Norfolk County Agricultural High School SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT PLAN 2011-2014
NORFOLK COUNTY AGRICULTURAL HIGH SCHOOL SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT PLAN 2011-2014 INTRODUCTION As required by the Education Reform Act of 1993, NCAHS has established and maintained an active School Council since September, 1993. Through a formal process of nominations, elections, and appointments, the School Council presently consists of 6 parents, 4 teachers, 4 students, and 1 community representative. These individuals are: Principal Parents Teachers/Support Services Students Suzanne Green, Co-Chair Karen Martin Claire Broderick Catherine McCarthy Susan Napier William Cannon, Co-Chair Matthew Joyce Michael Eastwood Molly McCarthy Sean Brady Kayla Lee Community Representative Duane Rice The School Council meets the first Thursday of months on the School Council meeting calendar. Additional meetings are called as needed. 2
SCHOOL COUNCIL RESPONSIBILITIES The School Council exists to assist the Principal in advancing the philosophy and goals of the Norfolk County Agricultural High School. As intended by The Education Reform Act of 1993, the NCAHS School Council has five major areas of responsibility: 1. Adopting educational goals for the school that are consistent with local educational policies and statewide student performance standards; 2. Identifying the needs of students attending the school; 3. Reviewing the annual school budget; 4. Formulating a School Improvement Plan; and 5. Reviewing the Student Handbook each spring to consider changes in policy to take effect for the following year. ELEMENTS OF THE SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT PLAN The School Improvement Plan, as described in the legislation, is mandated to include the following elements. The NCAHS School Improvement Plan also addresses these components. 1. An assessment of: The impact of class size on student performance Student-to-teacher ratios Ratios of students to other supportive adult resources 2. A scheduled plan for reducing class size, if deemed necessary 3. Professional development for the school s staff and the allocation of any professional development funds in the school budget 4. Enhancement of parental involvement in the life of the school 5. School safety and discipline 6. Establishment of a school environment characterized by tolerance and respect for all groups 7. Extra-curricular activities 3
8. Means for meeting, within the regular education programs at the school, the diverse learning needs of as many children as possible, including children with special needs currently assigned to separate programs 9. Any further subjects the Principal, in consultation with the School Council, shall consider appropriate 10. In addition, in school systems with language minority populations, the professional development component of the Council s plan shall address the need for teachers professional development in second language acquisition and on working with culturally and linguistically diverse student populations. The spirit of the law calls for collaboration between the council and the principal. The principal needs to create an environment of openness, collegiality and respect for all participants. In order to address these elements, the School Council has works as a committee of the whole, and the group establishes priorities for the committee to work on each year. All members of the School Council will develop the School Improvement Plan and review the proposed budget. 4
District Curriculum Accommodation Plan Introduction Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 71, Section 38Q1/2, require the adoption and implementation of a District Curriculum Accommodation Plan (DCAP). The purpose of the DCAP is to assist principals and teachers in ensuring that every effort has been made to meet the diverse learning styles of students in the regular education classroom. To this end, the DCAP serves as a guide to accommodating and analyzing student learning needs. The Norfolk Aggie DCAP includes support, services and personnel available to meet students needs within the regular education setting. Programmatic Support and Service Available to Students in the Regular Education Setting Leveled classes in core subjects Vocational exploratory program Computer labs Co-taught classes in academic areas Academic Summer Support program Dual enrollment opportunities Peer mentor program, NHS tutoring program Weekly progress reports Learning styles inventory Diagnostic testing as needed Parent meetings Curriculum development review committees, teams, opportunities Professional learning communities Teacher website with links to homework assignments and extra help Technology to support learning (smart board, power point) ELL training Assessment of grade 9 students for placement recommendations After school help from teachers Independent study, educational experience Co-op work experience projects Internships Ongoing assessment of MCAS results Teacher Mentor Program Professional development for teachers Bullying prevention program SAT Student Assistance Team 5
NCAHS District Accommodation Plan 2011-2014 (continued) Support Personnel Available to Students in the Regular Education Setting Guidance Counselor Librarian Nurse Speech and Language Therapist Dean of Students Director of Student Services Assistant Principal Technology Specialist Student Assistant Team Curriculum Accommodations Recommended and/or available in the Regular Education Setting: Physical/Structural: Provide preferential seating Limit distractions Allow for movement and sensory breaks Offer flexible student groupings Provide wait time Instructional Strategy: Vary activities Allow breaks Provide wait time Use rubrics Use transition cues Use technology assisted instruction Repeat or re-teach concepts with a different approach Identify student s learning style Provide visual cues, use overheads or smartboard technology Break down tasks into manageable steps Incorporate reading strategies across the content areas Provide home copies of reference tools/textbooks Provide study guides Provide multi-modal presentations of materials Utilize differentiated instruction and assignments Offer peer group activities 6
NCAHS District Accommodation Plan 2011-2014 (continued) Provide individual help in the classroom Arrange small group instruction Utilize technology/computer assisted instruction Provide challenge projects Utilize multiple intelligence/learning style approaches Model and offer use of graphic organizers Develop integrated curriculum projects Provide assistance with note taking Vary teaching strategies Provide copy of class notes Emphasize important points within written text/material Assistive technology e.g., word processor, software, calculators, books on tape Models or examples of end product Repeat/clarify directions Organization/Assignments: Teach specific organizational strategies Visual daily calendars and/or agenda Check often for understanding/review Have student repeat directions Use study sheets to organize material Design/write/use long-term assignment timelines Break down assignments into manageable steps Provide manipulatives Vary teaching strategies Identify learning style Provide visual cues Include transition cues Provide reference tools, web sites and textbooks for homework support Provide study guides Provide strategies to parents to support homework completion Establish clear routines Break down tasks into manageable steps Allow student to type assignments Provide visual and auditory daily assignments 7
NCAHS District Accommodation Plan 2011-2014 (continued) Assessment: Provide cueing and wait time or think time to encourage participation Provide multi-modal presentation of instruction and materials Frequent progress monitoring and feedback to student on progress Instruct students in study skills, note-taking; model these skills during instruction Utilize technology and computer Utilize peer buddy systems for study groups or homework check-ins Allow extended time for those tests that determine a student s knowledge and mastery of content, but not fluency in the subject area Allow the use of word processing for assignments and assessments Use of alternate setting for assessments Provide varied assignments Teach test-taking strategies and practice Allow oral, project based, performance based tests Preview language of test questions Administer in short period Behavioral Strategies: Change seating, preferential seating Adjust classroom management techniques Parent communication Define clear and consistent expectations Arrange preferred seating Adjust behavior management or classroom management strategies Use simple corrective measures Post classroom expectations in view of all students Classroom interventions by guidance counselor Develop student contracts or individual behavior improvement plans Utilize charts and graphs to monitor expectations Adjust classroom management strategies Contact parents/facilitate parent support/strategies and communication Consult with guidance counselor, special needs staff Provide daily schedule and agenda Include positive reinforcement Facilitate parent support/communication Use visual/auditory reminders of behavior expectations Provide strategies to parents Cue student for change of behavior and/or venue 8
NCAHS District Accommodation Plan 2011-2014 (continued) Establish clear routines/expectations Use diverse classroom management strategies Set clearly defined standards Allow access to other professional personnel, e.g. behavior specialist, nurse 9
2011-2014 NCAHS SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT ACTION PLAN Achievement and Academic Support Goal #1: To implement effective techniques and strategies to improve skills in Math and ELA scores as measured by increased student performance scores on the MCAS tests. Initiatives for Improvement Person(s) Responsible Resources / Funding Timeline Evaluation Assessment Sources of Evidence Degree of Attainment MCAS data analyzed to assess student achievement to improve scores in core area subjects District budget Annually MCAS Reporting Data Provide support programs for students in need of instructional support Nat l Honor Society Peer tutoring Summer Program Extra Help Executive functioning support Further development of study skills and staff, NHS students School budget, Special Education grants Summer 2010- MCAS Results Pre and post testing Develop Educational Proficiency Plans for students not reaching Proficient or Advanced on the MCAS Academic Coordinator, Student Services, staff School budget Annually Student records Provide opportunities for students to take the Accuplacer to assist in academic remediation prior to graduation. Tech Prep Coordinators Tech Prep grant Annually Assessment records Development of a school wide supply list for school supplies for students Master Notebook Committee School budget June 2011 Pre and posting surveys 10
2011-2014 NCAHS SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT ACTION PLAN Professional Development 1. Goal #2: To implement initiatives that provide professional development for teachers in the areas of need. Initiatives for Improvement Person(s) Responsible Resources/Funding Timeline Evaluation Assessment Sources of Evidence Degree of Attainment Provide opportunities for staff to take courses conveniently to support their professional development and recertification efforts. with staff input Perkins Grant, district budget through contract June 2011- Increased number of staff taking classes and getting certified sooner Workshops, conferences, trainings on a variety of topics including, but not limited to: Group/Cooperative Learning New technology and the use of software applications Classroom Management Rubrics/Assessments with staff input Perkins grant, district budget through contract Sept 2009 June 2011 Attendance Increase the number of staff who complete all PD workshops Support the school in training instructors on Level II English Language Learners (ELL) training Principal Grants Increase the number of staff who receive the full training by 15% 11
2011-2014 NCAHS SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT ACTION PLAN School Climate Goal #3: To continue to provide a safe, healthy and inviting environment that will support student learning. Initiatives for Improvement Person(s) Responsible Resources/Funding Timeline Evaluation Assessment Sources of Evidence Degree of Attainment Support the increase of diversity within the school to support students and their families and enrich the cultural diversity of our educational community. Principal School budget, supplemented by grants Increase cultural diversity of campus by 3% between 2011 and 2012, and another 3% between 2012 and 2014. Work with the school in the development of a new school website and new admissions materials Superintendent, Website/Admissions Committee School budget Sept 2012- June 2013 Increased use of site as determined by visitor counter Pre and post surveys Work towards being a greener campus and provide educational programming around environmental and recycling initiatives Principal, staff and Student Council School budget, grants June 2012 Increased recycling by 20% over the next school year Promote positive school culture through school wide activities. Staff,, Student Council, NHS School budget, grants Sept. 2011 Increased number of activities offered 12
2011-2014 NCAHS SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT ACTION PLAN Community Support and Involvement Goal #4: Increase parent, alumni and community awareness and participation between 2011 2014. Initiatives for Improvement Person(s) Responsible Resources/Funding Timeline Evaluation Assessment Sources of Evidence Degree of Attainment Support the Aggie community through involvement in school events such as Aggie Family Day, the Hayride, and Open House. Parent Network, Alumni Association, Staff and Self-supporting May 2011 Increase family and alumni involvement in the school by 10% in the next three years. Assist the Parent Network in increasing parent involvement in school and Parent Network sponsored activities Parent Network, Staff, Parent Network budget Increase involvement by 10% over the next three years Support the efforts of the school to expand charitable involvement to support and sustain positive character development and community involvement among students. and staff School budget and private donations Increase community service and charitable participation by 10% over the next three years Work with the NCAHS Alumni Association to coordinate activities and enhance communication between graduates and the Aggie school community through the new building project., NCAHS Alumni Association Alumni Association budget and revenues generated through activities June 2013 Hits from the NCAHS Alumni website and attendance at New Building Open House Endorse the school s policy of sharing resources with the local community, staff, students School budget Continue to maintain the current level of support over the next three years Begin the process of designing and planning for the 100 th anniversary celebration of the school for facilitating the committee School budget and private donations Begin Sept 2012, Implement Sept. 2016 Committee formed by 2014, with $2500 raised for the celebration 13
2011-2014 NCAHS SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT ACTION PLAN Curriculum and Instruction Goal #5: Continue the implementation of the academic and vocational frameworks, and the safety program for the school. Initiatives for Improvement Person(s) Responsible Resources/ Funding Timeline Evaluation Assessment Sources of Evidence Degree of Attainment Implement competency tracking for all vocational classes. Instructional staff, Perkins Grant/budget Implementation of an electronic tracking program for all students Implement competency tracking for all academic classes. Instructional staff, Perkins Grant/budget Implementation of an electronic tracking program for all students Continue to document a full scale written safety test program with archival documentation. Instructional staff, Perkins Grant/budget Implementation of an electronic tracking program for all students Investigate school wide schedule for midterms and finals, with potential double periods during exam week for academics Instructional staff, School budget Investigation of area schools schedules and recommendation to staff for discussion, recommendation to trustees Insure all courses are fully aligned with the CVTE Frameworks, the MA Curriculum Frameworks and the Common Core. Instructional staff, Perkins Grant/budget Completed by June 2012 14