Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)

One Day Visit to LACES

Spring 2009

Background

• LACES had its first WASC evaluation March, 2006

• A team of educational leaders from outside LAUSD evaluated our school program focusing on six areas:– Vision and Purpose– Curriculum– Instruction– Assessment & Accountability– School Culture– School-Wide

Background Cont.• The LACES community (teachers, parents, students, staff,

leadership team) prepared for the WASC visit by closely examining evidence in both department meetings as well as in focus groups aligned to the WASC areas of focus.

• Evidence included– Student Work– CST– Report Cards– AP’s– CAHSEE– Attendance Rates– Survey Results

• We prepared a 154-page self-assessment including our strengths, key issues, and how we were addressing the issues

Background Cont.

• The WASC visiting committee, headed by Dr. Joann Tortarolo, the Alternative Programs Director of SBCUSD, spent three days visiting classrooms to validate the LACES Self-Study Report

• The WASC Accreditation Team awarded LACES with a six-year term with a one-day visit in year three.

• The team left us with a great many commendations and some recommendations, which we have been continually addressing along with issues we deem important.

Background Cont.

• Each year we have been making progress addressing the key issues

• The progress made and action plan for following year is recorded annually in the Single Plan for Student Achievement

• In addition, Principal continually reports progress to faculty, Shared Decision Make (SDM), and School Site Council (SSC)

• What follows is a very early draft of our interim WASC report, ready for your edits.

Vision and Purpose

Areas of StrengthAreas of Strength• Creative master schedule• Commitment of preparation

of A-G req.• Exceptional parent support• Outreach to parents• Willingness of staff to go

“Above and Beyond” the call of duty

• Unified vision of every student attending a four year college

Key IssuesKey Issues • # of non-NCLB compliant

teachers• Cohesive staff development

plan• Leadership opportunities for

Classified• Roles and responsibilities of

teams

LACES Continued Progress

• Working on being fully staffed with NCLB Compliant Teachers– The few long-term substitutes are strong teachers working under

the guidance of experienced teachers, department chairs, and administration team.

• Staff Development Committee creates, implements, and evaluates annual plan – Based on deficits highlighted in disaggregated data and surveys

• To encourage more growth, Principal and administrative team circulates information about:– Coordinator positions, coaching positions, professional

development opportunities, and encourages all to participate in staff development and decision making councils (SDM, SSC, CEAC)

Curriculum

Areas of StrengthAreas of Strength• All students take A-G

req. classes• All students take 7

classes• Honors and AP classes

are open to all students• 9th grade Life Skills

class• Several Clubs which

support Academic success

Key IssuesKey Issues • Common assessments• Professional

development

LACES Continued Progress

• LACES faculty has worked to improve AP readiness for all students– AP Outreach Night 2007-2008– Open door policy based on willingness to do work– Tutoring Programs to address deficits and stimulate success

• Department are in various stages of implementing Common Assessments– SPA’s– Shared test questions

• Annual Professional Development Plan– Created by committee in response to deficits highlighted by

disaggreated data and surveys

Instruction

Areas of StrengthAreas of Strength• Challenging classes

available to all students

• Use of CA content standards

• Regular staff mtg. to discuss academic performance

Key IssuesKey Issues • Helping all students

be successful• Internal

achievement gap• Funding concerns

LACES Continued Progress• Collaborative faculty exchange curriculum based on standards and

instructional techniques in department meetings• Staff Development Plan includes grade-level meetings to address:

– Strengths, concerns, strategies, motivation techniques– How to meet the needs of lower performing students

• Additional instructional time after school– Paid for by Title I, new to LACES in 2007– Step program, math tutoring, peer tutoring, Saturday programs– Black Parent Organization and Latino Parent Organization enhanced

involvement including at home study groups• Period by Period Tardy Sweeps• All sixth graders take an enriched English Class

– Honors program begins in seventh grade– Supplemental English instruction provided as needed

Assessment & Accountability

Areas of StrengthAreas of Strength• Variety of

assessment tools• Beyond the Bell• Progress reports• Peer Counseling• Parent volunteers

Key IssuesKey Issues • Data driven

professional development

• Lower performing student achievement

• Funding sources

LACES Continued Progress

• Staff Development more data driven– Buy Back Day and additional Staff Development days

focus on developing strategies to address deficits highlighted by disaggregated Report Cards, CST, AP’s, SAT’s and evaluating effectiveness

– Department meetings address curriculum needs continuously

• Counseling Department Expands Services– Two full-time middle school counselors– Step Program: targeted assistance with follow through– CAHSEE intervention program

School Culture

Areas of StrengthAreas of Strength• Teacher commitment• Communication

systems• Diverse Clubs• College counseling• Hybrid teacher-advisor• Friends of LACES

(F.O.L.)

Key IssuesKey Issues • Strategies for

struggling students• Achievement in Math

(Algebra)• Timely students testing

data• $ for tutoring

LACES Continued Progress• School Culture Evolving

– 2007 smaller sixth grade class– Due to retiring faculty and promotions, new, younger teachers coming on board– Eligible for Title 1 due to 41% participation on Free and Reduced Lunch Program

• Title I Targeted Assistance (2007-2008) and School-wide (2008-2009)– Additional Funds for extended learning opportunities after school and on Saturdays– Community outreach and parent education programs

• Math Enrichment Programs– Math Mania, Algebra Experience, Study Groups, Calculus Camps, Math Problem Solving

• Enhanced involvement of parent groups– Black Parent Organization, Latino Parent Organization, Korean Parent Organization

• First School-wide “U House” Picnic Spring 2008• Class clubs build unity from 6-12th grade• Enrichment Program

– Music Center presentations and numerous field trips• Middle School Programs to augment high school

– Leadership and Journalism– Enrichment Classes: Academic Pentathlon, Mesa, Problem-Solving

School-wideAreas of StrengthAreas of Strength

• Staff committed to preparing students for college

• Rigorous and challenging curriculum

• High degree of parent participation

• Determination and character of students

• Staff pride in school• Safe, caring and clean

environment• Staff willingness to take on

extra duties• Exceptional 1st time pass rate

on CAHSEE and high rank for API

Key IssuesKey Issues • Development of long range

Action Plan• Development of a long range

Staff Development Plan• Leadership responsibilities for

newer, less-experienced teachers

• Expand upon student support strategies and interventions

• Closing the achievement gap for African American and Latino students

LACES Continued Progress• Single Plan for Student Achievement

– Assessment of achievement data– Long-range Action Plan to address key issues– Alignment of all school reform measures and budgets

• Additional funds for school improvement through Title I

• Staff Development Committee – Continual cycle of data and survey assessment, creating programs to address needs,

evaluation• Leadership Experiences for newer teachers

– Literacy and History Coach promotions– New Magnet Coordinator and Athletic Director– New dance and drama programs

• Closing the Achievement Gap– Expanded Counseling Support

• Two-new full time counselors and Step Program– All Sixth graders have enriched English program – Supplemented as needed so all have a chance to promote to seventh grade honors

• Continual push for all students to maximize their potential and take advantage of all the academic opportunities available.