2008-2009 CWCS Department Goals
Advisor Team
To help students achieve through:
- Instructing
and coaching Education Specialists in the application
of current school policies and procedures.
- Training and
advising ESs on all aspects of their job: attendance rollsheets,
high school graduation issues, student course content, assigning appropriate Carnegie units, portfolios, report
cards, learning records, curriculum selection, ordering and receiving, educational
philosophies, interpreting test scores (STAR, Scantron scores and
WRAT), contract programs appropriateness
and processes, PLIPS, NCLB implementation, and basic IT support for database
and e-mail.
- Making suggestions
on organization/refinement/structure and update of ES manual.
- Ensuring that
accurate records are being kept through ES instruction and the monitoring
of learning records, transcripts, funding, graduation paperwork, transfers, etc.
- Providing input
in refining school policy/procedure for clarity purposes.
- Resolving parent
concerns and conflict through clarification and mediation.
- Training and
communicating with new ESs.
- Assisting Education
Specialists in improving their job performance by conducting evaluations
and providing feedback throughout the year.
- Approving graduating
of qualified candidates through collecting, assessing, and processing graduation
packet paperwork.
- Providing encouragement
and support to students, parents, and educational specialists.
Assessment
Department
- 99% STAR and
Tenth Grade CAHSEE participation.
- 98% Twelfth
Graders pass CAHSEE.
- Monthly training
practice for ES’s with regards to state mandatory testing and effective
communication.
- Write helpful procedures/checklists for
site coordinators to use when receiving and returning testing materials
- Update ES Manual with step-by-step WRAT
administration directions
- Train CELDT
examiners in first two weeks of August to ensure CELDT tests are administered
as needed within 30 days of enrollment for initial tests and by Oct. 31st
for annual tests.
- Communicate CELDT results with ESes and parents within 30 days of receiving scores
- Set up and
secure testing sites along with site coordinators early enough to make sure
they are all sufficiently trained.
- Provide a more in-depth training for the
Site Coordinators.
- Have assessment
clerk routinely enter data for the WRAT test taken by all our K &1st grade
students and any second graders unable to take the Scantron as
identified by ESs and
advisors. (Generate missing
WRAT score reports September 30,
December 30, and March 30)
- Recruit parent
volunteers for STAR testing assistance by November and communicate monthly
via email with training materials.
- Write up all
assessment policy and procedures that have not been written down.
- Continue Pre-ID
answer documents for both the CAHSEE and STAR tests.
- Hire District
Coordinators for PFT, STAR, and CAHSEE testing by Sept. 1.
- Create training
DVDs for STAR, CELDT, and CAHSEE coordinators and test administers.
- Scantron Pre
and Post test 98% of second through twelfth graders.
- Create and
implement an efficient procedure for obtaining CELDT and CAHSEE scores from
previous schools in a timely manner.
- Check Spring Break dates of school districts
within our test site areas when we set test dates.
- Locate a new Bay Area test site more centrally
located in the Alameda/Hayward area.
- Set up PFT data input online using Moodle
- Review and
revise FRED assessment layouts for maximum efficiency
Curriculum Department
•
Create elementary math pacing guides for new Houghton Mifflin Math program
for 2008/09 implementation.
• Assist Debbie with middle school math pacing guides.
•
Monitor the high school intervention core class for 9th graders in an effort
to increase student achievement on the CAHSEE and STAR.
•
Continue to promote the use of Holt curriculum by 6-12th grade students and
support successful implementation by all users.
•
Continue to promote the use of standards-aligned material for all students
and support / train parents in home-school use.
•
Hold monthly curriculum workshops for parents at the MLC.
•
Maintain an A-G resource and reserve shelves at each Learning center so ESs
and families can preview curriculum and use support pieces or TEs on-site.
•
Continue to offer “curriculum office hours” at the Modesto Learning Center
to meet with parents and ESs re: curriculum suggestions, ideas, and help with
standards.
•
Help implement / maintain library procedures and curriculum shelves
•
Continue to use data as a tool to target school and student needs and create
solutions. (compare Core class STAR results, CAHSEE for 10th and 12th graders…
•
Monitor progress of 10th and 12th graders who must participate in a CWCS CAHSEE
Intensive Intervention Plan.
•
Continue to research and preview curriculum programs in an effort to find
and promote sound educational materials for CWCS students.
Using
Data to Improve Instruction Goals
Goal: Increase
the number of students scoring proficient and above in ELA and Mathematics,
K-12, as determined by the STAR CST (Gr.2-11) and WRAT4 (K-1)
Purpose
• Improving instructional practices based on data analysis (WASC)
• Showing continued and significant API and AYP growth
• Meeting student achievement growth requirements through research-based practices
• Validating and confirming the personalized learning / independent study
home school model
Objectives
With an instructional focus, the objectives of CWCS are to:
• Increase awareness of student progress using available assessment data
-Outcome assessment - State STAR program
-Benchmark assessment Edusoft
-Placement assessment – Scantron, WRAT4
• Determine which curriculum materials are currently in use in Language Arts
and Math
• Identify the relationship between student achievement and the curriculum
and instructional practices used for the student
• Make curriculum choices/changes based on a vetted selection of research
and standards-aligned materials in Language Arts
• Use adult-directed instruction for students at a proficient level and below
on the STAR CST data
• Review student PLIPs for specific current objectives; adjust the PLIP during
the year based on data
Implementation Strategies (Tentative)
ES Networking
•October: Tech check to unlock Edusoft, if needed
•November: Analyzing CST data
•December: Portfolios
•January: Curriculum and instructional practices for ELA & Math
•February: ALL Staff Meeting
ES workshops:
1. What curriculum are your top and lower students using?
2. Looking at student learning objectives from post Scantron
•March: Portfolios - look at post Scantron and the needed objectives
•April: No meeting
•May: Reflection activity
•August: Scantron and STAR comparison
ES Support Department
- Continue to review and update each
document in the ES manual for accuracy in process and procedures, and assist
assessment, guidance, and curriculum departments in updating their
information for the ESes.
- Maintain updates in the Advisor and the
AF Manuals.
- Maintain New CWCS ES Training for newly
hired ESs both on the web and in the database; and initiate and complete
the initial training with any newly hired ESes.
- Provide training through various departments
(assessment, curriculum, guidance, and math and LA specialists) and by guest
speakers for ESs at two All ES Meetings, incorporating suggestions of specific
ES requests.
- Provide training for ESes based on ES paperwork timetable, Administrative
requests, ES requests, School Department requests, that will be sent on
the ES list serve if needed and if approved by school director, and incorporated
into monthly agendas, new ES training, and the ES manual as needed.
- Work with IEM Support staff and CWCS Executive
Director to develop any database helps or processes for the ESes, or other school departments; as well as help solve
any problems that might arise that make it so that the ESes can not effectively complete their job requirements.
- Provide continued support to IEM Support
Staff and CWCS staff and employees and ESes by
responding to questions, posting any needed information to the school webpage,
and collating integral concepts and reminders in a monthly agenda to be
used in the ES meetings.
- Provide continued support to ESes by collecting, collating, and responding to their
networking, monthly suggestions, and questions from their summaries of the
ES meetings.
Guidance Department
The Goals of Connecting
Waters Charter School are: to improve student achievement in Reading and Writing, to
improve student achievement in Mathematics, and to increase STAR participation
rate to 100%.
• Offer individual planning meetings
to Class of 09 in the spring of 11th grade and follow it up with the Senior
letter sent in the fall
• Offer individual planning meetings to all students where students and parents
can call to set up counseling appointments
• Administer the PSAT test on October 15, 2008 at the Ceres 7th Day Adventist
Church
• Education and Career Planning Fall 08-09 for all 9th graders, 3 sections
offered each semester; if interest, internship course offered for 11th and
12th graders-one section offered specifically for 11th/12th (Prereq.-Ed/Career
Planning or similar course if taken at another school) – Melissa Cripe primary
instructor
• Administer the PLAN (practice ACT) test on November 7, 2008 at the Modesto
Learning Center
• Assist students in finding AP exam locations, administer individual exams
as needed in May
• Offer study skills course for 1 unit, taught by Mary Halter
• Develop curriculum for Study Skills/Success Strategies course for 5 credits
to be offered to all 10th graders (optional) in the 09-10 school year
• Continue to offer: College Basics 101 workshop, MJC presentation, Delta
College presentation, High School Orientation
• Continue several Elluminate workshop sessions: College Basics 101, and several
opportunities for High School Orientation with goal of reaching all incoming
9th graders with Bay Area workshops
• Continue to update and maintain the guidance page on our website and include
updated information about scholarships, career information, and summer opportunities
and include policy changes and updates per ES Agendas and monthly newsletters
• Continue to include organized trips to colleges, including UC Merced, CSU
Stanislaus, MJC, Delta, and local private colleges
• Continue to promote excellence and high standards by educating parents,
students and ES’s on UC/CSU entrance requirements, SAT/ACT, and a-g coursework
• Continue with interim plan for Principal approved online a-g courses through
approved HQT vendors until further notified by UC, update 0809 list of vendors
• Keep informed and updated with UC changes in online policy and independent
study policy, expected to be implemented by Fall 2008
• Offer Career Expo, list of contacts will be given to secretarial support
staff to follow up
• Awards Ceremony for CSF, NHS and Class of 09
Learning Centers
Ceres
Learning Center
Goals-
•
Provide curriculum materials for students and ESs.
•
Provide Resource material for students and ESs
•
Provide a Reading Library for students
•
Maintain Curriculum and Library books in Surpass Library system. This includes
checking materials in and out as well as adding additional titles to our library.
•
Provide an area for ES/parent curriculum pick-up and drop-off.
•
Schedule Center CP classes each semester and as needed.
•
Provide a computer lab for students to use for Scantron testing and educational
purposes.
•
Provide a meeting place for ES/Parent monthly meetings, CP courses, tutoring,
music lessons (piano and guitar), Special Education meetings, and various
workshops.
•
Provide access to school information (listservs, newsletters, work permits,
sign up forms, etc) for families without Internet Access.
•
Print, file and scan benchmark exams for student use.
•
Provide extra support staff to the Assessment Department during the testing
window and as needed.
Modesto
Learning Center
Goals-
- Provide a computer lab for students to
use for Scantron and educational purposes.
- Schedule CP classes by semester and as
needed.
- Provide a meeting place for intake meetings,
special education meetings, CP courses, workshops, ES/Parent meetings, tutoring
and Back-to-School Night, Student Council, Yearbook
class, HS Testing for Guidance Department and Curriculum Dept. Hours
- Provide curriculum materials for our new
Intake Appointments
- Provide a Reading Library for students
- Provide Resource material for students
and ESs
- Continue to add Curriculum and Library
books to the Surpass Library system as well as check in/out and reserve
curriculum for families and ESs.
- Provide an area for ES/parent curriculum
pick-up and drop-off.
- Print and file benchmark exams for student
use.
- Provide Assessment a locked room for STAR
and CAHSEE exams and a place to sorting.
- Provide Space for the Assessment Department
during the testing window
- Provide a drop off for Obsolete Computers
and Curriculum
Language Arts Department
•
Provide ongoing Parent and ES workshops on Meeting the Writing Standards K-12
•
Provide workshops on How to use Standards Based Adopted Curriculum/Houghton
Mifflin/Holt including assessments.
•
Provide individualized assessment needs and offer suggested curriculum.
•
Provide support to ESs in the area of Language Arts
•
Provide support for CAHSEE Prep curriculum and offer workshops.
•
Provide support to English Department through collaboration for the development
of on-line communities and for the development of specific on-line teaching
strategies for Moodle.
Math Department
- Develop and
maintain lists of approved HQT tutors and CAHSEE prep tutors.
- Provide tutors
with information and training, if necessary, to best assist students with
CAHSEE prep.
- Work with Lori Freeman to provide intervention for students
not passing the CAHSEE
- Provide and
oversee a variety of math courses at both learning centers
- Provide drop-in
coaching at both learning centers to assist students and parents with math
content questions
- Provide 7-12
grade students with support and instruction from highly qualified instructors, using the online Elluminate
platform
- Provide a resource
for parents to ask questions regarding math concepts or teaching techniques.
This would be in the form of a workshop, online training, or availability
through phone or email.
- Expand enrichment
opportunities for students through involvement in the High School Math Competition,
a math competition for younger students, and possibly an online math club
- Promote interest
in math and ideas for home study by offering family math events at the Modesto
Learning Center
and possibly other areas.
- Promote the
learning of basic math facts—addition and multiplication--in the elementary
grades.
- Develop and
implement benchmarks to include kindergarten and grade 1
Parent
Support
- Contact our
new enrolled families to see if their needs are being met
- Attend each
Parent Council Meetings (4)
- Help coordinate
Back to School Night and Open House
- Assist in
coordinating and the developing of the Parent Workshop Training in the areas
of Math, Science, Reading
and Writing.
- Increase more
communication with our families
- Maintain the
CWCSParent Listserve
- Encourage
our families to join the CWCS Parent Listserve to be better informed about
school activities, training and etc.
- Design and
layout the CWCS Monthly Newsletters
- Be available
to meet with prospective and existing parents at both the Modesto and Ceres Learning
Centers
- Be available
to meet new families at the Intake Meetings
- Help facilitate
the 8th grade and HS Graduations
- Be of assistance
to the Executive Director and Waterford main office as needed
- Be available
by phone or in person or email for enrollment calls
Science Department
- Provide students
in grades 9-12 with quality Elluminate classes
- Encourage
parents/students to participate in Science Fair
- Involve parents
and students in Science Olympiad and provide online coaching using Elluminate
- Continue to
research science websites with interactive activities
Special
Education
• Formulate policies, procedures, and guidelines for charter
school staff to insure compliance with special education mandates.
• Train, supervise, and evaluate staff assigned to the special
education department.
• Interface with Waterford School District and the Stanislaus
Special Education Plan Area (SELPA) about potential special education issues
and/or policies and procedures, and
implementation of the new Web-based Individual Education
Plans (IEP) system.
• Coordinate Child Find mandates, by departmental contact
with all perspective students who have indicated they have received special
education or have a 504 Accommodation Plan
• Coordinate Student Study Team (SST) as another portion
of the mandated Child Find process.
• Interact with special education students and their families
to clarify and maintain legally required special education compliance and
provide curriculum support
• Interface with local agencies, school districts, county
offices of education, or private vendors to procure services for students
with exceptional needs. Develop and monitor contracts for
these specialized services.
• Develop assessment plans in conjunction with parents and
charter staff as legally mandated. Interpret assessment results to ensure
the proper placement and development of a student’s
Individual Education Plans (IEP).
• When deemed appropriate by the Executive Director, serve
as the administrator of record at IEP meetings.
• Assist in identifying and articulating the accommodations
needed for special education students to participate in standardized testing
(STAR); the California High School Exit Exam
(CAHSEE); or college entrance examinations
• As indicated through the IEP process, provide required
training and support to educational specialists, and provide annual in-service
training on special education policies and
procedures
• Prepare and monitor budgets and submit requisitions, invoices,
or monthly billing statements to appropriate financial departments for payment.
Order materials needed for special
education departmental operations
• Develop and oversee all required state and federal reports
related to special education. Insure their timely submission as legally mandated