Findings Supporting EvidenceProfessionally Acceptable Assessment ProcessPCS uses a variety of methods to report student performance data to parents and other shareholders of the community.

Educators at Pacoima Charter use the results of assessments to inform our instruction. Assessments are used to screen students, monitor academic progress, and to diagnose the academic needs of our students. We use the assessments to decide what instructional strategies are working and strategies need to be improved. Instructional decisions that are made are data driven which are a result of data analysis and exploring root causes. We also use assessments to inform us on strategies that are not working.

We use Professional Developments to help improve our instructional techniques. For example we have been receiving training in Direct Instruction strategies by Dataworks for the past two years. Dataworks has helped us fine tune how we deliver direct instruction lessons and has trained us to on how to teach grade level appropriate work daily.

In addition the Success For All Foundation assists us in identifying and implementing instructional strategies designed to meet the needs of all our students. They provide monthly coaching and an array of supports to help us meet the needs of our students.

Grade level coordinators also assist teachers with using data to make instructional decisions and provide opportunities for teachers to assess their students and discuss the results of assessments through grade level meetings.

PLAC Minutes PLAC agenda School report card Telephone calls through Teleparent Progress Reports STAR Reports Reclassification letters

D1: To what extent does Pacoima Charter use a professionally acceptable assessment process to collect, disaggregate, analyze and report students performance data to the parents and other shareholders of the community?

D2a: To what extent do teachers employ a variety of assessment strategies to evaluate student learning?

Findings Supporting EvidenceAnalyze assessment data in grade level and curriculum council meetings.

CST/STAR data 4 sight AYP Annual Measurable Objectives CELDT data Math data Formal ELD assessment Math assessment Weekly SFA assessments Success Maker 4 sight Quarterly roots assessments Stepping Stones assessments and Oral

language observations Quarterly reading comprehension

assessment ELA assessments Quarterly science test Writing performance assessments CST CELDT EDI lessons ELD monitoring

CST data meetings (3rd and 4thgrade, September)

4 sight data meeting (2nd June) Staff meeting ELD monitoring reports and memos Quarterly math assessments SMART goals Data analysis worksheet for ELA Data analysis worksheet for math ELD level 1, 2, and 3 assessments (1st

grade) Math word problem assessment (3rd

grade), Quarterly assessments (all grade levels)

Roots assessments, Wings assessments Success Maker course reports 4 sight assessment (2nd-5th) Stepping Stones assessment (Kinder) Quarterly Reading comprehension

assessment ELA assessment (4th grade) Quarterly science assessment Writing performance assessments CST results CELDT results EDI PowerPoints ELD portfolios ELD Level 1 assessment (Kinder)

D2b: To what extent do students and teachers use these findings to modify the teaching/learning process for the enhancement of the educational progress of every student?

Findings Supporting EvidenceAnalyze teaching strategies in grade level and curriculum council meetings to modify teaching.

Action plan Discussion of what strategies work in other

classrooms. Reassessment materials

Action plan Guided reflective questions Edusoft student guide

D3:

Findings Supporting Evidence

D4:

Findings Supporting EvidenceWe have been an SFA reading program school

for the past 10 years. Over the years we have seen consistent growth in regards to student reading comprehension. Due to our consistent growth we continue to implement the Success for All (SFA) program. SFA’s major components includes daily 90 minute reading program, regrouping of students into smaller, homogeneous groups, 8 week assessments, cooperative learning, and one-on-one tutoring. For the past three years we have used our monetary resources to purchase professional development by SFA trainers which have allowed us to move from a mechanical stage of implementation to a more refined level. SFA consultants visit monthly to provide training in the use of data and instructional strategies. They also coach and mentor the staff. Currently the leadership team has been involved in Leadership training which has helped them become more data savvy and has increased their knowledge on how to better support our teachers. We allow several of the teachers, coordinators, and administrators to attend SFA conferences where they learn more about the program, data collecting, and become more familiar with instructional reading techniques. In 2007, PCS purchased SFA’s Savvy Reader which is a program designed to increase students’ core reading strategies.

In 2008 PCS hired a tutoring facilitator to make our tutoring program run more efficiently. She is responsible for making sure all students reading below grade level and roots students receive tutoring throughout the week. She make schedule for tutors, trains the staff on the how to use the tutoring computer programs, Alfie’s Alley and Team Alfie. Students perform grade level also receive tutoring through our Saturday School.

Our CST data indicated that our EL students struggle with ELA and meeting their AYP targets. Therefore in 2008 we implemented ELD Cadres. Cadres were responsible for designing lessons the developed vocabulary and English oral language. There is a cadre for each grade level. Selected teachers met quarterly to design lessons, and they were responsible for teaching their grade level how to implement the lessons. Also in 2008 teachers and coordinators received training on how to implement ELD strategies into their daily lessons. The training was provided by Dataworks.

See photos

Data also indicated that there needed to be some changes made in our science program. In 2006 only 7% of PCS 5th graders scored proficient on the 5th grade CST Science test. Since 2007 the PCS Science program has continued to grow and improve each year. By 2009 PCS 62% of PCS 5th graders scored proficient.

In 2007 Mr. Harper was hired as the fulltime science instructor. Mr. Harper teaches science to the 4th and 5th grade classes. By using data from science quizzes and quarterly science tests, Mr. Harper and the 4th and 5th grade teachers have become more efficient in their planning and have adjusted to the needs of their students. Furthermore, they have been using the science instructional guide (SIG) which is a research based science pacing plan. Additionally Mr. Harper promotes science vocabulary development through puzzle contests and also conducts a Science Club which is open to the children during after school hours. The afterschool programs also have science enrichment activities and the children participate in the local science fair. For past two years they have placed 1st and earned a trip to Space Camp in Huntsville, Alabama.

Science permeates our school culture. In May 2009 PCS dedicated their literacy garden and edible garden. The edible garden has been a major success at school. It not only beautifies the school but is also a virtual laboratory with vegetable plots/flower plots (assigned by grade level), and a compost area. Children are able to visit the garden at recess or with their class. The garden helps to teach our students about the plant life cycle and proper nutrition.

Over the years, PCS has implemented more technology into our instruction. In 2006-07, PCS opened two computer labs and adopted the Successmaker computer program. Successmaker is a computer program that offers instruction in fundamental skills and strategies. The courses on Successmaker are structured around the educational needs of each student in reading and math. In the same year PCS also purchased Edusoft which is an online assessment and data analysis program. Reports produced by Edusoft allow teachers to analyze students’ growth and concerns in all subject areas. They are also used to set goals and targets. In 2008 PCS purchased laptops and projectors for each classroom which teachers have used

to enrich their instructional delivery. In 2009 SMART boards were also purchased for the 4th and 5th grade classes. Each teacher was also given a document camera.By looking at data and test scores, PCS determined that there needed to be some changes made to our math program as well. Since 2007 PCS CST math scores have gone up considerably. PCS CST math scores (across the grade levels) went up a total of 17 points in 2008 and 19 points in 2009. The success can be directly attributed to the Math instructional guide, introduction of the Successmaker computer program, Edusoft, EDI math lessons, WFTB, and increased usage of math manipulatives.

Assessments data is used to guide our Professional development decisions. Over the past few years PCS as been working closely with SFA, Dataworks, and Thinking Maps organizations to help improve instructional delivery of core subjects.

SFA Program

SFA board reminds students of reading goal and charts progress of teams

Students work together to answer text related questions

Maribel Garcia is PCS tutoring facilitator

Students receiving one-on-one tutoring through computer program, Alfie’s Alley

Ms. Reeves, Librarian, provides annual book fairs, and conducts a before school reading program called Power Kids

Science Program

Mr. Harper is our science instructor.