Table of Contents

Executive Summary:Memo to Texas RE: Alternative Education

1

Dropouts 2

Effects of Poverty

Educating beyond Irritating Behaviors

3

4

Concerted Cultivation5

On-line Learning

C t B d C i l

6

Capacity Building as P.D.

Computer Based Curriculum (CBC) 7

8

9Legacy of Success: P thfi d 2004 2009

10Pathfinders 2004-2009

512-393-6744 501 South LBJ Drive P.O. Box 1087 San Marcos, TX 78667-1087

Patty Shafer, Ed.D.

Superintendent of Schools

October 12, 2010

Educational Technology Services

Attn: Derly Tijerina

1256 Main Street, Suite 263

Southlake, TX 76092

Dear Mr. Tijerina:

It is my privilege to write this endorsement pertaining to the A+ Learning System (A+LS) and its

successful history in San Marcos CISD. The software was first used in our alternative program

called Pathfinders in 2004, and has since expanded to include the alternative program (now called

Phoenix Academy), San Marcos High School, Rebound Center, Goodnight Middle School, and

Miller Middle School. Together, students at these campuses logged 80,800 hours from August

2009 to June 2010, with the Phoenix Academy accounting for 54,429 of those hours.

At San Marcos CISD, the A+LS software has been instrumental in dropout prevention, credit

accrual, accelerated instruction, and –in the long run—numerous high school diplomas. The

program has proven to be cost effective, creative, and easily adaptable to the needs of our

District. The Phoenix staff tells me that students are so comfortable with the software that they

learn easier and, consequently, behave better.

Our District teachers invented a practice casually called ―Just-in-Time Direct Teach.‖ Educators

assist students in their self-paced learning, allowing them to learn as much as they can on their

own, but are able to react quickly if they see a need to specifically address an individual student.

The A+LS has been in place in SMCISD now six years, and is continually being adjusted to meet

our changing needs. What began as a dropout recovery program has grown, with Phoenix

graduating 149 students last year, or roughly 35% of the district’s graduates. Pathfinders, and

later Phoenix, have hosted numerous site visits, helping other districts and schools learn from our

model of success.

I have been around A+LS for years. Still, every time I observe students using A+, I am amazed

with their engagement. I stand prepared and proud to recommend this wonderful program.

Sincerely,

Dr. Patty Shafer,

Superintendent of Schools

Site A+LS Lesson Time (mm:ss)Assess Time 

(mm:ss)Total Time (hh:mm:ss)

San Marcos High School 1080418:19 0:00

Total 1080418:19 0 18006:58:19

Phoenix Academy 3265752:22 0:00

Total 3265752:22 0 54429:12:22

Rebound Center 153994:03 0:00

Total 153994:03 0 2566:34:03

Goodnight Jr High School 171674:15

Total 171674:15 0 2861:14:15

Miller Jr High School 176142:15

Total 176142:15 0 2935:42:15

Total time for all Sites 80799:41:14

August 1,  2009 to June 1, 2010

REPORT DATE: June 25, 2010

2009- 2010 Phoenix End of Year Report

2009-2010 Senior/Graduate Data Data Collected June 4, 2010

There were 422 San Marcos High School graduates. Of the total on June 4, 2010, one hundred forty-eight (149) students were Phoenix graduates.

Phoenix graduates represented (35%) of the total San Marcos High School graduates . Approximate Length of time to Graduate Months

18 – 24 months

(Only four students have been at Phoenix longer than 2 years)

Approximate Length of time to complete 10 credits

Months 12 months

Approximate Length of time to complete all four sections of the TAKS

Months 18 months

1st Semester Seniors per Month (Numbers vary on a daily basis because students graduate, students withdraw pending TAKS, students move up the credit ladder, and new students are added.)

Aug/September October November December

83 seniors 50 seniors 65 seniors 53 seniors

Average # of Seniors from Aug to Dec = 63 Highest # of Seniors in fall semester = 83 Total # of graduates from Aug to Dec = 53

2nd Semester Seniors per Month

January February March April May June

54 seniors 64 seniors 79 seniors 70 seniors 66 seniors 31 seniors

Average # of Seniors from Jan to May = 67 Highest # of Seniors in spring semester = 79 Total # of graduates from Jan to May = 96

Number of Graduates per Graduation Ceremony

Nov December April May

23 grads 30 grads 35 grads 61 grads

Total Graduates

149 grads 35% of the SMCISD graduating class

Number of Graduates who are Parents 25 grads 17% are parents

Number of Graduates who Worked while attending school

39 grads 26% work to support themselves and /or family

Number of Graduates who are At Risk 149 grads 100%

Number of Graduates who are Economically Disadvantaged

149 grads 100%

Ethnic Distribution of Graduates African American Hispanic White

11 grads 113 grads 24 grads

7% 76% 16%

Gender Distribution of Graduates Female Male

77grads 71 grads

52% 48%

Age Distribution of Graduates Age 15 Age 16 Age 17 Age 18 Age 19 Age 20 Age 21

2 grads 13 grads 46 grads 60 grads

21grads 6 grads

1 grad

1% 9% 31% 40% 14% 4% .06%

Distribution by Age-Groups of Graduates

Age 15-16 Age 17 & 18 Age 19, 20 & 21

15 grads 106 grads 28 grads

10%.......Early grads 71%......Graduated at appropriate ages 19%.......Overage grads

2009-2010 Phoenix General Program Data Grades 9-12

Capacity

Day Program Night Program Total

135 students 45 students

180 students

Capacity Based on: 9 teachers (Day) and 3 teachers (Night) 15 computers per room

Students per Month Non Members are TAKS only students who have withdrawn pending TAKS and are assigned to special classes.

Month Capacity Regular Students

TAKS only and Sweep Non-Members***

Total

August 180 231 6 237 September 180 231 8 239 October 180 148 84 232 November 180 156 97 253 December 180 155 96 251 January 180 176 40 216 February 180 182 40 222 March 180 178 42 220 April 180 176 55 231 May 180 177 55 232 June 180 153 ***Student attendance for this

group was good during TAKS camps and sporadic during the course of the year.

Total Number of Individual Students Served

August through June

359 seats filled long term 153 seats filled summer 512 seats total

Total Number of Students Transferred to SMHS

0 students

Total Number of Students Wd to Home School

1 students

Total Number of Students Court Order GED

2 students

Total Number of Students Administrative Withdrawal

4 students

Total Number of Students to Gary Dual Credit Program

20 students

Total Number of Students Moved to other Cities

6 students

Total Number of Students WD Pending TAKS

40 students

Ethnic Distribution (long term) Am. Indian Asian African Am Hispanic White Total

0 students 0 students

26 students 295 students 38 students

359 students

0 % 0 % 7% 82% 11%

Students Employed (long term) 36 students 10% Parenting Students (long term) 26 students 7%

11/17/2008

1

San Marcos High School

Ronda StonecipherSan Marcos CISDDirector of Instructional Technology

Charlene AguayoDean of College Readiness and Career EducationSan Marcos CISD

Everything You Need for Success

evolution genetic erosion plants physics comprehension literacyvocabulary grammar myths novels culture economics democracyrevolution functions statistics summarizing evolution geneticrevolution functions statistics summarizing evolution geneticerosion plants physics comprehension literacy vocabulary grammarmyths novels culture economics democracy revolution functionsstatistics summarizing evolution genetic erosion plants physicscomprehension literacy vocabulary grammar myths novels cultureeconomics democracy revolution functions statistics summarizingevolution genetic erosion plants physics comprehension literacyevolution genetic erosion plants physics comprehension literacyvocabulary grammar myths novels culture economics democracyrevolution functions statistics summarizing evolution geneticerosion plants physics comprehension literacy vocabulary grammarmyths novels culture economics democracy revolution functionsstatistics summarizing evolution genetic erosion plants physicscomprehension literacy vocabulary grammar myths novels culture

11/17/2008

2

Bilingual Instruction

• Whole Group Instruction

• Support Classroom Instruction

• Scaffolding prerequisite skills

• Receive Credit if behind in credits

3

Direct Instruction

• Whole Group Instruction

• Alignment w/Scope & Sequence

• Enhance Lessons with UnitedStreaming Video and Other Resources

P j t

4

• Projector

• Clickers

11/17/2008

3

Credit Recovery

• Criteria

• Number of Students ServedNumber of Students Served

• Lab Assistant

• Certified Teachers in the Class

• More Than One Class

• Must Take Notes

5

• No Notes, No Credit

5

• Criteria

• Number of Students Served

Certified Teachers

Math Labs

• Certified Teachers

• Use Career & Tech Labs

• Backup Plan if Student Fails

6

11/17/2008

4

• Criteria

• Number Students Served

Certified Teachers

Summer School

• Certified Teachers

• Use Career & Tech Labs

• Must Take Notes

7

QuestionsQuestions