CRITICAL AREAS FOR FOLLOW-UPFROM

2006 SELF STUDY AND 2009 MID-TERM PROGRESS VISIT

TECH HIGH WASCParent Presentation

What is WASC?

Western Association of Schools and Colleges One of SIX Regional accrediting associations which

assesses the accreditation worthiness of schools and colleges in the U.S.

Why accreditation? Assures a school community that the school’s

purposes are appropriate and being accomplished through a viable education program—i.e., a trustworthy institution for student learning

Validates integrity of the school’s program and transcripts

Fosters improvement of school’s programs and operations to support student learning

KEEPING IT REAL

This is (only) Tech High’s SECOND self studyAreas of critical follow-up are

recommendations from the visitation committee They are valid and reliable to a point

Sometimes they are not always grounded in reality Sometimes they are

Our challenge is to reflect and dialogue• Validate and celebrate what we have done• Determine as a collective entity what (else) we can do• Understand our limitations and constraints as a collective

entityAccept reality and continue to move forward

• Sometimes it is what it is…

Mid-Term Critical Areas of Focus

Critical areas of focus and critical areas needing specific attention are follow-up and evolutions from the 2006 WASC Visitation AND the Mid-Term Progress Visit 2006 committee made specific recommendations which

they intended to follow-up in 2009 2009 visit generated some responses to original

recommendation along with a few additional areas in need of attention Again, some is valid and reliable to a point, some of it is what

it is We will validate and celebrate where we’re at and what

we’ve done, with what we have—right here and right now…

Critical Area #1

The site administration and district need to collaborate to build a plan that will increase the stability of the teaching staff at Technology High School. This will help to build and strengthen a professional

environment characterized by high trust and contribute to the focus on continuous improvement processes that enhance student learning outcomes

Meaning…

We must stem the tide of high turnover and build capacity for a formal teacher leadership structure and to advance and sustain a climate of stability, coherence, and cohesion…

Critical Area #2

Technology High School leadership and stakeholders need to review their vision and mission statement in order to ensure that it is relevant, current, and clearly and accurately reflects what the school wants to accomplish for students and what students learn

Tech High Vision Statement

At Technology High School, students, staff, parents and our community partners understand what it takes to foster successful lifelong learning. All Technology High School community members have a voice and work together toward the development of the whole child; preserving their uniqueness while preparing them to be a productive, contributing member of our diverse society.

The community promotes high expectations for academic excellence through five tenets. Student achievement is accomplished through innovative, powerful project-based teaching and learning of the standards-based integrated curriculum in a safe, caring small school environment. Students are empowered to manage their learning through the use of technology tools. Instruction is personalized and differentiated based on the learning styles of the student. Students are assessed using multiple measures which help guide staff in supporting student achievement. Standards-aligned research-based instructional strategies are the focal point of the school’s professional development program.

Critical Area #3

The Technology High School leadership and staff need to review the stated Expected School-Wide Learning Results to ensure their relevance and linkage with the vision and mission of the school. This process should include the analysis of student performance data as well as a broader base of stakeholder input.

Meaning…

Essential Abilities were a deviation from Expected School-Wide Learning Results (ESLRs) Although idealistic, this deviation was not in

alignment with core principles of WASC in the scope and context of ESLRs Pandora’s box…

If these are your essential abilities, how do you measure, monitor, and determine student success?

Critical Area #4

There is need to put in place a process that will ensure student opportunity to acquire the learning experiences necessary to accomplish the Expected School-Wide Learning Results and to clear define and accurately asses student progress toward achievement

Critical Area #5

The site and district administration need to work together to develop and implement a long and short range fiscal plan that will facilitate the school’s ability to better meet the needs of students

Reality check…

The district financial position is dire at best… This reality is beyond our control All we can do is to put forth the best we can, with

what we have, where we are right now…

The bottom line is we are trying to maintain a “Cadillac” program on a “Pinto” budget

Critical #6

The is a need for the Technology High School leadership to clearly develop and establish processes and procedures that focus on the analysis of student performance data utilizing this information to guide educational decisions and allocation of resources

Meaning…

We as a staff have challenged ourselves to ask ansd answer TWO (2) questions (to and of ourselves): How do we know that students are learning? What are we doing when we realize they are not

learning?

Critical Area #7

The Technology High School leadership and faculty need to address the issue of inconsistent application of Project-Based Learning across the curriculum

Meaning…

There were some gaps and/or inconsistencies in implementation of Project-Based Learning activities across the curriculum PBL focus was simply Integrated Science What they were looking for is PBL across ALL

disciplines For the most-part there IS PBL across ALL subject-area

disciplines INCLUDING connected or interdisciplinary

components as well

Critical Area #8

There is a need for the school administration and site leadership team to review and revise the current Action Plan in order to include the above school-wide critical areas of follow-up provided by the Visiting Committee The Action Plan should also be revised as needed to include the

following (where necessary): Rationale statement Link the goal to student learning Expanded description of tasks included in achieving action plan Review of persons responsible to ensure equitable distribution of

responsibility and timelines Specify growth targets in the assessment section of Action Plan Designate benchmark indicators of progress towards growth targets,

when appropriate in the assessment section of Action Plan

Meaning…

Action Plan was too busy and there was some question as to whether (or not) the objectives were realistically attainable

Action Plan should be lofty and ambitious SMART goals

Specific Measureable Attainable Realistic Timely

It’s quite alright if we haven’t made the mark on our goals and objectives In fact, recognition that we have not (at times) makes the Action

Plan analysis more authentic—valid and reliable

Critical Area—in need of further attention

Assessment plan for ESLRsFiscal planData analysis plan to guide educational

decisionsAction Plan

Present Status on These…

Essential Abilities are now ESLRsWe cannot control the district’s budget situation

Hence we will not go thereTeacher leadership

Focused on benchmarks and Tier II (RTI) interventions Formative assessment for Algebra readiness Criterion Online

Benchmark for writing across all grade levels ALEKS—Algebra I benchmark

Action Plan We will ALL walk that walk together as an entire school-

wide community…

New Areas of Follow-up in need of attention

Increase access of technology for all studentsIncreased academic support for struggling

studentsMaintenance of financial support of the

school at former funding levelsIncrease the gender and ethnic diversity of

the school to reflect the diversity of the community

Status of These

Technology Computer lab Wireless access points Laptops for student use Ongoing challenges reflective of budgetary realities

Academic supports for struggling students AVID 9 and AVID 10

Equity and access to success for ALL studentsFinancial Support

Again, we have no control of this oneDiversity

AVID We are striving for equity and access for all students who have the

desire, determination, and motivation to succeed here at Tech High

WASC ROADMAP MOVING FORWARD

Draft document (Greg) Chapters 1-3 (School Profile, Performance Data,

Progress)Self study findings Committee Focus Groups

Chapter 4 Organization Curriculum Instruction Assessment and Accountability School Climate and Culture

School-Wide Action Plan (ALL) Chapter 5

WASC TIMELINE

Draft document—end of SeptemberSchool-wide survey—end of September

Staff Students stakeholders

Committee focus groups—October/ongoingWASC Pre-Visit— Friday November 2nd Final Document—late January early FebruaryFinal Preparations—January-MarchWASC Visit—April 15-17 (2013)

Expected School-Wide Learning Results

Personal IntegrityEffective CommunicationCritical ThinkingCitizenship and Global ResponsibilityReflective Learning

PARENT SURVEY RESULTS

198 Respondents 78% of parents –thank you

Breakdown of Respondents

Freshman 25.3% 50Sophomore 18.2% 36Junior 31.3% 62Senior 19.7% 39

Multiple grade levels 5.6% 11

“Teachers and staff are responsive in addressing parental concerns related to student progress...”

Strongly Agree 52.8% 103Agree 25.1%

49Somewhat Agree 17.9%

35Somewhat Disagree 1.5% 3Disagree 1.5% 3Strongly Disagree 1.0% 2

“…Tech High School is doing a good job preparing students for future college and career opportunities…”

Strongly Agree 70.7% 140Agree 14.6%

29Somewhat Agree 13.1%

26Somewhat Disagree 1.0% 2Disagree .5% 1Strongly Disagree 0 0

“…The instructional program at Tech High is rigorous and aligned with California State Standards…”

Strongly Agree 69.2% 137Agree 18.8% 37Somewhat Agree 11.6%

23Somewhat Disagree 0 0Disagree .5% 1Strongly Disagree 0 0

“…Homework assignments and Project-based learning tasks are relevant and meaningful for students…”

Strongly Agree 66.2% 131Agree 15.2%

30Somewhat Agree 15.7%

31Somewhat Disagree 1.0% 2Disagree 1.5% 3Strongly Disagree .5% 1

“…School counseling staff provides students adequate assistance with academic guidance and/or college and career planning…”

Strongly Agree 67.2% 131Agree 15.4%

30Somewhat Agree 13.3%

26Somewhat Disagree 1.5% 3Disagree 1.0% 2Strongly Disagree 1.5% 2

“…School leadership is supportive as it relates to responding to the academic and programmatic needs of students…”

Strongly Agree 58.5% 114Agree 15.4%

30Somewhat Agree 20.0% 39Somewhat Disagree 2.1% 4Disagree 3.1% 6Strongly Disagree 1.0 2

“…Tech High is a desirable school site because it is located on the SSU campus…”

Strongly Agree 67.5% 133Agree 15.2%

30Somewhat Agree 14.2%

28Somewhat Disagree 0 0Disagree 2.5% 5Strongly Disagree .5% 1

“…I am satisfied with my child's overall learning experience at Tech High…”

Strongly Agree 72.7%144

Agree 11.6%23

Somewhat Agree 11.1%22

Somewhat Disagree 1.5% 2Disagree 2.5% 5Strongly Disagree 1.5% 1

Open-Ended Responses

If any of your responses were "disagree, somewhat disagree, or strongly disagree“ please take a moment to share why; as well, as your suggestions as to how we may improve

Guidelines or Conditions

Speak your truth, keep it real (personal, local, immediate)

Keep an open mindWhen necessary, allow yourself to feel some

level of discomfortBut, remain engagedDo not take or direct things personallyWe all have a valuable role in this processIf necessary, accept non-closure

Parent Response…

“…Please offer more relevant technology classes. Computer sciences comes to mind. Classes on engineering are good, but teach them about manufacturing and assembly processes as well…”

Parent Response

“…I have concerns regarding the ability to keep evolved in my students progress. Teachers who do not grade or review tests in a timely manner or do not postgrades are not providing an environment for students to thrive and succeed. Teachers need to provide this information so parents can stay involvedacademically…”

Parent Response

“…Although I am very satisfied with the Tech High experience for my child I continue to feel that the English/Language Arts instruction has been the weak link for the past three years…”

Parent Response…

“…While I support the sports program, I do not feel that the entry requirements should have been lowered to fill the sporting needs. Tech High seems to hold a high regard with colleges and the fact that the entry level requirements have been lowered so that we can support sports teams seems contradictory to the values the Tech High has promoted in years past…”

Parent Response…

“…I've seen a gradual shift in what is important at Tech High. Sports, while a great addition seem to be trumping the reason students originally wanted to attend Tech High. In the past few years, we feel the overall "feel" of the school has changed and it doesn't feel like the same, small school, college bound supportive community it once was. While once feeling like the teachers, administrators and parents were once a working team for each student, that does not seem to be the feeling we get anymore…”

Parent Response…

“…It seems that this school is only happy with positive feedback regarding my child, and if I give feedback that is useful for the growth of the school and my child it is disregarded or held against my child…”

Parent Response…

“…I would appreciate if the progress reports had actual progress for all classes. Previous progress reports had "Passing" or other vague terms because the…teacher was not current on grading…”

Parent Response…

“…online grades would be a great way for parents to stay notified of their students current academic status…”

Parent Response…

“…I've sent maybe three e-mails to teachers/admin that contained my concerns since we started. I didn't receive responses to any of those three. I've drawn the conclusion that it is considered acceptable to avoid parent feedback if it is not favorable. A simple "I got it" would have been a sufficient response for any of my e-mails…”

Parent Response…

“…Please tone down the hype and favoritism to sports participants. Letting them leave class early promotes the idea that sports are important and academics are not. Please let our bright kids know they are valued for their minds as well!!!”

Discussion…

Thoughts or reactions to the survey results In general (???)

Specific (???)

What are your thoughts or reactions to the student responses? In general (???) Specific (???)

Discussion…

What are your thoughts about what we do well here at Tech High?

What are your thoughts about some of the things we could improve upon here at Tech High?

What changes do you think we need to make in order for the learning experience more powerful and meaningful for you?

Next Focus Group

We will begin looking at the specific components of the Self Study in terms of our dialogue…

October 8th Organization: Vision and Purpose Governance Leadership and Staff Resources