School Plan Review Draft 3 - 5/21/01


REACH

 

  1. Role of the Community: in supporting grade level or better literacy.
    1. District Standards Implementation: Each teacher is responsible to know the District Content Standards and work to use classroom instruction to help students master those standards.
    2. Each teacher will incorporate the Powerful Learning Strategies (formerly referred to as T7 Table 5 strategies) as outlined in our CSRD grant. These strategies will be employed consistently and impact each child's learning on a daily basis. The objective is to improve student achievement as measured by a variety of assessment instruments in both English and Spanish, but especially with special emphasis given to improving the STAR/SAT9 & SABE results., upon which the continuance of our charter depends.
    3. Language Development: The teaching of language development in both English and Spanish will be refined by each grade level.
      1. Strategies that utilize a strict and disciplined use of language models will be implemented in grades K-6.
      2. In grades K-2 teachers will team at their grade level to switch all of their students during ELD time.
      3. Every student will have 2 teachers, one of whom is their English Language model and another who is their Spanish Language model. It is noted that this action plan item remains unresolved at the 3rd grade.
      4. Spanish English Language Allocation will follow the 90/10 Model: Kinder @ 10% (20 minutes), First @ 20% (61 minutes), Second @ 30% (91 minutes), Third @ 40% (121 minutes) and Fourth through Sixth at 50% (163 minutes).
    4. The Accelerated Schools Program with its Inquiry Model and Powerful Learning strategies will be our primary resource in meeting our Comprehensive School Reform and Immediate Intervention / Underperforming Schools Program in meeting student achievement goals in literacy development and English Acquisition.
      1. Contract Enid Lee to serve as our External Accelerated Schools Facilitator to investigate ways to improve the achievement of every student in the area of biliteracy.
    5. Library:
      1. Employ a minimum .750 FTE Library Technician. Investigate the possibility of increasing this position to 1.0 FTE.
      2. Reading Is Fundamental (RIF) is an important program for Alianza students. While categorical funds may not be used, the school will search for other sources of funding to support this program.
      3. Student access to library books will increase through the computerization of the library checkout system. This requires an annual subscription, hardware acquisition and maintenance, software acquisition and upgrade, access to technical assistance, etc.
      4. Student access to library books will increase through the purchase of reading books for both the library and the classrooms. Reading books for both the classroom and the library will be purchased to extend and enhance the school's collection using categorical funds and funds specifically allocated for libraries.
      5. The librarian will organize an annual Community Reader Event with school staff.
      6. Every Encourage teachers will provide a class set of student authored books to be displayed at the annual SCCo. Book Fair.
      7. The Accelerated Reader program will be implemented in Spanish and English.
        1. Required materials and tests will be purchased.
        2. Technical assistance by consultants will be acquired if necessary to facilitate implementation.
    6. Establish criteria for students entering and continuing in the 2 Way Bilingual Immersion Program after K-1.
      1. Every family will have the opportunity to choose between the Alianza Two Way Dual Immersion Program (as space for language models permits) or the new Radcliff School Program an Alianza Alternative which will include EO, SEI and Bilingual components.
      2. Students who wish to enter the program after 1st grade will need to prove proficiency for reading, writing and math according to set criteria.
      3. Communication with Alianza families about student progress must be ongoing to assure that grade level proficiency and achievement goals are met by the end of 5th or 6th grade.
      4. All families new to Alianza must attend a mandatory parent orientation meeting that includes an overview of the program, strategies, rationale, second language learning theory, etc.
    7. Acquire the following appropriate materials and technology that will support student learning and the implementation of the 2 Way Bilingual Immersion Program in English and Spanish:
      1. Classroom reading books
      2. Library books
      3. Leveled reading books
      4. Technology hardware and software
    8. Provide resources and tools necessary for the duplication and/or creation of instructional materials so that instruction can be focused most effectively on student learning needs.
      1. Renew Equipment Maintenance Agreements for all copiers and other equipment used to duplicate or create instructional materials.
    9. Celebrate our Accomplishments:
      1. Present a Positive Program report to the School Board regarding the Two Way Bilingual Immersion Program in October.
      2. Students who achieve 3rd Grade and 5th Grade grade level program benchmarks will be recognized with appropriate certificates and premiums prizes (eg:: buttons, medallions, ribbons).
    10. Encourage Provide funding to facilitate the participation of non-classroom classified staff’s attendance at workshops that enhance their ability to impact student achievement.

REACH

  1. Effective Core Literacy Program: Literacy must permeate the instructional day and be applied in all content areas. Substantial time must be devoted to reading and writing. Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening must be integrated in meaningful contexts. Assessments - Qualitative and Quantitative - must be in place.
    1. Math Cadre Action Plan: A set of Alianza Essential Standards will be derived from the California Math Standards that will define the minimum criteria that must be mastered before promotion to this next grade level as part of promotion criteria.
    2. Math Cadre Action Plan: Organize a process to define the new Alianza school-wide math program that will have as its central activity the selection of a new math curriculum and text.
    3. Math Program: Provide funds to purchase supplemental materials in English and/or Spanish such as Excel math sheets for the 2001/2 school year.
    4. Upper Grade Program Proposal:
      1. Group students heterogeneously for both Spanish and English between a pair of teachers for better coordination, parent communication and community building.
      2. Establish 2 4/5 classes as Alianza Alternative classes for students who are at risk of not meeting achievement goals by the end of 5th/6th grade.
      3. Each semester have a collaboration Friday dedicated to reps from each grade level meeting together on a specific focus.
      4. Once a quarter have a Tuesday afternoon dedicated to dialogue with 2 grade level spans (K-2) (3-6) about writing or reading or HW or math....
      5. Use a staff meeting each quarter for similar cross grade level articulation
      6. Have a staff orientation at beginning of the year for all new staff about the program.
      7. Work out schedules for support staff so that special programs, support services and activities are equal between AM and PM.
        1. GATE and BAND are both in the PM. Provide these as after school programs next year on restructured Tuesdays?
      8. Continue 4/5 combination program at least through next year. Looping straight 4, then straight 5 will be considered after evaluating the benefits of the 4/5 program.
        1. 4/5 combinations will allow more flexibility for placements and even numbers in classes. If we get a more stable population and numbers in the next 2-3 years we can better consider straight 4ths and 5ths.
      9. Organize super community activities every other Friday like olympics or picnics to develop community identity and camaraderie in the upper grades etc.
    5. Computerize, maintain and develop reports from authentic and other data using a database.
      1. Employ clerical staff and PT/OT to collect and enter data, process district paperwork, organize and schedule substitutes, prepare materials for parent communication and other clerical tasks that support the staff and the program to improve student achievement.
      2. Provide funds to buy necessary technology, hardware and software for this purpose.
    6. Alianza Assessment Program:
      1. Students will be assessed three times during the school year: In the fall by November, by the end of January and by the end of May. Required assessments will include: STAR tests (SABE & SAT9), CELDT (Calif. English Language Development Test) Alianza Reading Benchmarks, Writing Rubric, Bilingual Benchmark Performance Indicators . The results of these assessments will be used as a to guide for teachers in providing literacy instruction to students at their zone of proximal development and improve achievement in both English and Spanish.
        1. Release time and/or supplemental pay will be provided to support teachers in meeting these assessment deadlines.
      2. Purchase Test Prep booklets to prepare students to take the annual standardized tests in both English and Spanish. Build test format into our curriculum. Purchase current materials corresponding to adopted state mandated tests and have available at the beginning of the school year.
      3. PE Test Program
        1. Hire limited term teacher to oversee required PE testing.
    7. Principal's Program Adjustment Plan:
      1. Incoming Kinder: Set criteria that establish a 60% Spanish / 40% English (70% Spanish/30%English minimum level) language population. Any students who cannot be accommodated because available seats for their language group are filled will be placed in the Radcliff BL Alianza Alternative program. Priority will be given to siblings.
      2. Present Kinder, First and Second Grade students: No alteration to program.
      3. Student performance data of students presently in the Third, Fourth and Fifth grade indicates there is a group of students who we can conclude will not meet 5th grade achievement goals in our Alianza 2 Way program. These students would benefit from an alternative program that will:
        1. utilize part of the day to continue Spanish literacy development (eg:: 25%) or be SEI
        2. Utilize either a Structured English Immersion Program or a different Bilingual Waiver program as appropriate.
        3. provide more time on task in English
        4. utilize effective ELD instruction to accelerate English acquisition and progress toward mastery of 5th Grade Achievement Goals.
      4. All present 5th graders will have the option of staying at Alianza for 6th grade.
    8. Student Review Process - Provide Substitute Teachers
      1. A Student Review Team Process will be conducted at the beginning of the first semester and at the end of the 2nd semester to review and monitor student progress and 2nd language development.
    9. An Alianza representative will attend the monthly Consortium meetings.
    10. Evaluation & Program Development Administration - Provide Substitute Teachers to support this effort.
      1. Improve the quality of the instructional program by providing release time for teachers to meet with the principal regarding their instructional program.
      2. Release teachers to observe at their and other grade levels and establish coaching relationships with other teachers.
    11. Establish a positive learning environment.
      1. Continue the implementation of Peace Builders. Pay the annual PeaceBuilders subscription programs that teach students conflict resolution and peace building skills and that promote equity.
      2. Student Council representatives will serve as hall monitors and conflict resolvers. A consultant will be hired to train monitors.
      3. Alianza will establish a safe learning environment by providing gang prevention, conflict resolution and decision making training programs at K-6. 4th grade (eg:: Project Pride, Pajaritios), Alianza will establish a safe learning environment by providing and the DARE program at to 5th and 6th grade.
      4. Alianza will establish a safe learning environment by providing decision making training at 4th grade.(eg:: Project Pride, Pajaritios, DARE, etc.)
      5. Yard Supervision - Provide funding to support 4 yard supervisors for before school and at lunch time.
      6. Provide funding for a lunch time activity coordinator to organize games 2 or 3 5 days a week. This person will also help provide rainy day activities in the gym.
      7. Maintain a strong and enthusiastic sponsorship of the Children’s Day event. Provide support and resources as appropriate.
    12. Office projects and work that impact students’ education will be completed on schedule. Provide funds to pay staff to work extra hours to help with the opening and closing of school, timely delivery of stores and instructional materials orders, and other similar projects.
    13. Every Kinder through 6th grade teacher will have their students develop a math/science project (eg:: Habitat Display) in which students must demonstrate mastery of multiple skills at Open House in the spring.
    14. Alianza’s GATE program will be revised to be in alignment with new requirements from the state and district. Alianza will continue to develop a site-based GATE program. GATE funds will be used to pay a consultant/teacher, buy needed materials and program resources, and support the student identification process. The GATE program will encompass:
      1. Taller de Ciencia - 4th-6th GATE students will use the Kinder bus to attend workshops. These students will then go into classrooms, and along with the classroom teacher, will present these science lessons to the students.
      2. An art program presented by Rose Breed for 3rd Grade GATE students
    15. Maintain our membership in CANEC, the professional organization of charter schools. Pay the annual subscription to CANEC.
    16. Each quarter a Mini Retreat will be held with ASP staff and our External Coach Enid Lee. These retreats will focus on the implementation of the ASP program at Alianza and progress of the Alianza cadres in developing action plans that will contribute to the improvement of student achievement and the meeting the objectives of the CSRD plan.
      1. Accelerated Schools Program staff will be asked to join the Alianza on site:
        1. At each of 3 SBC days.
        2. At each of 4 mini retreats to be scheduled once every quarter.
        3. At a 1 day CDE review in May
    17. Base Program Staffing
      1. Use revenue funding for:
        1. 34 classroom teachers per district staffing
        2. 1 FTE Principal
        3. .5 FTE Asst. Principal
        4. 1 FTE Office Manager 1
        5. 1 FTE Office Assistant 2
      2. Use categorical funds to fund
        1. 1 FTE Testing Specialist - to manage assessment activities, maintain the BDI responsibilities of SASIxp, maintain and keep current the Alianza Database, manage the collection of instructional materials and textbooks among other duties.
        2. .875 FTE Office Assistant 2 - to coordinate substitutes, input data into SASIxp discipline file, other supplemental office duties related to grants and categorical programs.
    18. Every staff member is required to monitor Email and the school web page to be kept informed of school information. Funds and support will be deployed to keep the information network (LAN, computers, software, etc.) functioning.
      1. Hard copy of the weekly bulletin will be posted on the Staff Room Bulletin Board.

REACH

  1. Appropriate Safety Net Strategies: Identify students who are not meeting standards and establish intervention strategies to keep them from falling behind or to help them catch up.
    1. Charter / Choice Cadre Action Plan: Reduce class size in grades Fourth through Sixth by reducing Student:Teacher ratio to 25:1. This will require the hiring of 2 FTEs beyond the District calculated staffing. This will be funded either through funds made available through our new charter school block grant funding or through a grant.
      1. Reduce class size to 25
        1. Provide classrooms for the 2 extra classrooms, either buy leasing 2 portables or leasing 2 rooms at the church next door.
    2. Charter / Choice Cadre Action Plan: Examine our Charter School status to identify any and all resources and/or opportunities that will support the achievement of our learning goals. This activity will result in the 2001/2 Charter School Block Grant Budget.
    3. Si Puedo Program
      1. Judy Stobbe will be hired to oversee the Si Puedo program, facilitate grade level team meetings and attend district consortium meetings.
      2. Classroom Aides will use the Si Puedo Program with identified students in the area of Literacy development. Students identified as below grade level in Spanish will receive guided reading or reciprocal teaching instruction in small homogeneously leveled groups daily using the Sí Puedo program, on a space available basis giving priority to students in grades 1-3.
        1. Employ 4 Instructional Aides
          1. A schedule will be developed that allocates aide time according to the following scheme:
            1. 25% to Kinder
            2. 25% to Non-CSR classes
            3. 50% to Si Puedo
          2. If class size reduction is successful at the upper grades, and ad hoc committee will be proposed to revise this scheme.
          3. Investigate implementation of a remedial reading program to support struggling readers in the Alianza Alternative program.
    4. Extended Learning
      1. Extend learning time beyond the school day through these kinds of activities. Support activities that will increase communication and integration between these activities and the regular classroom:
        1. AELA (Alianza Extended Learning Academy);
        2. Winter Academy;
        3. Summer School
        4. Saturday School;
        5. AYUDE;
    5. Supplemental personnel to assist in classrooms
      1. Continue to employ a .6 FTE P2 teacher to work with the 4-6 grade program in the following areas: ELD, literacy development, assessment coordination and help, maintaining current database.
      2. Resource Teacher: K-4 Reading Program, continue to support with additional categorical funds for preparation and to maximize effectiveness.
      3. Continue to employ limited term teachers to work with the 2 4-6 grade program in the following areas: ELD, literacy development and assessment.
      4. The Migrant Program will support academic programs and/or instructional interventions that will support K-6 migrant students’ academic development/progress a 1.0 FTE MEST position and 2 FTE Migrant Instructional Aide positions. These staff would collaborate with site staff in the implementation of the Si Puedo Program for emergent readers.
      5. Off track EA Hall Helpers
        1. Administration will provide orientation and oversee deployment of helpers.
      6. CSUMB community service workers
    6. Investigate and implement an appropriate safety net for students whose L1 is English who are having challenges developing literacy in Spanish.

REACH

  1. Continuing Professional Development: Professional development strategies that insure broad and deep implementation of best literacy practices. Initial and ongoing training and support are included.
    1. CSRD grant resources as well as existing categorical funds will be used to support and develop our program in collaboration with the Accelerated Schools Project. Staff will work to refine and improve the Alianza Program through participation in the ASP activities and procedures. Enid Lee will be contracted to serve as our Accelerated Schools Project External Coach. We will renew our contractual agreement with the Los Angeles Accelerated Schools Project Satellite Center.
    2. Collaboration Fridays will be used to integrate and articulate the Alianza Program both horizontally by Grade Level Teams and vertically across grade levels. Grade Level Teams will be released 1/2 day twice a month to meet with Staff Developers to develop Powerful Learning Strategies (Accelerated Schools Program/Table 5 Strategies) and review assessment data to make necessary adjustments to instruction that will improve student achievement on the STAR tests SAT9 , California ELD Test and the other Alianza assessment instruments. Cross Grade Groups will meet at least once a semester to review and refine grade level benchmarks in reading, writing, math and ELD.
      1. 1 FTE Resource Teacher: Collaborative Fridays will be organized and facilitated by the Accelerated Schools Project Internal Coach. One FTE will be allocated for this purpose.
        1. The Accelerated Schools Project Internal Coach will locate, organize and schedule a Super Sub Special Teacher Team that will release Grade Level Teams to participate in Collaborative Friday staff development activities or student assessment activities.
      2. A second staff developer resource teacher will organize and facilitate Collaborative Fridays specifically for Kinder and First Grade Teams and will be paid with supplemental funds.
      3. The focus of grade level collaboration will be to insure that our students reach our Benchmark Literacy Standards in English and Spanish through the consistent and high quality implementation of Powerful Learning Strategies (ASP, formerly Table 5). Collaboration agendas will include:
        1. Establish an effective ELD program across the grades.
        2. Refining and expanding strategies to improve students' comprehension of what they read and fluency in L1 and L2.
        3. Develop Grade Level Appropriate Benchmark Expectations in Writing based on the California Standards.
        4. Analysis of assessment results that include specific strategies and support services for intervention for students' showing a lack of progress.
        5. Continual revision and refining of thematic matrices.
        6. Identify and recommend the purchase of needed materials and books to support thematic matrices and reaching achievement goals.
      4. Include 3 cross grade level collaboration days with an identified teacher leader from each grade level participating quarterly cross grade level collaboration meetings using available structures (Collaboration Fridays, Staff Meetings and/or Restructured Tuesdays)
    3. Provide training opportunities beyond grade level collaboration days to develop expertise in Powerful Learning (ASP/Table 5) strategies. New teachers will receive support here as necessary to integrate them into the school wide program. These opportunities may include travel and release time to attend workshops, conferences or similar activities directly related to the goals and objectives of our School Plan.
      1. Funds will be provided for classified staff to attend SBC days.
      2. Encourage and support Alianza staff to disseminate information about our program model at the Two Way Summer Immersion Conference, CABE & NABE.
    4. Provide instructional materials for teachers new to the school to bring their classroom complement to a level equal with their colleagues.
    5. Maintain a strong and dynamic link between Alianza and UCSC's Teacher Program by inviting student teachers to work with Alianza master teachers.
    6. Technology: Use technology to enhance and improve both the instructional program and the administrative work of the school. Provide training, hardware and software to support this objective. Any/all available funds, including categorical funds, will be used to support our connection to the Internet, repair of/upgrade of/purchase of equipment/software/network, or employ technicians when technical level of repairs exceeds staff knowledge or capability.
    7. Diversity Issues: To create a positive learning environment requires that we continue to work on building trust and collegiality within our staff. Staff will work together to develop cross cultural and collaborative communication skills. Consultants will be hired to facilitate this process. Time and place for retreats to focus on these issues will be identified.
    8. The school will pursue grants (NCLR, Title 7, etc.) that will enhance the ability of the staff, community and program to meet the achievement goals we have established for our students. Funds will be used to pay consultants to help develop plans to improve our program. These plans may be used as the basis of a grant application.

REACH

  1. Home / School Partnership: Literacy development begins at home. The school must forge a strong partnership with the home to ensure that parents: create a literate environment in the home; promote high quality verbal interactions; engage directly and proactively with homework.
    1. Parent Cadre Action Plan: Hire 1 FTE certificated Parent Coordinator to organize parent support/involvement/education.
      1. Alternative: Current structure: .5 FTE Resource Teacher: Parent Education Coordinator that is combined with Asst. Principal position.
    2. Parent Cadre Action Plan: Maintain 1 FTE Classified Parent Education Specialist.
    3. Parent Cadre Action Plan: Investigate for the purpose of purchasing a computerized parent information telephone system. This computer would make unassisted calls to Alianza parents to inform them of school events or important information.
    4. Parent Cadre Action Plan: Parent Coordinator and Parent Education Specialist will survey parents to identify issues of interest to parents related to student achievement that will be addressed in parent forums prior to the Monthly Alianza Council Meetings.
      1. Every grade level classroom teacher will identify one Parent representative and one alternate. These All parents will be encouraged to attend Alianza Council meetings.
    5. Facilitate communication between school and home:
      1. The Action Plan sections of the School Plan will be translated and duplicated for the school community.
      2. Buy stamps to mail home Parent Communications.
    6. Increase Homeroom Teacher/Parent Contact
      1. Increase the level of parent participation in the education of their children by establishing a more personal and pervasive school presence in the families of our students, especially those students who have been identified as being at risk of retention or who have been retained. Every teacher is encouraged and supported to:
        1. make at least one home visit to each of their student's homes (maintain log)
        2. to make regular phone contacts throughout the year about the student's progress. (maintain log), and
        3. in the case of students who are at risk of retention, to send home monthly notices requiring parent signature.
        4. Logs of the above activities will be maintained as required by our CSRD grant.
    7. Integrate parents more into the Alianza educational program by offering the following Parent Workshops:
      1. Literatura Infantil: The motto of Literatura Infantil is "Learning to Read The Word and Read the World." This program takes a personal look at reading and connects literature to our daily lives. The goal is to create a group of parents eager to learn about themselves and others through literature.
      2. SI PUEDO: To conduct mini-workshops on literacy and explain how parents can continue this process at home. Meetings may focus on such themes as: What is SI Puedo, The Writing Process, Explanation of the Reading Process, How to do Guided Reading, Using Songs and Poems to Promote Reading/Writing, Make a Word.
      3. PELT: Parent Effective Leadership Training. Two parents along with Parent Coordinator will conduct the 6 series Spanish workshop. The program covers such areas as what is leadership, what is the chain of command in the educational process, the developmental stages of children and many more. One major goal of the program is to empower parents in presentation skills so that they become the facilitators of the workshops.
      4. Niños Bien Educados: These parent "get-togethers" are informal in nature and during the first semester were structured as "platicas" using the Niños Bien Educados curriculum to give information to parents about such topics as Immigration/Adjusting to the United States, Acceptable and Unacceptable Child Rearing Practices, Family Expectations and different Parenting methods/techniques that can be used. The meetings always resulted in much sharing of "consejos" and "apoyo" from one parent to another.
        1. Second semester of Niños Bien Educados may take the following format of inviting guest speakers to address issues that have been identified by parents.
      5. CLUB ALIANZA: The Parent Education Specialist will organize a group of Alianza parents to increase the “parent to parent” connection. Activities of the group will be determined by the participating parents.
    8. Back to School Night: Each Grade Level Team will organize a team presentation to provide parents with the following information:
      1. Introduce the Subject Area Content Standards,
      2. Introduce Promotion / Retention requirements,
      3. What our 2 Way Bilingual Immersion Program “looks like” at their grade level,
      4. Define what homework expectations are at that grade level,
      5. Demonstrate effective key strategies to explain how parents can help their student at home, linked to our School / District Student Achievement Goals,
      6. Present unique elements or requirements of the program,
    9. Beginning of the Year Bus Stop Visits - As a way of networking with parents and getting to know the Alianza attendance area, teachers will be encouraged to go out with the Parent Coordinator to the morning bus stops to create this connection with students and parents.
    10. Childcare to maximize participation of parents at workshops, meetings and other school activities.
    11. Food and other necessary meeting supplies will be provided at evening meetings.
    12. Partner with the Pajaro Valley USD, The City of Watsonville and the Latino Issues Forum to implement the Rural Technology and Information Project in the Rodriguez Street community. This project will provide computer labs at both Alianza and Marinovich Center. It will also place 250 computers in the homes of Alianza families. Alianza will support this program and will work with our partners to develop a program that will use technology to both empower our families and support increased student academic achievement.