camden city schools

AgendaAgenda

Overview

Student and Staff Survey

Performance

Listening & Evaluation Tour

Preliminary Actions Taken

• Camden is home to 77,000 people, of whom 25% are school-aged children

Camden City OverviewCamden City Overview

• More than 15,000 students are served by Camden’s 26 traditional district schools and 11 charter schools

• Nearly 95% of students qualify for free or reduced lunch

• 19% of students have a special education classification

Schools in CamdenSchools in Camden

4

• Camden is the lowest-performing district in New Jersey

• Priority Schools – schools with the lowest school-wide proficiency rates in the state– 23 of Camden’s 26 schools are Priority Schools

• 3 of the absolute lowest-performing schools in the state• 14 of the lowest-performing 21 schools in the state based on overall proficiency in

our NCLB waiver

AgendaAgenda

Overview


Performance



Elementary School Students:I want to explore and learn new things

0

20

40

60

80

100%

Elementary

76%

%RespondingYes

Middle and High School Students:Thinking back over the past year in school, how often did you try to do your best work in school?

0

20

40

60

80

100%

Middle School

80%

High School

74%

%RespondingOften/AlmostAlways

The Opportunity: Students are eager to learnThe Opportunity: Students are eager to learn

Camden City School Climate Survey, Spring 2013

Elementary School Students:My family wants me to do well in school

0

20

40

60

80

100%

Elementary

96%

%RespondingYes

Middle/High School Students:My family wants me to do well in school

0

20

40

60

80

100%

Middle School

88%

High School

78%

%RespondingAgree/StronglyAgree

The Opportunity: Students perceive their families to have high expectations of them…The Opportunity: Students perceive their families to have high expectations of them…


Elementary School Students:My teachers really care about me

0

20

40

60

80

100%

Elementary

75%

%RespondingYes

Elementary Students:My teachers would give me help if I needed it

0

20

40

60

80

100%

Elementary

78%

%RespondingYes

The Opportunity: …and believe that their teachers care about themThe Opportunity: …and believe that their teachers care about them


The Challenge: One-third of Camden City students wish they attended a different school The Challenge: One-third of Camden City students wish they attended a different school

Elementary School Students:I wish I went to a different school

Middle/High School Students:I wish I went to a different school

0

20

40

60

80

100%

Middle School

35%

High School

38%%RespondingAgree/StronglyAgree

0

20

40

60

80

100%

Elementary

30%%RespondingYes


The Challenge: Many students feel unsafe both inside and outside of their schoolThe Challenge: Many students feel unsafe both inside and outside of their school

Elementary School Students:I feel safe in the hallways and bathrooms

of the school

0

20

40

60

80

100%

Elementary

51%

%RespondingYes

Middle/High School Students:How safe do you feel outside around the

school?

0

20

40

60

80

100%

Middle School

20%

High School

21%

%RespondingMostly/VerySafe


The Challenge: …and violence is a significant problem in middle and high schools The Challenge: …and violence is a significant problem in middle and high schools

0

20

40

60

80

100%

Middle School

38%

High School

31%


Middle/High School Students:Violence is a problem at my school


The Challenge: Students do not find their school work engaging or interesting… The Challenge: Students do not find their school work engaging or interesting…

Elementary School Students:My teachers make learning interesting

Middle/High School Students:My teachers make learning interesting

0

20

40

60

80

100%

Elementary

56%

%RespondingYes

0

20

40

60

80

100%

Middle School

48%

High School

37%



The Challenge: … and many students frequently miss schoolThe Challenge: … and many students frequently miss school

0

20

40

60

80

100%

Elementary / Middle Schools

22%

%ofStudentsChronicallyAbsent

Chronic Absenteeism% of students absent > 10% of days

The Challenge: Staff members report that schools lack the necessary ingredients for a culture of achievementThe Challenge: Staff members report that schools lack the necessary ingredients for a culture of achievement

Staff Members:The school community has high expectations of

all students

0

20

40

60

80

100%

Elementary

58%

Middle School

44%

High School

64%


Staff Members:Teachers have close working relationships with

each other

0

20

40

60

80

100%

Elementary

54%

Middle School

63%

High School

66%



The Challenge: Staff members spend a lot of time attending to student emotional needs and have difficulty motivating themThe Challenge: Staff members spend a lot of time attending to student emotional needs and have difficulty motivating them

Staff Members:I spend a great deal of time dealing with students’ social and emotional troubles.

0

20

40

60

80

100%

Elementary

61%

Middle School

68%

High School

47%


Staff Members:Some students at this school just cannot be

motivated to do the work.

0

20

40

60

80

100%

Elementary

47%

Middle School

65%

High School

51%



AgendaAgenda

Overview


Performance



0

20

40

60

80

100%

LAL

200-249

180-199

<180

Math

200-249

180-199

<180

41% 18%% Proficient187 180Avg. Scale Score214 206DFG AAverage

Nearly half of Camden’s K-8 and high school students are performing far below the State’s bar for proficiencyNearly half of Camden’s K-8 and high school students are performing far below the State’s bar for proficiency

Camden NJASK LAL and Math Scores,2012-2013

Note: Students scores are attributed to the school they were enrolled in as of October 15; data is for district schools onlySource: NJDOE

0

20

40

60

80

100%

LAL

250

200-249

180-199

<180

Math

250

200-249

180-199

<180

21% 31%% Proficient175 179Avg. Scale Score202 192DFG AAverage

ProficientProficient

Camden HSPA LAL and Math Scores,2012-2013

Despite modest progress in some areas, Camden students remain 40-50 percentage points lower than the state proficiency averageDespite modest progress in some areas, Camden students remain 40-50 percentage points lower than the state proficiency average

0

25

50

75

100%

2010-2011

19%

2011-2012

19%

2012-2013

21%

2010-2011

27%

2011-2012

30%

2012-2013

31%

Camden NJASK LAL and Math Proficiency, 2011-2013

0

25

50

75

100%

2010-2011

43%

2011-2012

49%

2012-2013

41%

2010-2011

12%

2011-2012

20%

2012-2013

18%

Statewide

DFG A

Camden HSPA LAL and Math Proficiency, 2011-2013

Note: Students scores are attributed to the school they were enrolled in as of October 15; Data is for district schools onlySource: NJDOE

LAL MathLAL Math

100

150

200

250

300

Special Education

GeneralEducation

SpecialEducation

184

159

ELL

Non-ELL

ELL

179170

Lunch

NotFreeorReducedLunch

ReducedLunch

FreeLunch

176185

177

Black

NotBlack

Black

178177

Hispanic

NotHispanic

Hispanic

178178

1,353 654 4,936 2,579 2,7764,132 4,831 215 2,906 2,709N 334

While all sub-groups under-perform, Special Education and ELL students in K-8 schools score particularly lowWhile all sub-groups under-perform, Special Education and ELL students in K-8 schools score particularly low

Camden Public Schools NJASK LAL Performance by Demographic,2012-2013

Note: Students scores are attributed to the school they were enrolled in as of October 15Source: NJDOE

Last year, some K-8 schools showed modest progress in LAL while others fell further behind; charters performed slightly better on the whole

Last year, some K-8 schools showed modest progress in LAL while others fell further behind; charters performed slightly better on the whole

Change in Camden K-8 NJASK LAL Scores by School,2011-2012 to 2012-2013

Source: NJDOE

Indicates charter

-20

-10

0

10

20

183171183 183178176 182187 178185171 181 174 179191197 184 196185 192 186181 183175 181179 1772012 LAL

184173187 175180182 172187 171182178 183 173 175195200 184 196198 192 185180 178186 176184 1812013 LAL

FreedomAcademy

MorganVillage

Whittier

Molina

Dudley

HBWilson

E.Camden

Camden'sPromise

Camden'sPride

McGrawCatto

ForestHill

Bonsall

Sharp

DUESeasonLeapECO

Wiggins

Cramer

Cooper'sPoynt

Veterans

YorkshipDavis

Cream

Sumner

Hatch

PynePoynt

a

Still, all K-8 district schools are both low-performing and low growthStill, all K-8 district schools are both low-performing and low growth

NJASK LAL Performance and Growth, 2012-2013

Source: NJDOE

SGP

200

250

Freedom Prep

0 25 50 75 100

150

Leap

ECODUESeason

Camden's Promise

Camden's Pride

Yorkship

Wiggins

Whittier

Veterans

Sumner

Sharp

Pyne Poynt

Molina

McGraw

Hatch

HBWilson

Forest Hill

E. Camden

Dudley

Davis

Morgan Village

Cream

Cramer

Cooper's Poynt

Catto

Bonsall

District

Charter

0

-20

-10

0

10

20

184218 229215186 2262182012 LAL

179219 222209182 2222262013 LAL

Leap

CreativeArts

Wilson

Camdenhigh

CamdenAcademy

MetEast

Medical Arts

And at the high school level, the majority of schools have declined in performanceAnd at the high school level, the majority of schools have declined in performance

Change in Camden HSPA Scores by School,2011-2012 to 2012-2013

Source: NJDOE

-20

-10

0

10

20

177189 214197178 2082022012 Math

176200 200186177 2002122013 Math

CreativeArts

Leap

Wilson

Camdenhigh

CamdenAcademy

MetEast

Medical Arts

Indicates charter

MathLAL

…And most concerning, we’re far from preparing our students well for college or careers …And most concerning, we’re far from preparing our students well for college or careers

0

20

40

60

80

100%

Grade 12 SAT Participation

42%

Grade 12 College Readiness

<1%

College ReadinessHigh School Graduation Rate

0

20

40

60

80

100%

Graduation Rate

53%

AgendaAgenda

Overview


Performance



Superintendent’s 100-Day Transition: Three Areas of Focus Superintendent’s 100-Day Transition: Three Areas of Focus

Superintendent’s 100-Day Transition: Areas of Focus Superintendent’s 100-Day Transition: Areas of Focus

Teaching and Learning

• We visited all 26 schools in the district• School visits served as an opportunity to observe the

teaching and leadership practices and build relationships with school-based staff

School Safety and Climate

• This summer’s School Climate Survey found school safety and climate to be an area of critical concern in Camden

• As a result of this urgent need, this fall we have:• Completed a full security audit• Updated security plans for all schools• Provided training on emergency preparedness

• We see this as only the start of what is a critical area we must address as a City

Superintendent’s 100-Day Transition: Areas of Focus (cont’d) Superintendent’s 100-Day Transition: Areas of Focus (cont’d)

Community Engagement: The Listening Tour

•Objective: to listen to and learn from all members of the community about the best path forward for Camden’s schools •How was this achieved?

• 4 community town halls• 8 focus group events with parents, students

and staff• Feedback from hundreds of teachers via

suggestion boxes placed in every school

28

100-Day Listening Tour: Community Town Halls 100-Day Listening Tour: Community Town Halls

Town Halls

Attendees:

•Signed In: 67

•Students: 11

•Parents: 26

•Educators: 26

•Community Members: 16

Attendees:

•Signed In: 48

•Students: 9

•Parents: 15

•Educators: 8


Attendees:

•Signed In: 61

•Students: 15

•Parents: 18

•Educators: 21


Attendees:

•Signed In: 85

•Students: 23

•Parents: 45

•Educators: 11


88% of attendees indicated an interest being involved in efforts to improve schools 88% of attendees indicated an interest being involved in efforts to improve schools

100-Day Listening Tour: Focus Group Events 100-Day Listening Tour: Focus Group Events

Liberty Park Community

HuddleOct. 24th

Liberty Park Community

HuddleOct. 24th

District OfficeTown HallNov. 26th

District OfficeTown HallNov. 26th

Fairview Community

Huddle Nov. 19th

Fairview Community

Huddle Nov. 19th

Parent Roundtable

Nov. 25th

Parent Roundtable

Nov. 25th

Teacher TalksMet East - Nov. 25th

Cooper’s Poynt - Dec. 12th Camden High - Dec. 16th

Teacher TalksMet East - Nov. 25th

Cooper’s Poynt - Dec. 12th Camden High - Dec. 16th

Chat with Student Representatives

Oct. 28th

Chat with Student Representatives

Oct. 28th

Listening Tour Findings Listening Tour Findings

Students want:•Safer and better schools in high quality school buildings•Higher expectations from teachers and parents•Access to innovative technology and learning tools•Access to extracurricular resources

Parents want:•Safer and better schools in high quality school buildings•A more service-oriented district office and school environment•Clear opportunities for parents to engage

Teachers want:•Better curriculum and instructional support•A more service-oriented district office and school environment•Less bureaucracy

Community stakeholders want:•Safer and better schools, and community centers•Continuity in district-led community programs and initiatives

Students want:•Safer and better schools in high quality school buildings•Higher expectations from teachers and parents•Access to innovative technology and learning tools•Access to extracurricular resources

Parents want:•Safer and better schools in high quality school buildings•A more service-oriented district office and school environment•Clear opportunities for parents to engage

Teachers want:•Better curriculum and instructional support•A more service-oriented district office and school environment•Less bureaucracy

Community stakeholders want:•Safer and better schools, and community centers•Continuity in district-led community programs and initiatives

Camden receives $21.7K per pupil Camden receives $21.7K per pupil

0

100

200

300

$400M

2013-14E

Transfer to Charters

Out of District Tuition

General Fund

$327M

22%

Camden City General Fund

% Allocated to Charters & Out of District Tuition

*Excludes PEA and Federal Grants

Agenda Agenda

Overview


Performance



Preliminary Actions TakenPreliminary Actions Taken

33

Leaders & Educators•Hired 5 new turnaround principals•Started the school year with 100% of vacancies filled through a more strategic approach to staffing

– Revised recruitment and selection process for new hires– Held first ever matching fair for current staff to increase choice in school placement process– Ensured a sufficient number of substitute teachers were hired to meet persistent gaps

•Won a 5-year $5M SLP grant to support the development of a residency-based school leadership development programCurriculum & Instruction•Authored rigorous new math and ELA curricula across grades K to 12 to align to Common Core State Standards•Invested $5M in new textbooks for students and classrooms•Provided intensive summer development institutes to all educators

– Providing ongoing monthly professional learning opportunities for teachers and principalsTechnology•Established technology pilots in three schools to explore the use of instructional technology in our classrooms•Working closely with the state to ensure that our PARCC pilot schools are prepared for computer-based testing this spring


34

School Safety & Security•Updated all school security plans•Installed more than 100 new security cameras•Partnered with Camden City and the Camden County Police Department to establish “Safe Corridors” for students traveling to and from school•Ongoing heightening of school safety drills and protocols with state support•Developing a comprehensive school safety and security strategy

– Currently, interviewing to hire a School Safety and Security director

Student Support•Established the development and growth of a breakfast program

– Program began in 2 schools at the start of the school year, and is now in all schools

•Piloting a dinner program for students in our after school program– Program is beginning in 6 schools with plans to expand to all schools by the end of the year

•Piloting PBSIS (Positive Behavior Support in Schools) in three of our K8 schools to promote positive behavior and improved school climates

– Planning similar intervention programs for our early childhood and high school students


35

Families & Partnerships•Continued parent and community engagement though additional roundtables and community cabinet meetings

– Hosted 4 community meetings and 8 focus group events in 2 months

•Establishing “Parent and Community Centers” in our city’s 4 wards in partnership with the Office of the Mayor to ensure parents have access to clear information about educational options for their students•Re-engaging recent dropouts through a home visit campaign

– Of the ~350 students who have recently dropped out, we have already re-enrolled more than 50 students

School Options•Launched an RFP seeking additional Renaissance school project applicants to partner with the district starting in the fall of 2014•Supported the takeover of Freedom Academy by Democracy Prep to improve rigor and school quality

• Based on the findings of our transition period, we are finalizing a strategic plan to be rolled out later this month– It aims to address the concerns that we heard voiced by our families and the

community, including:• Academic rigor• School-level resources• School safety• Building quality• Access to information

• Following the roll-out of the strategic plan, we will re-engage with families at the school level to discuss how the strategic plan commitments will improve education options for all students in their community

Next StepsNext Steps

camden city schools

Documents

school work

school community

camden city students

meelementary students

daysthe challenge

traditional district

studentsstaff members

themstaff members