Title: Case Study: An Inside Look at a Charter School Surviving AYP
1Case Study An Inside Look at aCharter School
Surviving AYP
New Frontiers Charter School
- School Improvement Conference
- December 2006
2What Happened?
- New Frontiers Charter School (NFCS) did not meet
AYP - Low ESL math scores
- Identified as a needs improvement school
- District launches end-to-end evaluation
3NFCS Transformation
- Validated mission and vision
- Hired highly-qualified personnel
- Evaluated existing deficiencies
- Implemented site-based management
- Developed new organizational structure
- Non-renewed management company
4NFCS District Org Chart
5NFCS Campus Org Chart
6Effective School Components
- Instructional leadership
- Provided by principal
- Modeled by teachers
- Supported by superintendent
- Clear and focused mission
- Buy-in by NFCS community
- Clear instructional goals, priorities, assessment
procedures and accountability - A shift toward high-level learning and basic
skills - Climate of high expectations for success
- Belief that all students can learn
- Belief that all students can attain mastery
- Low risk due to shared accountability environment
7Effective School Components
- Safe and orderly environment
- Provide an environment conducive to learning
- Provided peer mediation for better involvement
- Divided the school into separate campuses
- Frequent monitoring of student progress/assessment
- Planned benchmarks based on criterion testing
- Data analysis shapes instruction
- Integrate technology supports assessments
8Effective School Components
- Home-school relations / parental involvement
- Principals coffee
- TAKS awareness night
- Academic nights
- Parent internet portal (Grade Speed)
- Mandatory parent conferences
- Parent compact to produce school/parent authentic
partnership - Opportunity to learn and student time on task
- Thorough understanding of TEKS
- Minimal interruptions by effective classroom
management - Provided consistent learning strategies
9Team Concept Components
- Staff and faculty buy-in
- Shared responsibility for success
- Team mentors and coaches
- Team collaboration / cohesiveness
- Establishing committees and their roles
- Teachers, parent and students provide input
- Recommend solutions based on needs assessments
- Designate focus team using sub-committees
- Specific areas of concerns such as attendance,
PBMAS, school improvement - Develop internal and external support
- Use any and all support resources available
10Internal Support
- Site-based decision committees
- Attendance
- Discipline
- Policies and Procedures
- Performance-based Monitoring System
- Parental Involvement
- Campus Improvement
11External Support
- Education Service Center Region 20
- Program support Special Ed, ESL and science
- Assessments and benchmarks (ACEit)
- District back office
- Outside Consultants
- Educational instruction math, science and social
studies - Faculty and staff team building
- Partnerships and Alliances
- Local community center
- Educational prevention programs
- Parent support and training programs
- Neighboring school districts
- Technical Assistance Provider (TAP)
- Martha Stone
12Site-based Management
- Validate and analyze AYP data
- Conduct appropriate needs assessments
- Review programs
- LEP/ESL
- ARI
- AMI
- Reading/Math Intervention
- Dyslexia
- Special Ed / Speech
- Curriculum
- Alignment
- Schedules
- Implement program improvements as necessary
13Site-based Management
- Other related areas
- Funding
- Open enrollment
- Relations with surrounding ISDs
- Alliances with charter schools
- Technology
- Teacher buy-in
- Parent and community support
- Regional resources
14Address ESL and Other DeficienciesPrograms
- Staff development calendar
- Math and science curriculum alignment
- Test-taking strategies
- ESL methodology
- Special Ed and ESL accommodations and
modifications - Science strategies
- Regional service support
- Team building
- Managing from the Heart
- TEKS/TAKS informational booklet review
- Lesson cycles
15Address ESL and Other DeficienciesPrograms
- Modified student schedule
- Math and reading pull-out groups during school
day - Saturday TAKS camp
- Wednesday TAKS camp
- After school tutorial program
- TAKS academies for students and parents
- Implemented Sharon Wells Math Program school-wide
- Improved data integrity
- Principal, ESL and PEIMS Coordinators meet
regularly - Track targeted students accordingly
- Made K 2nd classrooms more conducive to learning
16Address ESL and Other DeficienciesPersonnel
- Restructured educational staff
- Reduced teaching assistant positions
- Hired intervention teachers
- Reading
- Math
- ESL Math (TARGETED GROUP)
- Reassigned teachers based on strengths and
certification - Established assessments positions
- Reading and Math Coaches
- Curriculum Coordinator to assist with benchmarks
- Curriculum Director to oversee special programs
- Asst. Superintendent of Education
- Required ESL certification
- K 4th teachers
- 5th 8th ELA and/or other core teachers
- Principal assigned to LPAC for better data
accountability
17Address ESL and Other DeficienciesResources
- Allocated funds to address needs assessments
- Upgraded science lab
- Created virtual library
- Established media center
- Purchased additional computers, supplies and
instructional materials - Upgraded Open Court
- Implemented Success Maker and Step-up to TAKS
18Keys to Success
- Results-driven committees
- Focused needs assessments
- Executable improvement plans
- Effective implementation
19Questions?
20New Frontiers Charter School Contacts
- Alfredo Segura Jr., CEO
- asegura_at_newfrontierscharter.org
- Ernest Moreno, Asst. Superintendent
- emorno_at_newfrontierscharter.org
- Melissa Mullen, Director of Special Program
- mmullen_at_newfrontierscharter.org
- Krista Nail, Reading Coach
- knail_at_newfrontierscharter.org
- School website www.newfrontierscharter.org
21New Frontiers Charter School 4018 South Presa
San Antonio, TX 78223 210.533.3655 210.533.5077
fax www.newfrontierscharter.org