1. Edward G. Rendell, Governor ▪ Dr. Gerald L. Zahorchak, Secretary of Education ▪ www.pde.state.pa.us School Improvement By Design School Improvement 101 September 23, 2008 Dr. Gerald L. Zahorchak Secretary of Education Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

2. Edward G. Rendell, Governor ▪ Dr. Gerald L. Zahorchak, Secretary of Education ▪ www.pde.state.pa.us School Improvement By Design2 I. History of school improvement –From empowerment and takeovers to –Systems of support

3. Edward G. Rendell, Governor ▪ Dr. Gerald L. Zahorchak, Secretary of Education ▪ www.pde.state.pa.us School Improvement By Design Targeted Assistance: PDE provides customized, direct assistance (DE’s) Pennsylvania’s Statewide System of Targeted Assistance Field-Based Assistance: Intermediate Units (IU’s) and PaTTAN orchestrate regional support Foundation Assistance: PDE leads design and rollout of strategies, tools, and programs used to build capacity across the state (Via the PPDN and other efforts)

4. Edward G. Rendell, Governor ▪ Dr. Gerald L. Zahorchak, Secretary of Education ▪ www.pde.state.pa.us School Improvement By Design

5. Edward G. Rendell, Governor ▪ Dr. Gerald L. Zahorchak, Secretary of Education ▪ www.pde.state.pa.us School Improvement By Design What Works Clearinghouse Best Evidence NCLB/AYP Targets PSSA (eMetric) PVAAS 4Sight Assessments Benchmark Assessments Perceptual/ Demographic Data 10 Foundational Guiding Questions around SAS

6. Edward G. Rendell, Governor ▪ Dr. Gerald L. Zahorchak, Secretary of Education ▪ www.pde.state.pa.us School Improvement By Design Clear Standards Fair Assessments Curriculum Framework Instruction Materials & Resources Interventions Student Achievement

7. Edward G. Rendell, Governor ▪ Dr. Gerald L. Zahorchak, Secretary of Education ▪ www.pde.state.pa.us School Improvement By Design Level I: Formative Assessments (ongoing, classroom) Level II: 5 Snapshots (periodic, district and/or building wide) Level III: Summative Assessments (annual, statewide) Classroom District/School PA

8. Edward G. Rendell, Governor ▪ Dr. Gerald L. Zahorchak, Secretary of Education ▪ www.pde.state.pa.us School Improvement By Design8 III. Results

9. Edward G. Rendell, Governor ▪ Dr. Gerald L. Zahorchak, Secretary of Education ▪ www.pde.state.pa.us School Improvement By Design The percent of students on grade level in grades 5, 8 and 11 has grown from 55% to 71% from 2001-02 to 2007-08 Pennsylvania’s progress in moving students to proficiency is especially impressive since independent experts find that the PSSA is one of the most rigorous assessments in the nation Student achievement is on the rise for all grades, all subjects and all groups 9

10. Edward G. Rendell, Governor ▪ Dr. Gerald L. Zahorchak, Secretary of Education ▪ www.pde.state.pa.us School Improvement By Design Improvement in historically low-achieving school districts is driving the state’s progress 479 school districts have a majority of students on grade level compared to 375 in 2002 – an increase of nearly 30% 72 districts have increased the proportion of students on grade level by at least 40% since 2002 School districts with more than half of students on grade level 10

11. Edward G. Rendell, Governor ▪ Dr. Gerald L. Zahorchak, Secretary of Education ▪ www.pde.state.pa.us School Improvement By Design11 IV. Interesting Cases a)Philadelphia b)Chester-Upland c)Harrisburg d)Duquesne

12. Edward G. Rendell, Governor ▪ Dr. Gerald L. Zahorchak, Secretary of Education ▪ www.pde.state.pa.us School Improvement By Design