and affiliated restaurant concepts, including Bricktown Brewery Restaurants, Jimmy’s Egg, and S&B’s Burger Joint.

Prior to his work with QSP, Mr. Liedtke had a distinguished career in the energy industry including serving as President of a Canadian company with global oil-and-gas enterprises and as an Independent General Partner in Merrill Lynch’s Oklahoma Venture Partners. He also served as Special Assistant on Energy, Indian Affairs and Drug Policy to Governor Henry Bellmon, Oklahoma’s first education governor. A member of the State Bar of Texas, Mr. Liedtke has a Bachelor of Arts degree from Amherst College and a Juris Doctor from the University of Texas School of Law.

 

Bennie Newton, Executive Vice President / Sales Manager

BennieNewtoncrop
Growing up in western Oklahoma where education has been a family tradition, Bennie Newton graduated from Southwestern Oklahoma State University in Weatherford; he also earned his master’s degree in School Administration from SWOSU. Mr. Newton’s career includes teaching, coaching, and school administration, serving 12 years as principal and 21 years as superintendent. He led the use of Alpha Plus tools in his district and says it was what drove Central High Elementary district to the prestigious National Blue Ribbon School award! In June 2020, Mr. Newton retired and became Alpha Plus Sales Manager then, in January 2024, he was named Executive Vice President.

 

 

Susanne Dougherty, Vice President, Professional Development

Susanne2024

A National Board-Certified Teacher, Susanne Dougherty taught 3rd through 5th grade students for 18 years and was an elementary school administrator for eight years. She has a business degree from the University of Oklahoma and earned two master’s degrees from the University of Central Oklahoma, one in elementary education and the second in elementary administration. Ms. Dougherty retired after 26 years as an Edmond Public School teacher and principal and joined Alpha Plus as a facilitator in 2022. In January 2024, she began leading the Alpha Plus Professional Development team of certified Oklahoma educators serving schools statewide.

 

Holly Dudley, Vice President, Curriculum & Assessments

Holly

Holly Dudley is originally from Georgia and moved with her family to Oklahoma in 2016. With her bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education from the University of West Georgia, Ms. Dudley worked as an elementary school teacher in Grades 1-4 for ten years. She was drawn to education because of her desire to improve the lives of children through quality education. Ms. Dudley joined Alpha Plus in 2022 and brought her passion for teaching to her role as a professional development facilitator for two years. She now leads the curriculum team of educators at Alpha Plus with a new mission to elevate instruction and student success with improved content aligned to the OAS.

Alpha Plus Professionals

Ron Brummett, School-Improvement Facilitator

Holly
With his bachelor’s degree in education from Southern Nazarene University in Bethany, Ron Brummett earned his master’s degree in educational administration from Northern Arizona University. He has 35 years of experience in Kindergarten through 8th grade public education in Arizona, Kansas, and Oklahoma public schools. He spent eight years teaching and 27 years in school administration; he retired after 13 years as principal within Yukon Public Schools. Mr. Brummett joined Alpha Plus as a School Improvement Facilitator in June 2023.

 

PENNY GOOCH, ELA Content Specialist

Holly
In her more than 35 years of experience in education, Penny Gooch served mainly in Guthrie and Edmond schools. She taught kindergarten, second grade, sixth grade science, and vocational home economics then served as a Title I Reading Teacher, an instructional coach, Director of Federal Programs and later Elementary Education. From 2006-2008, Ms. Gooch was Director of Reading and Literacy at the Oklahoma State Department of Education and is a Reading First and RSA expert. She retired from her position as principal Orvis Risner Elementary, Edmond, in June 2021 and joined Alpha Plus as a School Improvement Facilitator in July 2023. Ms. Gooch is a lead writer for the new Success with OAS Grade 2 Phonics and Reading books and is editing early grade assessments for 2024-25.

Nichelle Reed, School-Improvement Facilitator

Nichelle

Nichelle Reed became a School Improvement Facilitator with Alpha Plus in July 2023. She has taught elementary, middle school, and high school students in Oklahoma public schools for 19 years. After graduating from the University of Central Oklahoma with a Bachelor of Arts in Education, Nichelle traveled extensively as a dance educator in the U.S. After returning home to Oklahoma, she taught English Language Arts, Writing, Reading, and Classical Literature for Oklahoma City, McLoud, and Norman Public Schools. A champion for teachers and their need for powerful resources in each classroom, Mrs. Reed also writes and edits ELA curriculum and assessments.

CINDY WATSON, Operations Specialist

Cindy2024

Dr. Cindy Watson grew up in Oklahoma City where she graduated with an elementary education degree from Oklahoma Christian University, master's degrees in both early childhood and educational leadership, and a doctorate from Liberty University in Adult Educational Leadership. She served in education for 33 years as an elementary and middle school teacher. Dr. Watson also served for 10 years as an elementary principal, and utilized Alpha Plus tools during her service as a principal in Oklahoma City Public Schools. Her National Board Certification is evidence of her commitment to effective teaching for the success of all students. After retiring from her role as Program Manager of Teacher Leadership Development at the Oklahoma State Department of Education, Dr. Watson initially joined Alpha Plus as Operations Specialist in May 2024, and became Vice President Academic Achievement in the fall of 2024, with a particular focus on aiding new and emergency certified Oklahoma teachers.

CHRISTOPHER STATON, Operations Specialist

StantonCrop

With his background spanning roles as a teacher, coach, and administrator in Eastern Oklahoma school districts, Christopher Staton possesses a deep understanding of Oklahoma's educational landscape. A proud graduate of Sallisaw, and an alumnus of Northeastern State University, Mr. Staton holds a bachelor's degree in elementary education and a master's degree in School Administration. Currently pursuing his Ph.D. in Educational Leadership with a focus on curriculum, Mr. Staton is also a math professor at Tulsa Community College. Mr. Staton eagerly took up the opportunity to make a significant impact within the Alpha Plus team beginning as Operations Specialist in May 2024.

LARRI VEIT, School-Improvement Facilitator

LarriVeitcrop

A Morrison High School graduate, Larri Veit grew up in the town north of Stillwater, and is a graduate of Oklahoma State University with a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education. She has taught Grades 1-3 in Missouri and Grades 3-6 in Oklahoma; in 2010, Ms. Veit became a National Board-Certified teacher. A classroom teacher for 23 years, she used Alpha Plus with her fourth-grade students her last three years teaching and found the Alpha Plus Online platform helped prepare students to reach her expectations for the state tests. Mrs. Veit is excited to make a change from the classroom and become a full-time facilitator helping teachers be successful with their students.