Second Focus Group Meeting 3/18/04

In attendance: Ruth Womack, Melinda Cox (new ES), Becky Rasmussen (new ES), Charlene Clegg, Sherri Nelson (ES and Director), Julie Koester, Cher Silva (leader), Joy Woodman (secretary).

1. Introduced ourselves

2. Instructed how to retrieve links from CWCS website.

Description of Focus Tasks

1. Analysis of student data and achievement

A. Read WASC Focus on Learning School wide Criteria

What do we do with # 4 (from point of view of Curriculum and Instruction) when it is not met? Concerned about the low students. Suggestion: Give parents a list of the questioning types to work on. Incorporate more parent workshops to help parents to go beyond the basics.

B .ESLR's read, notes made about the two below:

#1

#2

#3 See how these fit in our growth areas in Learning Records. New to growth area under Life Skills: Gather, analyze and apply info to real life situations. People wanted more in the area of computers so technological equipment was added. Could we cut some P.E. listings and add more of other areas to the Growth Areas we check when doing Learning Records?.

#4

#5

#6

#7 We see that the art, trades, professions have been added. We need to develop more resources that the classroom schools already have. Like ROP? What can we do for the individual? Like Beauty college? I had a student who took a nursing class through ROP. Do we want someone to explore this? Charlene encourages her students to work or take college classes. There are some classes that we just cannot have. We need a lot of parent participation. Are you talking service clubs, Toastmasters? There are architects that students that can work at part time. Like internships. It's on a individual basis. Students should have a good vocational foundation, especially if they are not high academically. They need to be exploring. Would high school students (especially Freshmen) take an inventory of some kind? Guidance counselor offer it? Local would be better so they could coordinate with local vendors. A local guidance person. We have to remember ALL students in CWCS. Have traveling van that could bring resources to all the areas that we serve. Contact the Waterford counselor to get the military inventory. If a student takes a military inventory, calls will be coming to her/her from the military. We are reminded to be careful with the military with the information that is given to students.

C. Report Card (SARC including CST and CAHSEE data)- where we are

1. What points we have to aim for or above to be rewarded (to stay open)

We are 623; on an interim basis, the state has set 800 as the API score that schools should strive to meet. 1,000 is perfect.

2.Determination of growth needs

3.Written document on finds

Review of CST and CAHSEE Data

Are we going to target the main goal or increments?

Moving the basic to proficient will better help the scores, than moving the below to basic. We should work to raise basic to proficient. Right now we are looking at what we are going to put our energy into.

CST - Met in groups

a. History and Social Science

Majority were in basic and below. WE HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT THE MEANING OF THE NUMBERS AND THE WAY THE INFORMATION IS PRESENTED IN THE REPORTS:

Confused with the numbers. We would like to know what the top scores should be; how many questions involved per tested area.

Solution: Perhaps we should have everyone put OTHER in Ethnicity area. No other suggestions for now.

2- Language Arts

Don't understand the percentage correct which correlates to basics or proficient ? We need to have 75% as we understand. Is this a general score? Total score or includes sub areas?

We really weren't sure what we could do. It would be helpful to know what curriculum correlates with the standards. Then we have to be careful not to box ourselves in with the standards. We will be just like other charter schools. Should be have study group for this? Es training, parent training. Every publisher is to have their curriculum aligned with the standards. Edusoft is a good tool for parents, but the books aren't matching the state testing. Parents should not have to drop what they are doing, but have supplemental materials available.

3- Math

Large percentage are below basics. Perhaps interview/do study on those who are in proficient advanced and find out what did the parents do to get the students up to advanced.

It appears that homeschoolers tend to be lower in Math.

Math and English ideas will be our focus.

Look at our test scores. Was there anything that we are good in? ES's should use Rubrics for Writing. Write Guide curriculum is online and the writing is scored by teachers. Institute for Excellence in Writing is another vendor for a good writing curriculum. Uses DVD's lessons.

4. CAHSEE

We need parent training and ES help with curriculum that matches what is on the test.

Consider getting in touch with our graduates and learn what jobs/advanced education they are pursuing.

 
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