EDCT 6304 Campus Improvement Plan Artifact by Jacob Hand

What is Title I and why/when did it originate?

jhand21 — 2019-10-28 16:42:25 UTC

Title I was introduced in the 2001 No Child Left Behind Act. According to EdWeek, Part A is the most well known section of the act. It is "targeted to high-poverty schools and districts and used to provide educational services to students who are educationally disadvantaged or at risk of failing to meet state standards" (Education Week, 2004). The federal funds are used to help districts focus on needs of special populations, assist in providing supplemental education, and improving student academic achievements.

What components in the Texas Education Code and/or Texas Administrative Code drive a CIP/CNA?

jhand21 — 2019-10-29 14:48:48 UTC

Sec. 11.252.  DISTRICT-LEVEL PLANNING AND DECISION-MAKING.

This section of the Education Code lays out the guidelines for a CNA.

Your campus vision and mission statement

jhand21 — 2019-10-29 16:10:27 UTC

We are in the second year of implementing what we are calling #EEE (EagleExcellenceEveryday). This is a district-wide vision that initiated a high expectation for modeling excellent character for our students.

How do you create a CIP/CNA, and who should be a part of the decision making team?

jhand21 — 2019-10-29 16:23:07 UTC

An assessment of what needs improvement for the district or campus should be done. This could include interviews with teachers, students, and stakeholders. Allow opinions to be heard and come up with a unified plan based off of best practice methodology. Stakeholders should be informed on CNA so individuals of the community are aware of the intentions. Teacher input is important because it will be up to them to implement the vision. A discussion with students should be had so they are aware of the expectations. Having said that, selecting a leadership team to help monitor and analyze would be beneficial. This would consist of individuals who have leadership qualities and are able to commit to the extra time/effort needed to fulfill the position. Administrators have a huge role to play in selecting these candidates.

Identification of the goals listed in your CIP. Are they listed as SMART goals?

jhand21 — 2019-10-29 16:40:29 UTC

A specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) goal we have come up with is improving rigor at our campus. Implementing differentiation, while facilitating collaboration between general education teachers and special populations teachers has served the campus well. All of the aspects roll into improving scores on state assessments.

Significant elements of the parent policy section of your CIP.

jhand21 — 2019-10-30 16:09:11 UTC

Here is a link to the 2018-2019 CIP:
https://www.junctionisd.net/cms/lib3/TX01001884/Centricity/Domain/182/Junction%20High%20School%20Campus%20Improvement%20Plan%202018-2019PDF.pdf

Parent Involvement in aspects of school besides sports is highly encouraged. In a community effort to boost parent involvement and perception of the school, an opportunity was established for parents to attend what is called, "Parent-University". This program helps give parents confidence, tools, and skills to raise responsible kids.

From a holistic standpoint, do all of the components of the CIP work together and support the goals listed, and the overall vision of the campus? Is there something missing?

jhand21 — 2019-10-30 18:18:12 UTC

Yes, the CIP supports the goals and vision. One thing to note, which was brought to my attention by my current administrator is that in a small school district, staff members wear many hats. To accomplish tasks can be difficult to due a lack of resources. Our administrator does an excellent job of making sure we have the tools we need in the classroom, but when faculty members, including the administrator, are spread thin by juggling multiple duties from a lack of personnel, achieving a goal becomes more difficult.

Does the funding included in the CIP support the goals listed in the CIP?

jhand21 — 2019-10-30 18:40:23 UTC

Yes, we have been able to add more resources to help our special populations teachers in the last several years to close gaps and provide a better education for those students.

What initiatives do you currently have on your campus that align to the CIP?

jhand21 — 2019-10-30 19:48:18 UTC

There are PLC's hosted bi-weekly to discuss what is going on in the classroom and determine ways to improve or extend what is happening. Also, frequent walk-throughs are happening. Consistent communication via email, shared calendar that can be updated by all, and a weekly "JHS Happenings" agenda that consists of events for the week, and who will be out. Also, a spreadsheet has been created for students who have tutorials based on assessments and is shared so it is continuously changing as needed.

What is the difference between a campus needs assessment and a campus improvement plan?

jhand21 — 2019-10-30 19:49:21 UTC

A campus needs assessment is exactly that; an assessment of what needs improvement. This is based on student academic achievements in relation to state academic assessments, particularly of students who are failing, or at-risk of failing. Whereas a campus improvement plan consists of implementation and monitoring of progress towards that improvement or needs.

What is the definition of the term "supplement, not supplant?

jhand21 — 2019-10-30 20:12:50 UTC

This is an assurance that school districts who qualify use the funds to supplement local and state funds that are already allocated in the school budget. Use of federal funding to replace previously allocated local and state money is prohibited.

What is the Effective Schools Framework and why is it significant? Please provide a list and brief definition of the five levers.

jhand21 — 2019-10-30 20:24:42 UTC

It is a guide for districts and schools across the state that provides a clear vision of what schools are doing in order to ensure excellent education for all students. ESF is important because it is the foundation for improvements that aligns resources and supports for the needs of individual schools.
The 5 levers are as follows:
1.Strong Leadership and Planning - This involves the development of clear roles and responsibilities of leaders for districts and campuses.
2. Effective, Well-Supported Teachers - This lever includes recruiting, attaining, and sustaining highly qualified individuals by implementing actions that help support and retain them.
3. Positive School Culture - By including school faculty, parents, community members, and stakeholders, schools will cast an aligned vision that harbors high expectations, values, and behaviors which compels a safe, positive atmosphere.
4. High-Quality Curriculum - Lever 4 discusses properly aligning curricula with TEKS throughout the year and ensuring assessments meet standards to help prepare students for state testing.
5. Effective Instruction - In lever 5, making sure needs of all students is covered. Daily lesson plans, data-driven instruction and differentiation are all included in making sure every student is receiving the correct rigor.

What lever(s) would the Campus Improvement Plan satisfy in regards to the Effective Schools Framework?

jhand21 — 2019-10-31 16:27:25 UTC

If it is done correctly, the CIP should touch on all the levers for ESF. For instance, holding a high standard for students' academic achievements requires administrators or leaders to hold teachers, parents, and stakeholders accountable as well. In doing so, resources have to be provided to be successful. The connection between leaders of the school, members of the community, and parents will allow for a more unified vision or alignment of goals. Having a positive atmosphere will help ensure this happens. A successful program with a positive atmosphere will help retain highly qualified teachers. All things considered are dependent on consistency.

References:

jhand21 — 2019-11-01 14:34:14 UTC

Education Code. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/ED/htm/ED.11.htm.

Texas Education Agency (Ed.). (2018, December 17). Supplement, not supplant handbook. Retrieved from https://blackboard.angelo.edu/bbcswebdav/pid-2251931-dt-content-rid-19189053_2/courses/13073.202010/13073.202010_ImportedContent_20191008084901/SNS Handbook_3.1--revised 12-2018.pdf.

Texas Education Agency. (n.d.). Prioritized Lever 5. Retrieved from https://texasesf.org/framework/prioritized-lever-5/.