Dr. Doug Bennett, Superintendent 718 N Main St London, KY 40741-1222 Document Generated On January 13, 2014
TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction 1 Description of the School System 2 System's Purpose 4 Notable Achievements and Areas of Improvement 6 Additional Information 8
Introduction Every school system has its own story to tell. The context in which teaching and learning takes place influences the processes and procedures by which the school system makes decisions around curriculum, instruction, and assessment. The context also impacts the way a school system stays faithful to its vision. Many factors contribute to the overall narrative such as an identification of stakeholders, a description of stakeholder engagement, the trends and issues affecting the school system, and the kinds of programs and services that a school system implements to support student learning. <br><br> The purpose of the Executive Summary (ES) is to provide a school system with an opportunity to describe in narrative form the strengths and challenges it encounters. By doing so, the public and members of the community will have a more complete picture of how the school system perceives itself and the process of self-reflection for continuous improvement. This summary is structured for the school system to reflect on how it provides teaching and learning on a day to day basis. Page 1
Description of the School System Describe the school system's size, community/communities, location, and changes it has experienced in the last three years. Include demographic information about the students, staff, and community at large. What unique features and challenges are associated with the community/communities the school system serves? The is comprised of eleven elementary schools Pre-K- 5, two middle schools grades 6-8, two high schools grades 9-12, one alternative program serving high school students and one day treatment facility for students in grades 7-12. Enrollment in the exceeds 9500 making it the 13th largest public school district in Kentucky. The is the largest employer in our community with almost 650 certified staff and 600 classified employees. Laurel County, population 59,462, is a rural community with a diverse economy of manufacturing, service and support industries, farming, etc. located on Interstate 75 and the Hal Rogers Parkway in southeastern Kentucky. 97% of the population in Laurel County is white, the median household income is $35,147 with the median home price at $105,000; 54% of Laurel County's population is between the ages of 25 and 64 with 21.5% of the total population being under the age of 16. Laurel County has an unemployment rate of 9.5%, greater than Kentucky at 8.2% and the US at 8.1%. Source: U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of the Census 2012 The supports fully staffed transportation, maintenance, finance, and Informational Technology departments. School nurses, School Resource Officers, Hearing and Vision Impaired teachers, Occupational and Physical Therapists, and an ESL teacher are employed as student support services; two Academic Specialists and an Elementary, Secondary, and Special Education Director along with a Chief Academic Officer all serve to support the school administration and staff. Laurel County boasts 24 National Board Certified Teachers; 87% of staff have obtained a masters degree or higher and the average years teaching experience of staff is 12.1 years. The student/teacher ratio in the Laurel County Schools is 17:1. The student population of the has approximately 16.1% students with disabilities, 3% minority and less than 1% ESL students and 21.4% Gifted and Talented students. 64.7% of Laurel County students are considered low-socioeconomic status (eligible for free or reduced price lunch). Laurel County Schools has a 65% graduation rate and a 2.1% dropout rate and data indicates that 11.5% of graduates do not successfully transition to adult life. District survey data indicates that 53% of Laurel County students have internet access at home. One of the most significant changes within the school district during the last three years has been in personnel. Whether due to retirements, promotions, reallocation of resources or funding restraints, staff changes have been prominent in the. The 2013-14 school year is Superintendent Dr. Doug Bennett's second year at the helm of the. Beginning this school year, there were three new school principals, one assistant principal; a new High School Athletic Director and Director of Special Education; a new position, Chief Academic Officer, held by an existing employee and 33 new teachers, four of which are Preschool teachers as a result of increased Pre-K enrollment and one supplemental teacher allocated to serve both High Schools teaching Algebra I to students repeating the class. Other additional staff within the last three years include: an Energy Efficiency Manager, a Safety Liaison, Community Involvement Coordinator, School Psychologist, and English as Second Language program assistant. From another perspective beginning this school year, the Laurel County Schools saw a reduction in para-educators serving students with disabilities and a reduction in maintenance and transportation staff; the loss of the Curriculum Coach position and Assistant Superintendent position. During the last three years, the has been the recipient of two notable grants; a Reading Grant from the Elgin Page 2
Foundation, Knoxville, TN and the GEAR UP Grant from Berea College, Berea, KY. Both grants have been generous and proving to increase student academic achievement and college and career readiness. The Elgin Foundation Grant supports the Laurel County Elementary Reading Program in grades Pre-K - 3 providing a researched-based curriculum, norm-referenced interim assessment and on-site coaching for teachers and principals. The goal of the Reading Grant is to ensure that 90% of 3rd grade students are reading at or above grade level by the end of third grade. During the 2013-14 school year, district staff is working with Elgin Foundation consultants to develop a district plan for sustainability of the Reading Program after the grant period. The GEAR UP Grant serves two cohorts of students, 2017 and 2018 graduates, at both North and South Schools with the purpose of improving student performance and college-readiness, increasing the graduation and college-going rates while building a college-going culture in the schools and community. Staff, students and parents are provided various resources and information related to the GEAR UP Goals. Swimming, Bass Fishing, and Archery as well as the Elementary Basketball program (girls and boys basketball and cheerleading) are recent additions in extra-curricular activities. These activities were added to promote student engagement and greater participation in school and school-related activities as well as community support and involvement. One of the greatest challenges of the Laurel County School System is operating a high quality, high performing district under the current state budget constraints. Maintaining the level of services and technology currently provided to support schools/staff/students with the goals before them will be difficult. Districts and schools are being asked to do more with less. District leaders are working with schools, community and business leaders and other stakeholders to analyze data, review allocations, restructure resources, and explore alternatives to continue efficient and effective operations within the school system. The District Superintendent and Board of Education are focused on continuous improvement and student academic achievement. In August 2015, the will open the Laurel County Career Readiness Center, a vocational/technical school unlike most vocational/technical schools. The Career Readiness Center will not only provide traditional technical programs but also offer college-prepatory Project Lead the Way programs through state-of-the-art media and technology opportunities. Other challenges within our School District include implementing the vast current legislative and regulatory changes. Districts and schools are being asked to implement state-directed programs or initiatives such as the Professional Growth and Effectiveness System (PGES), Continuous Instructional Improvement Technology System (CIITS), Senate Bill 97 which raises the compulsory attendance age to 18, etc. with limited or no state funding to accompany these mandates. While several of the state-directed programs/initiatives are quality and align with our District's mission/vision, the lack of funding and time and/or resource requirements makes implementation a challenge. Page 3
System's Purpose Provide the school system's purpose statement and ancillary content such as mission, vision, values, and/or beliefs. Describe how the school system embodies its purpose through its program offerings and expectations for students. The Laurel County Schools are committed to improving teaching and learning through a continuous planning process, an equitable allocation of resources, high quality professional development for all staff, and the expectation of proficient achievement by all students. The District will utilize the comprehensive improvement planning process to target schools needing assistance, communicate district wide expectations and obtain greater stakeholder involvement to assist schools and students in reaching proficiency. The mission of the is to prepare students for success by providing a quality education to facilitate the realization of the District's vision that all students will be continually successful, responsible life-long learners. The Laurel County Schools 'Blueprint for Success' embraces a culture of teamwork to guarantee that viable and high quality instruction is delivered to ensure that every child has a chance to succeed every day. District leadership practices, communicates, and monitors high expectations and data driven decisions. As a result, all schools implement and monitor purposeful, reflective, and intentional planning of a prescribed and aligned curriculum. Research based differentiated instructional strategies are delivered. Formative assessments are administered to guide instruction and promote student performance. The Laurel County Board of Education cares about the students, community and nation and are driven to do their part to help build a prosperous future filled with opportunity for Laurel County students. The local Board of Education believes in doing great things for kids and operate on the following five goals: Learning - Every Laurel County Student will experience instruction that is learner-centered, beneficial, engaging and focused on developing the students' academic strengths and interests. Each student will receive preparation for a successful life beyond graduation. 21st Century Skills - Every Laurel County student will be provided with learning opportunities that develop critical thinking and problem solving skills that focus on a flexible and adaptive mindset essential for lifelong learning. These skills include teamwork building, communication, technology and analysis. Foundational Skills - Every Laurel County student, regardless of starting level, will demonstrate at least one year of academic progress in Reading and Mathematics. Communication Skills - Laurel County students will be provided multiple opportunities to demonstrate their learning through a variety of formats including: writing, speaking, visual and performing arts and media-technology. Innovation - Staff and administration will operate beyond the traditional scope of thinking to develop innovative solutions to drive and accelerate our students' learning and achievement. Examples illustrating the Laurel County Board of Education's commitment to and execution of the above goals and beliefs: In the Fall of 2013 after much deliberation and a public hearing, the Laurel County Board of Education voted to enact a 4% tax increase. Funds generated from this tax increase will be used to further the above student and district goals. Beginning the 2013-14 school year, the Board allocated an additional teacher to the High Schools to teach repeat Algebra I classes to students who had failed the course. In May 2013, the Board purchased land for the construction of a new Career Readiness Center; blueprints are drawn, programs are approved and construction will begin in February 2014 for opening in August 2015. Page 4
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Notable Achievements and Areas of Improvement Describe the school system's notable achievements and areas of improvement in the last three years. Additionally, describe areas for improvement that the school system is striving to achieve in the next three years. Some notable achievements of the : The is proud to be accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools AdvancED CASI since 2009. The District has an award winning transportation department recognized by KDE. The District was recognized by London Downtown with a Beautification Award for the construction of London Elementary School and the Central Office Building on Main Street. The Central Office building of the District received an Energy Star Award for energy efficiency. An independent audit performed on 's finances for year ending June 30, 2013 revealed no findings, a 'perfect' audit. From the 2013 state assessment results, two Elementary Schools are noted as 'Schools of Distinction', Bush Elementary and Hunter Hills Elementary. The improved its classification from 'Needs Improvement' to 'Proficient' under the state's assessment system with the release of the 2013 assessment data. Some of the most notable areas of improvement within the last three years in the Laurel County Schools have been the attainment of a couple of considerable grants for the schools. The Elgin Foundation of Knoxville, TN has provided the Elementary Schools, specifically grades K-3, with a research based Reading curriculum and formative assessment tool since 2010. Professional development, materials, and job-embedded consultant support for standardized implementation continues to be provided annually. The common curriculum, SRA Imagine It, and assessment tool, NWEA's Measures of Academic Progress (MAP), provides consistency in curriculum and instruction for transient students within the district and allows collaboration among staff across the elementary schools which builds and sustains strength in the program. The goal of the Reading Initiative is that 90% of 3rd grade students will read on grade level at the end of 3rd grade by 2015 as measured by the MAP assessment. Student progress is monitored routinely by the schools, district and the Elgin Foundation. The District has also been fortunate enough to attain the GEAR UP Grant from Berea College since 2011. GEAR UP Appalachia serves a cohort of middle school students, following them through high school and into college - 2017 and 2018 graduating classes. The goals of GEAR UP are to increase performance and college readiness, increase high school graduation rates and college-going rates, and to build and enrich a college-going culture in the schools and communities we serve. Program staff afforded by the GEAR UP Grant monitors the goals of the grant by providing interventions to at-risk students, hosting various parent/community meetings, organizing services, opportunities, resources, etc. for students, and serving as a liaison to the schools, the district and Berea College. Other notable initiatives that have improved the School System are: The addition of four Preschool classrooms over the last two years allowing more at-risk students to be serviced. The continued financial support of the McDaniel Learning Center, a high school alternative program where students at-risk of academic failure and dropping out can recover and earn credits toward graduation and/or earn their secondary GED. Both High Schools in the district operate on the same daily schedule creating consistency for transient students, staff collaboration, and more effective district support. A common Math textbook/resources, K-5, among all Elementary Schools creating consistency for transient students, staff collaboration and Page 6
more effective district support. During the next three years, the district will design and open a Career Readiness Center which will provide technical and career skills to high school students. The Career Readiness Center will increase the graduation rate and decrease the student drop-out rate while preparing more students for college and careers. Other plans for improvement in the district within the next three years are: The district will create grade level exit criteria and move to standards-based grading at the Elementary level to assess and ensure student mastery of content and skills building a firm foundation and creating a systemic process for improving college and career readiness. A district writing program including a grammar curriculum will be developed, communicated and implemented at every level. An ELearning curriculum will be produced and posted to the district's webpage to offer students a technology-based education enhancement and/or remediation tool. A District TV channel programmed with various district and school communications, student presentations such as plays, sporting events, concerts, academic competitions, etc., tutorial opportunities, etc. to promote greater communication and stakeholder involvement will be produced as well. Page 7
Additional Information Provide any additional information you would like to share with the public and community that were not prompted in the previous sections. The will continue to allocate resources, provide professional development, develop and implement policy and procedures, etc. to close achievement gaps, increase the achievement of all students, and improve graduation rates. Page 8