 |
Wednesday, August 23, 2006
Schools and Districts On the Right Track
In April the California Comprehensive Center at WestEd and the California Department of Education cosponsored On the Right Track 4: Strategies From Improving Schools. The fourth annual symposium highlighted California Program Improvement schools and districts making a difference in student achievement. The California Comprehensive Center then sponsored a series of follow-up activities on SchoolsMovingUp: the two Online Events and three audio interviews, along with accompanying school or district profiles, are now all available on SchoolsMovingUp. |
Schools on the Right Track: Mathson Middle School
Mathson Middle School made a 198-point gain on California's Academic Performance Index (API) over the last three years and moved from a statewide decile ranking of 1 to 5. How did they accomplish this? In this interactive presentation, school and district leaders interested in school improvement learned from teacher Kilian Betlach about ongoing improvement at Mathson Middle School. Topics included Mathson's extensive staff collaboration around data and changes to their instructional program that have turned around achievement.
To view the archived webinar go to the Mathson Online Event.
To read about the keys to Mathson's success and view their data, go to the Lee Mathson Middle School Profile.
Districts on the Right Track: Napa Valley Unified School District
Over the last three years, Napa Valley Unified School District has revamped its school support model— resulting in a district-wide 25-point gain on California's Academic Performance Index (API) and growth in more than 90 percent of district schools. In this interactive presentation, district leaders interested in supporting schools in program improvement learned from Elena Toscano, Assistant Superintendent of Instruction, about her district's innovative support model. Topics included Napa's focus on establishing a clear vision, their action plan to build collaboration, and their expanded role in continuous improvement efforts.
To view the archived webinar go to the Napa Valley Online Event.
To read about the keys to Napa Valley's success and view their data, go to the Napa Valley Unified School District Profile.
 School and District Profiles with Audio Interviews |
|
Schools on the Right Track: Monroe Elementary School
Monroe Elementary School made a 110-point gain on California's Academic Performance Index (API) over the last three years and moved from a statewide decile ranking of 3 to 5. Monroe has made the quality of classroom English language arts instruction a central focus, restructuring its administrative team and providing on-site staff development to provide ongoing instructional support and feedback. This profile highlights the key elements of Monroe’s growth.
In the accompanying audio interview and downloadable transcription, school and district leaders interested in supporting schools in program improvement can listen to an interview with Gina Kismet, principal of Monroe Elementary, about her school’s work to provide instruction that meets all children’s needs. Topics included Monroe’s focus on using data to reflect on teaching and learning, modifying instruction to meet differentiated student needs, and the work done by the administrative team to support instructional improvement. Click on the title above to access both the school profile and the separate interview files.
Schools on the Right Track: Rio Linda High School
Rio Linda High School has targeted standards and raised academic rigor, resulting in growth from 1 to 5 on California’s Similar Schools Ranking. This profile highlights the key elements of Rio Linda’s growth.
In the accompanying audio interview and downloadable transcription, school and district leaders interested in supporting schools in program improvement can listen to an interview with Steve Liles, principal at Rio Linda High, about his school’s approach to increasing access to the core curriculum. Topics included how Rio Linda reorganized professional development to focus on implementing consistent instructional strategies, changed the school’s course offerings to better meet students’ needs, and used a School Leadership Team to provide direction for improvement. Click on the title above to access both the school profile and the separate interview files.
Districts on the Right Track: Oxnard Union High School District
Over the last three years, Oxnard Union High School District has focused on supporting its four Program Improvement schools by actively addressing the findings of its team audits conducted in collaboration with the county office. Now all Oxnard schools have successfully exited Program Improvement. This profile highlights the key elements of Oxnard Union’s growth.
In the accompanying audio interview and downloadable transcription, district leaders interested in supporting schools in program improvement can listen to an interview with Judy Warner, Assistant Superintendent of Education Services, about her district’s role in supporting these schools. Topics included Oxnard’s process for conducting the team audits, developing districtwide benchmark testing and pacing guides across content areas, and training school administrators on instructional leadership. Click on the title above to access both the district profile and the separate interview files.
|
|
| About SchoolsMovingUp |
|
SchoolsMovingUp uses the Web to deliver high-quality resources, proven services, and innovative, useful tools that education professionals can use in their work with low-performing schools nationwide. SchoolsMovingUp offers knowledge and expertise that can help you make informed decisions and take effective action in your school reform efforts.
|
|
|
|
|
