School Improvement Plan: Eastern View High School

1. School Improvement Plan: Eastern View High School Culpeper, Virginia

2. Abstract Eastern View High School has seen a decline in graduation rates for minority student, students with disabilities and the economically disadvantaged. This is affiliated with the low standardized test scores also associated with the aforementioned subgroups. Attendance has also shown a decline in these subgroups and can be considered a contributor to lower test scores and graduation rates. Discipline issues plague the school causing further student absences from class. This plan is meant to improve these school issues and reinvigorate the school community.

3. Improvement Committee Members • Principal • Vice Principal • Attendance Secretary • Core Instructional Team Leaders • Elective Instructional Team Leaders • Curriculum Coordinator • Special Education Coordinator • Security Personnel

4. Summary of Data • Below average test scores for minority, student with disabilities, and economically disadvantaged students. • Below average graduation rates for minority, student with disabilities, and economically disadvantaged students. • High rates of improper or disorderly conduct • Diminishing attendance of student with disabilities and economically disadvantaged students

5. Student Scores History Science

6. Student Scores Math Scores Writing

7. Graduation Rate

8. Discipline and Attendance Records Discipline Attendance

9. Environment Scan Political Economic $67.2 Million Budget Reduction in funding over last three years. Ten schools on eight school budget Lack of raises and increasing costs “Do More with Less” • Failure to meet AYP requirements • Directly related to minority and economically disadvantage students poor performance on standardized test • First Year Improvement Plan

10. Environmental Scan Ethnic Diversity Community Norms Farming community Little change in population until 1980 Urban population attends Eastern View Little interest in vocational activities White Collar vs. Blue Collar • Population Increase • Hispanic population explosion • 2nd fastest growing Hispanic population in country • Minority Population • 25% African Am. • 9% Hispanic

11. Goals and Objectives • Objective #1-Increase standardize test scores in Math, Science, English, and History in all subgroups • Objective #2-Increase 4 Year Graduation Rate in identified subgroups • Objective #3-Decrease Discipline Issues associated with disruptive behavior • Objective #4-Increase Attendance for students with disabilities and economically disadvantaged

12. Improving Test Scores • Content Learning Continuum (CLC) • Proven literacy and comprehension strategies to increase student achievement • After School Tutoring service • Faculty volunteers • "The CLC is a tool for enabling all secondary teachers and administrators to participate in the development and evaluation of a literacy initiative that is consistent with the goals of secondary education for all students and that will dramatically improve literacy outcomes for those who are at risk of academic failure." (B.K., Ehren, & Deshler)

13. Increasing Graduation Rate • Mentorship Program • Community members from local businesses, religious organizations, and volunteer organizations work with at risk students • Partnership with CLC and Tutoring Program • Community Involvement • Research explains a youth that is "exposed to the mentoring of an adult is associated with greater educational success, in terms of both educational performance and overall educational attainment."(Erickson, McDonald, & Elder, 2009)

14. Decreasing Discipline Issues • School safety audit with security personnel • Professional development • Positive student and teacher interaction • Proactive Approach • School Community Emphasis • "The best practice related to addressing student behavior issues should be based on a clearly articulated and comprehensive behavior management policy at a system, district/community, school, and classroom level." (Hallam & Rogers, 2008)

15. Increasing Attendance • Attendance Audit • Internal review of processes • School Responsibility • Publicity and Local media • Special privileges • Newsletters and Communication • "An attendance audit can be undertaken in a variety of ways, but the more inclusive it is in terms of participants the better the quality of the information that will be collected." (Hallam & Rogers, 2008)

16. Alignment with District Mission • "Our mission is to equip and motivate all learners to maximize their potential." • “We all have a stake in every student’s journey into learning – the future well being of each of us rests upon the students attending our schools today” • “As an organization, we are always striving for improvement. All of our schools have attained accreditation from the Virginia Department of Education based on our Standards of Learning test scores – we are pleased, but not satisfied. We can do more” (Culpeper, 2012)

17. Action Steps • Obtain permission to accept grant for implementation of CLC from school district • Contact local organizations for volunteers to assist in mentoring program(YMCA, Special Olympics, Boys and Girls Clubs) • Contact local media pertaining to new school initiatives including: mentoring, attendance audit, and CLC programs • Conduct back ground checks on volunteers • Research viable Professional Development for student and teacher interaction

18. Action Steps • Contact local businesses, religious organizations, and high education institutions to gain support for the new programs • Research creative approaches to gain funds for events associated with mentor program • Obtain volunteers from the faculty to assist in tutoring service • Use school communication resources to educate families on new programs

19. Improving Test Scores Fiscal Resources Time Resources CLC is a five year commitment to implement all stages After school activities conducted from 3:30-5:00 Monday-Thursday Each subject one day a week Transportation • Limited financial contribution • Grant possibilities for implementation • Volunteers for Tutoring program • Aligns with fiscal problems of the county

20. Improving Test Scores Human Resources Material Resources Classroom with modern technology to help teachers increase understanding for students No Transportation issues • Faculty members must become leaders in CLC • Volunteers for tutoring service • Administrator to facilitate after school activities

21. Improving Graduation Rates Fiscal Resources Time Resources Organization and implementation of program After school activities Weekend activities • Advertisement for community support in the mentor program • Funding for events and fieldtrips • Background Checks for community volunteers

22. Improving Graduation Rates Human Resources Material Resources Classrooms and Forums for events and meetings Calendar of Events Newsletters and public notices to communicate the importance of the program • Community Volunteers • Guidance Department • Parents and Guardians

23. Decreasing Discipline Issues Fiscal Resources Time Resources Research associated with finding beneficial Professional Development Calendar Issues Predetermined days for professional in-service Review of safety plan • Professional Development for all staff • Understanding the financial limitations of the school system

24. Decreasing Discipline Issues Human Resources Material Resources Electronic and Print versions of the code of conduct Public events Upon request, visible, and available • School Community • All stakeholders are participates • Security Personnel

25. Increasing Attendance Fiscal Time Resources Audit is lengthy process to accumulate data Patterns in attendance Comparison to past attendance data • The internal audit represents no additional monetary contributions • Small amounts of funding will be required for newsletters and local media outlets

26. Increasing Attendance Human Resource Material Resource Phone Messaging System Accurate attendance records Newsletters and digital copies of attendance policy to be distributed to community • Improvement Team and Attendance department • Data organization • Attendance department providing data • Suggestions for improvement from faculty, staff, and students. • Adequate Support

27. Ensuring Community Involvement • Educating the community on the new programs through word of mouth, local media, and public service announcements • School events such as Open House, Sporting Events, and public meetings should be used to celebrate participants in the programs • The students need successful mentors from the community •Local business can be provided with add space for participating or contributing to the programs

28. Ensuring Community Involvement • Availability of school community for discussion and suggestions • Email and phone number contacts • Provide the community opportunities to guide the programs • Sense of ownership and importance

29. Time Line • Implementation of programs • Long term objectives • Positive benefits for the future • 5 Year Process • Attendance and Discipline • Increasing Test Scores and Graduation Rates

30. Evaluation Plans Increasing Test Scores Increase Graduation Rate Student milestones Continued Growth Curriculum Guide Questionnaire and evaluations • Virginia Standard of Learning Tests • Inactive Achievement Tests • Lexile Scores

31. Evaluation Plans Decrease Discipline Issues Increasing Attendance Formative assessments for educators regarding student attendance during already established problem periods on the calendars Daily percentages of student attendance can be produced and analzye Summative data will be provided at the conclusion of the school year • Use of documentation such as referrals • Data presented to biweekly meetings of improvement committee • Summative evaluation at conclusion of the school year

32. Expected Outcomes These new programs are expected to increase student achievement and subsequently improve test scores and graduation rates for all subgroups. Increasing the attendance rate will help ensure students are given adequate attention in order to perform well on state mandated tests. Decreasing discipline issues should also increase face time with educators and improve the ability of the teachers to effectively complete their obligations to the students. The improvement committee anticipates these programs will help secure full accreditation for Eastern View High School and remove it from the list of schools in need of improvement described under the No Child Left Behind legislation.

33. References • B.K., L., Ehren, B. J., & Deshler, D. D. (n.d.). The content literacy continuum: a school reform framework for improving adolescent literacy for all students. Informally published manuscript, The University of Kansas, Retrieved from http://framewelder.com-cache.s3.amazonaws.com/extras/10/pattan_rtii/handouts/(5) Content Literacy Continuum.pdf • Champion, A. B. (2009, May 17). Culpeper's latino population booms. Culpepr Star Exponent. Retrieved from http://www2.starexponent.com/news/2009/may/17/culpepers_latino_population_booms-ar-335966/ • Commonwealth of Virginia-compulsory attendance law. (2010). Retrieved from http://www.vbschools.com/students/conduct/compulsory_attendance_law.asp • Culpeper county public school budget. (2012). Retrieved from http://www.culpeperschools.org/division_budget.php.   • Culpeper county public schools. (2012). Retrieved from http://www.culpeperschools.org/evhs.php

34. References • Culpeper county public schools. (2012). Retrieved from http://www.culpeperschools.org/evhs.php • Erickson, L., McDonald, S., & Elder, G. (2009). Informal mentors and education: Complementary or compensatory resources?. Sociology of Education, 82(4), 344-367. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com.library.capella.edu/docview/216484135/abstract?accountid=27965 • Hallam, S., & Rodgers, L. (2008). Improving behavior and attendance at school. (p. 310). Buckingham, GBR: Open University Press. Retrieved from http://site.ebrary.com.library.capella.edu/lib/capella/docDetail.action?docID=10229876 • U.S census bureau. (2012, Janurary 31). Retrieved from http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/51/51047.html • U.S. Department of Education. Title I improving the academic achievement of the disadvantaged. (2012). Retrieved from http://www2.ed.gov/policy/elsec/leg/esea02/pg1.html

35. References • Vdoevirginia department of education. (2011). Retrieved from http://www.doe.virginia.gov/ 2011. • Virginia Department of Education School Report Card: Eastern View High School https://p1pe.doe.virginia.gov/reportcard/report.do?division=24&schoolName=6441 • Virginia Department of Education School Report Card: Culpeper County Schools https://p1pe.doe.virginia.gov/reportcard/report.do?division=24&schoolName=All