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August 2012 www.duvalschools.org/schoolimprovement

Featured Article: “Bird by Bird” - A Success Story

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IN THIS ISSUE BIRD BY BIRD Page 2

AMO UPDATE Page 4

MID-YEAR STAKEHOLDERS MEETING

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TITLE I: A NEW LEARNING RESOURCE

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PARENT FOCUS: SAC – AAC - DAC

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READ ANY GOOD BOOKS LATELY?

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SERVICE REQUESTS Page 10

DUE DATES Page 10

YOUR SUPPORT TEAM Page 11

SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT

December 2012 www.duvalschools.org/schoolimprovement

MONTHLY

NEWSLETTER

AND BEST

PRACTICES

DCPS OFFICE OF SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT (904) 924-3722

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Principal Debbie Crotty is the leader, guide,

shepherd, escort and conductor, all in one person,

at Rutledge Pearson Elementary School. Ms. Crotty

has a rapport with and respect for everyone at

Pearson whether it be teacher, other staff member,

cafeteria worker, custodial staff and, of course, the

students. She has helped her faculty and staff

develop successful learning strategies to use with

their students.

Ms. Crotty has been principal at Rutledge Pearson

since the ’05-’06 school year. In the years since

then, many changes have come about, from the

trees, fences, and pleasant atmosphere of the

physical campus to the additional programs and

help that are offered to students. Teachers have

volunteered their time before and after school and

during Saturday school because they believed their

students would succeed if they believed they could.

Now there is Team Up, an afterschool program that

continues academic work with students.

Systemic change requires a comprehensive plan

that always keeps the end product at its center. It

must be a step-by-step plan that allows students to

sometimes fall short of required targets and learn

from their mistakes. The plan must have someone

to serve as a guide to nurture all participants,

students and staff, in the plan as well as nurturing

the plan itself. Bringing the plan to fruition takes

time and, success doesn’t come easily. Ms. Crotty

realizes this and continues to work at developing

and changing the plan if needed.

Teaching and learning at Pearson involves the whole

child. Each child has a prescriptive plan based on a

5-legged model addressing attitude, perception,

knowledge, experiences and metacognitive skills.

Children are strategically placed to best meet their

individual needs. The young learners build on prior

knowledge and understanding to construct new

knowledge and understanding through experiences.

Teachers and staff allow students to demonstrate

creativity and appreciate their diversity. Each

student’s potential is recognized.

Principal Focus: “Bird by Bird” - A Success Story By Pat Carley, School Improvement Coordinator

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Once children take ownership of their own learning

process and make an internal decision to master a

skill, they no longer shy away from academic

challenges. If the students are provided with

fascinating challenges and are given the freedom to

make mistakes without judgment, they will achieve

their targets. They will mess up frequently but by

making all those mistakes and immediately

correcting them, the information more readily

becomes theirs. Every challenge is taken step-by-

step and student-by-student.

In the first year Ms. Crotty was the principal of

Rutledge Pearson, the school earned a state grade of

“D”, followed by an “F” the next year. The years that

followed showed the rewards gained by using

personal prescriptions and meeting each child

one-on-one and taking their learning step by step.

Following the “F”, the school grade climbed to a “B”

and has been a solid “A” for the past four years.

Ms. Crotty’s approach to learning is “bird by bird”

and one step at a time. She and her faculty believe -

“They can because they think they can.” Virgil,

Roman epic poet (70 BC-19 BC)

Ann Lamott, an American novelist and non-fiction

writer tells this story: "Thirty years ago my older

brother, who was ten years old at the time, was

trying to get a report on birds written that he'd had

three months to write. It was due the next day. We

were out at our family cabin in Bolinas, and he was

at the kitchen table close to tears, surrounded by

binder paper and pencils and unopened books on

birds, immobilized by the hugeness of the task

ahead. Then my father sat down beside him, put his

arm around my brother's shoulder, and said, 'Bird by

bird, buddy. Just take it bird by bird.'"

Teach them well and let them lead.

Principal Focus: “Bird by Bird”- A Success Story By Pat Carley, School Improvement Coordinator

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Annual Measurable Objectives (AMO) Update Niki Micheau, School Improvement Supervisor

Florida’s waiver from reporting

Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP)

under the Elementary and

Secondary Education Act (ESEA)

requires the state to report

performance on Annual Measurable

Objectives (AMOs).

District AMOs include school

grade; reading and math

performance; and the performance

of students scoring in the bottom

quartile. AMOs are determined

separately for each school and

subgroup. The AMO shows

whether a school or subgroup is on

track to reduce its percentage of

non-proficient students by half by

the 2016-17 school year. The

ultimate goal is for all students to

demonstrate proficiency.

Subgroups include All Students,

American Indian, Asian, African

American, White, Hispanic,

Economically Disadvantaged,

English Language Learners and

Students with Disabilities. Students

may fall into multiple subgroups. If a

school has at least 10 students in any

subgroup, performance is reported for

that subgroup.

In October, the Office of School

Improvement facilitated an AMO

professional development session for

principals. Principals received support

to update their School Improvement

Plans (SIPs) to include AMO goals and

strategies to increase proficiency. SIPs

must include goals and strategies for

all subgroups that did not meet AMO

goals.

The AMO session was recorded and is

available online in addition the

PowerPoint used, Technical Assistance

Paper (TAP) and DCPS AMO Data.

The link to access the online webinar is

http://www.duvalschools.org/static/ab

outdcps/departments/acadprog/schoo

limprovement/pd.asp

If you have any questions about the

transition from AYP to AMO, please

contact the Office of School

Improvement at (904)924-3722 or visit

our website.

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Community Focus: Midyear Stakeholders Meeting Niki Micheau, School Improvement Supervisor

Meaningful stakeholder input is vital to the school district actualizing its Core Beliefs and Commitments

and creating a shared vision with the community to support student achievement. In September 2009,

the Duval County School Board approved the requirement of a Mid-Year Stakeholders Assessment

Community Meeting at each school site. Each School Advisory Council (SAC), in cooperation with various

identified community stakeholders that work with the school, is to conduct an annual midyear

stakeholders' assessment community meeting and file a written report outlining stakeholder

recommendations generated from the meeting. The meeting is held in conjunction with a regularly

scheduled monthly School Advisory Council meeting.

Duval County Public Schools are asked to conduct the stakeholder meeting in January and use

information gathered to support strategies that are submitted to the state in a Mid-Year Narrative

report that is submitted in February (www.flbsi.org). The mid-year stakeholders' assessment

community meeting will receive stakeholder input on the specific school site information regarding the

leadership and management characteristics that will support the academic success of the students in the

school. The identified community stakeholders to be invited must include representatives from each of

the following groups: each member of the School Advisory Council, PTA/PTSA president or designee, DTU

representative, shared decision making representative, school based boosters, alumni organizations,

business partners, faith based partners, nonprofit representatives that partner with the school,

philanthropic donors that support the school, parents and the NAACP education committee chair or

designee. Thirty days notice must be provided to the identified community stakeholders that are

requested to attend. A written report outlining the recommendations of the stakeholder assessment

will be forwarded to the Superintendent and copies will be provided to the Duval County School Board.

Individual school dates for Mid-Year Stakeholder Assessment meetings and meeting templates are

located on the DCPS School Improvement website at www.duvalschools.org/schoolimprovement.

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Learning is a journey and many students struggle

from time to time. This year the district has provided

a new resource for Title I schools to assist in this

journey. Reading and mathematics intervention

teachers have been engaged to provide extra targeted

assistance for students.

Students who are at-risk of not meeting grade-level

reading or mathematics proficiency are identified by

analyzing data derived from a variety of student

assessments in mathematics and reading (e.g.,

state/district formative and summative assessments).

Once students are identified, the intervention

teachers coordinate with school principals to

develop a schedule to give targeted assistance to

these students.

The intervention teachers provide intensive

instruction in mathematics or reading to at-risk

students in a one-on-one or small group setting.

These teachers may push in or pull out small groups of

struggling students for intervention using appropriate,

targeted research-based strategies and materials. The

work of the intervention teacher is part of a school’s

Response to Intervention/Multi-Tiered System of

Support.

The intervention teachers work closely with

classroom teachers at the school to coordinate

intervention to align with and support core

instruction. They conduct progress monitoring after a

series of intervention sessions to ensure that the

intervention is meeting the student’s needs. If not, a

problem solving cycle begins to revisit ways to make

the intervention more effective.

The intervention teachers have been participating in

special district trainings provided by specialists and

other support staff since the beginning of the school

year. In addition, the teachers submit weekly logs to

the Title I office to document their work with

students. For more information, contact Dr. Gayle

Cane, RtI Coordinator at 904-390-2661 or

caneg@duvalschools.org.

Title I Schools: A New Learning Resource

By Teresa Logan, School Improvement Specialist

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Hearing someone say SAC, AAC or DAC would remind

some parents of the alphabet soup of acronyms used

in education. This article will explain the three terms

and let parents know how they can get involved.

SAC is an acronym for School Advisory Council. Two

big bucket items the SAC is responsible for are (1)

helping to develop and evaluate the school

improvement plan (SIP) and (2) assisting in the

preparation of the annual school budget. When

implemented correctly, the SAC holds the school

accountable for what is outlined in the school

improvement plan. It’s an important layer of

accountability which provides an assessment

perspective from the dinner table to the classroom.

Sometimes SAC is confused with the role of the Parent

Teacher Association (PTA). The mission of PTA is to

be a voice for children; serve as a family and

community resource; and to advocate for education.

The targeted focus of SAC is to support SIP

implementation by connecting parents and

community members. Plus, SAC is required by

Florida law. Meetings are open to the public and

officers are elected.

Each school belongs to an Area Advisory Council

(AAC). Representatives on the AAC are the principal

and the SAC chair or a designee. The purpose of AAC

is to facilitate communication among schools within

their elementary to secondary feeder pattern. The

AAC meets quarterly. An example meeting topic

could include implementing feeder pattern strategies

to support and ensure continuity. The principal of the

high school in the SAC feeder pattern is responsible

for assuring that AAC meetings are held.

The District Advisory Council (DAC) is comprised of the

chairperson from each AAC or a designee and the

superintendent. The purpose of DAC is to enhance

communication between the superintendent, district

staff, community and local schools. Similar to the

SAC and AAC, the DAC has elected officers and public

meetings. Information and critical issues should flow

from the SAC to the AAC to the DAC. Each month, the

DAC chair provides a report to the School Board

during the School Board meeting.

So parents – get involved! Principals and teachers –

engage parents more! Dedicated participation is

needed on the SAC to support the overall process of

improvement at the school, area and district level.

Finally, to help with the alphabet soup of acronyms,

the district has an “acronym” website.

http://www.duvalschools.org/static/parents/getinvol

ved/acronyms.asp.

Parent Focus: SAC – AAC – DAC (Acronym Attack)

Niki Micheau, School Improvement Supervisor

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The Office of School Improvement will facilitate an online interactive book study. The district e-bookshelf offers instant access to educational resources, premium self-paced study outlines, and current best practice guides. Participants can look forward to stimulating dialogue in an open forum as we feature various academic topics. The book study is designed to promote conversations among teachers, staff, and school leaders.

The first e-read, Create Success! Unlocking the Potential of Urban Students, by author Dr. Kadhir Rajagopal, provides an outline to teaching urban students, placing an emphasis on the active participation of teachers, parents, caregivers and coaches in each student’s success.

The author highlights culturally responsive instruction, rigorous expectations and rewards, essentials-focused planning, assessing for mastery, test models, and strategies for struggling students. Readers are given insight into the achievement goals realized by a determined Algebra teacher in an urban school setting.

An educator’s time is valuable, so plan to share your comments and post questions at your own pace. Additionally your suggestions will determine future topics.

A link to the districts’ ASCD e-bookshelf is located in OnCourse. We invite you to browse the online materials before we begin our initial session.

The Office of School Improvement will facilitate the book study. The start date is January 15th and the session will conclude in March. The format will include online webinars with engaging discussion and interaction coupled with independent reading.

Click here to register for the online eBook study. 10 professional development points will be given upon completion.

Dr. Rajagopal will join us for a session during our eBook Study!

Read Any Great Books Lately? By Vontrena Myers, School Improvement Specialist

“Truly effective teachers must be able to push disengaged or defiant students beyond their perceived limitations and fight until they realize success. They recognize that they must reach and influence their students’ hearts before their heads.” Dr. Rajagopal

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Read Any Great Books Lately? By Vontrena Myers, School Improvement Specialist

ALL

OF

THES

E B

OO

KS

AN

D M

OR

E FO

R Y

OU

FO

R F

REE

!!!

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Customer Service – Helping You Meet Your Goals

The Office of School Improvement is dedicated to providing you with excellent customer service. Our goal is to make sure you have the timely support needed to meet each of your goals. Our website is www.duvalschools.org/schoolimprovement. If you need a school improvement expert, there is a contact request form on the website. Click here to access the form. Anyone in the district can request school improvement services by using the online form or by calling (904)924-3722.

OSI Service categories:

DA - Differentiated Accountability requirements

Data Analysis - data analysis support

FCIM - support and training

FLDOE - Support with state compliance

Monitoring Plans and Processes

Professional Development - Face to face or

online professional learning opportunities

SAC - School Advisory Council support

SIG - School Improvement Grant support

SIP Implementation - School Improvement Plan

development, implementation and monitoring

Title I Support Services - Support and enhanced

Professional Development

Turnaround - Funding and volunteer assistance

Other - Support needed in other areas of school

improvement

DUE DATES

Past Due Revised SIPs with updated AMO data

(should be uploaded on the state site www.flbsi.org)

December 1, 2012 Differentiated Accountability Checklists updated

(applies to C, D, and F schools only)

December 3, 2012 Mid-Year Stakeholders Meeting date submitted to

schoolimprovement@duvalschools.org

January 2013 Conduct Mid-Year Stakeholders Meeting

(templates on the School Improvement website)

January 31, 2013 SIP Mid-Year Update following Mid-Year

Instructional Review (targeted schools only)

February 8, 2013 School Mid-Year Narrative Report

(all schools excluding those that met ALL AMO goals)

10th of Each Month SAC minutes for the previous month should be emailed to

schoolimprovement@duvalschools.org

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Office of School Improvement Team

Niki Micheau

Supervisor

(904) 924-3722 ext 262

MicheauN@duvalschools.org

Lillie B. Granger, Ph.D. Executive Director

(904) 924-3728

GrangerL@duvalschools.org

Pat Carley

Coordinator

(904) 924-3722 ext 264

CarleyP@duvalschools.org

Raymond Carver, Ed.D.

Specialist, Data Analyst

(904) 924-3722 ext 251

CarverR@duvalschools.org

Patricia Conner

Specialist, Data Analyst

(904) 924-3722 ext 255

ConnerP@duvalschools.org

Teresa Logan

Specialist, Restructuring

(904) 924-3722 ext 246

LoganT@duvalschools.org

Vontrena Myers Specialist, Reporting

(904) 924-3722 ext 191

MyersV@duvalschools.org

Darren Smith

Specialist, Data Analyst

(904) 924-3722 ext 253

SmithD10@duvalschools.org

Carla Taylor

Specialist, Reporting

(904) 924-3722 ext 258 TaylorC3@duvalschools.org

Cheryl Taylor

Specialist, Data Analyst

(904) 924-3722 ext 254

TaylorC@duvalschools.org

Nikesha White

Specialist, Reporting

(904) 924-3722 ext 250

fishern@duvalschools.org

SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT OFFICE

School Improvement Suite

Northwestern Middle School

School Mail: 3155A – OSI

2100 West 45th Street

Jacksonville, Florida 32209

Office: (904)924-3722

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!

We are looking for best practices to

share in our newsletter. If you have a

story to share about your school or

classroom, please email us at

schoolimprovement@duvalschools.org