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Arthur L. Davila Middle School (DMS) in Bryan, Texas

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Arthur L. Davila Middle School (DMS) in Bryan, Texas

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Analysis and commentary of the current Campus Improvement Plan (CIP) and Campus Needs Assessment (CNA)

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The current campus goals of DMS, as published in the most recent version of the DMS CIP, follow the SMART goal framework but could be improved with an increased level of specificity. Each goal is specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and (mostly) time-based but the goal itself does not give a specific measure of success. However, these goals do not stand alone; rather, they are supported with further documentation in the CIP.

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Arthur L. Davila Middle School. (2020). Davila Middle School 2020-2021 Campus Improvement Plan. https://4.files.edl.io/4f17/09/14/20/184913-76f181c3-a10f-4e14-b7a8-b1bb6b179a05.pdf

T.Knight, ESC 15 Presentation, October 13, 2020

U.S. Department of Education (2018, October 24). Improving Basic Programs Operated by Local Educational Agencies (Title I, Part A). https://www2.ed.gov/programs/titleiparta/index.html.

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The goals included within DMS address the following ESF levers:

Positive School Culture

High-Quality Instruction

Effective Instruction

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The ESF was developed by the Texas Education Agency with the goal of providing a clear vision of what can/should be done to provide all Texan students with an excellent education. Within this framework, there are 5 "levers" that Texas schools should implement in order to achieve their goals. These levers, along with a brief description of each, are as follows:

Strong School Leadership and Planning: Campus leaders should be effective with clearly defined roles in order to implement and monitor campus plans and initiatives

Effective, Well-Supported Teachers: Well-qualified teachers should be hired, developed, and retained

Positive School Culture: An environment is created where families, communities, and students can share positive experiences

High-Quality Curriculum: Campus curriculum is aligned to standards and delivered with an appropriate scope and sequencce

Effective Instruction: Students are provided with rigorous first-time instruction and given the needed interventions to be successful

https://texasesf.org/framework/

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SNS is a provision common among federal grant programs. The purpose of this provision is to ensure a consistent stream of funding for the addressed programs. Rather than allowing federal funds to "supplant" or replace currently existing state/local funds, federal funds can only be used to "supplement" or add to the current state/local funding.
(T.Knight, ESC 15 Presentation, October 13, 2020)

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Both CNAs and CIPs are backed by a wealth of data and research and both have their roots planted firmly in state and federal laws, policies, and statutes. However, a CNA must come before a CIP. This reflects a reality of all plans: one's needs and goals must be known before a plan can be put in place to achieve them.

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"Texan Success" targeted intervention classes

Lesson Design Institutes (professional development) for teachers

"Texans Read" and the "Reading Millionaire Club"

Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports

Multiple Parent and Community Events: Fall Family Festival, Family Coding Nights, Texan Round Up, Family Game Nights, Spring Family Night, and College Career Fair

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While there is funding provided for the stated goals, there are some outstanding exceptions in the CIP. Most notably, professional development (PD) for campus staff and faculty is called for in multiple sections but no funding is allocated (in the CIP) in order to provide these PD experiences.

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Overall, the framework of DMS' Campus Improvement Plan (CIP) appears solid. The stated goals each address a significant area of need and growth for the campus but they could be refined to more closely match the SMART goal format. Importantly, each goal also aligns with the campus and district's vision, mission, and goals. What the CIP lacks is a layer of "polish"; it is messy at times and is riddled with typos and incomplete sections. For example, although many of the proposed actions and strategies found in the CIP align well with the Effective Schools Framework levers, none of them are actually referenced in the CIP although there is a specific area for this to be done for each strategy. The same is also true for campus problem statements and TEA priorities. I do think it is important to note that the overall template that was used to publish our CIP has changed since the last time it was published. It is unknown whether much of this was lost in the transition to this new template or if it was intentionally left out. Whatever the case, these things keep our CIP from being as effective as possible which is a disservice to our campus staff, faculty, students, and community.

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Parent policy that is specific to Davila includes:

Providing communication in the parent's home language (not always English)

All parents are automatically included as members of the campus PTO (no registration fee charged)

Parents are provided with copies of "The Middle Years" in the form of a newsletter. This newsletter provides information on the academic and emotional growth their students are experiencing in the middle grades.

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1. To support every scholar by addressing quality first-time instruction in all core academic areas (paying specific attention to the needs of at-risk students in the areas of reading and math).

2. To build the climate and culture of the campus by reducing discipline referrals and improve academics so that each scholar reaches his or her potential by "owning their learning and behavior" as measured by a reduction in discipline referrals and improved attendance rate.

3. To build a climate and culture for faculty and staff by showing an increase in faculty retention by July 1, 2021.

4. Be proactive to improve communication and the perception of Davila Middle School by engaging the scholars, families, community, and employees as measured by increase involvement by 5% at events and activities for the school year.

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Key Stakeholders to include when creating and evaluating a CIP and/or CNA:

District Leaders

Campus Leaders (administrators, teachers, and other staff)

Parents and Students

Community Members

The CNA and CIP are created by a team, composed of the above key stakeholders, who are charged with gathering all relevant data, performing a root cause analysis of problems identified through the analysis of that data, and developing the necessary plan and steps to address these problems.

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Campus Vision

Children First. Always.

Campus Mission Statement

Schools in Bryan ISD, through innovation and choice in educational offerings, will provide positive experiences that ensure high school graduation and post-secondary success.

Arthur L. Davila Middle School. (2020)

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"Title I" refers to a title in the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965. "The purpose of this title is to ensure that all children have a fair, equal, and significant opportunity to obtain a high-quality education". This legislation was part of the Nixon Administration's larger "War on Poverty".

U.S. Department of Education (2018, October 24)

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Texas Education Code and Texas Administrative Code Requirements

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Texas Education Code and Texas Administrative Code Requirements

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Texas Education Code

Denotes what provisions a district/campus improvement plan must include and account for

Regulates how often a CIP must be reviewed and renewed/adjusted

https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/ED/htm/ED.11.htm
Subchapter F, Sec. 11.251