Welcome to today’s Webinar: Tier III Schools in Improvement We will begin at 9:00 AM

Webinar for Tier III Schools in Improvement Russ Sweet, Education Specialist October 1, 2010

Topics Today  Calendar for  Guidelines for developing and revising a School Improvement Plan  Application for Title I-A School Improvement funds  Budget Information  ODE Monitoring of Schools in Improvement  Other Useful Information pertaining to School Improvement

Calendar for

Dates to Remember  Notify the Oregon Department of Education regarding participation in the Title I-A School Improvement grant program.  Initial funds released to Districts for Schools in early October.  Assurances will be due to ODE October 15,  New or revised School Improvement Plan and Application due to ODE January 21,  Remaining funds released to Districts for Schools in Improvement upon receipt and approval of the plan and application (early February).

Annual Report  The Annual Report will be due Nov. 5, The report is required of schools who were in improvement during the school year.  ODE will contact schools that exited school improvement for the school year to discuss completion of the report.

Assurances  Three Sets of Assurances:  General Assurances to the Oregon Department of Education  Title I-A School Improvement Notification of Parents  Use of Title I-A School Improvement funds  Due to the Oregon Department of Education October 15, 2010.

Overview of the Application Process: The application consists of two parts  School Improvement Plan  A template is included in the application (pp )  Alternate planning systems may be used as long as the components are included  Application and Budget  Alignment with the District plan  Professional development  Parent and Family Involvement  Monitoring and evaluation of the plan by the school and district  Budget

Completing the School Improvement Plan

School Improvement Planning Guidance  ODE requires submission of a Two-Year plan for schools in improvement.  Deep planning (using the process outlined in the application) should happen every other year.  During the “off years,” the school leadership team should only make revisions.  A summary of the revisions, rationale for the revisions and an updated budget should be submitted to ODE as an addendum to the plan already submitted. Districts will need to review and approve revisions prior to submission to ODE.

Building Readiness  Engage all stakeholders in active school improvement efforts. Active school improvement means:  All stakeholders (teachers, district administrators, school administrators, para-educators, parents, community members and even students) have a responsibility to participate in, learn about and lead the school improvement effort.  Parental Involvement  Engage parents in addition to the Site Council.  Engage parents in multiple languages.  Engage parents every step along the way.

Collect and Analyze Data  Review both formative and summative data in determining next steps.  Describe the issues that placed the school in Title I-A School Improvement Status.  Evaluate the progress toward previous goals in the School Improvement Plan.  Summarize the findings of a review of data in order to assess the strengths and weaknesses of the school program.

Setting Measurable Goals  Goals should be specific, measurable, attainable, realistic and time bound (SMART). Example: By: (time) we will improve the performance of (target group/grade) students at/in (School/District) to (performance level) in (subject area) as evidenced by (date and name of assessment measures). Additionally, we will narrow the gap between (student group) and (student group) by (target amount).

Research-based Practices  It is important to keep focused on learning about the program or practice most effective in meeting the intended goals selected to increase student achievement.  Provide a clear link between strategies and research.

Action Plans and Responsibility  Template provided in grant application.  When the school improvement plan is reviewed, reviewers will need to see clear connections between what the data indicates and what actions are being taken.  Evidence of Implementation and Impact is critical to approval.

Application, Assurances and Budget Section

This Section addresses:  Alignment with the District plan  Professional development  Parent and Family Involvement  On-going Improvement plan review and Technical Assistance  Budget

Alignment with District Plan  Describe how the school improvement plan aligns with the district’s Continuous Improvement Plan.  How will the Title I-A School Improvement efforts supplement on-going strategies already in place?

High Quality Professional Development  School Improvement funds may be used for professional development, however, the school is required to set aside 10% of its building allocation for the purpose of providing high quality professional development.  The application will need to address how these funds will be used.  If this information is included in the Action Plan, all that is necessary here is to reference where in the Action Plan the information is located.

Parent and Family Involvement  Describe key strategies planned to increase meaningful parental involvement that:  Enhance home-school partnerships.  Provide parents with resources to support their child’s academic achievement.  Engage parents to become active in the school community.

Plan Review and Technical Assistance  Describe the process the school and district will use to annually review the school improvement plan to ensure progress is being made.  Describe the technical assistance that has been and will be provided to the school to support it in moving out of school improvement.

Budget

General Reminders  Whether operating a School-wide or Targeted Assistance Title I Program, Title 1 School Improvement funds are for all students and teachers.  Identify what is already in place and build on the strengths.  Describe how school improvement funds will be used to support the activities in the plan.  Plan for building systemic changes that will sustain improved academic achievment.

Funding  Less funding available for schools this year due to the redeployment of SIG (1003-G) resources.  Each school will receive a base grant.  Additional funds will be allocated to each school based student count.

Fiscal Requirements  Allowable Expenditures under Title 1 School Improvement:  These funds are supplemental.  Priority must be to address the area(s) that identified the school for improvement (e.g., Reading and/or Math).  Professional development for all teachers.  Extended learning opportunities for students.

Budget Submission  Funding Sources  What sources of funds does the school receive and what is the estimated amount of these various funds?  Budget Narrative  How all funds coming to the school will assist in supporting the school improvement plan?  Budget Summary  Provide a breakdown by funding source and function.

ODE Monitoring of Schools in Improvement

Monitoring and Technical Assistance  The Oregon Department of Education’s goal is to provide support to move the school out of School Improvement.  ODE has a statewide system of support that includes, school and district coaching, regional support and statewide support.

How will ODE monitor?  We will conduct a compliance review of school improvement plans.  We will be reviewing regular reports from Education Northwest.  We will review progress reports Fall  We may conduct an on-site monitoring of a school in improvement, however prior notification will be made well in advance.

Districts slated for on-site monitoring during the school year that include schools in improvement  Astoria SD (Jan McCoy, Lead)  Hillsboro SD (Bev Pratt, Lead)  Klamath Falls City SD (Carla Wade, Lead)  Portland Public Schools (Bev Pratt, Lead)  Reynolds SD (Janet Bubl, Lead)  Salem-Keizer SD (Carla Wade, Lead)  Warrenton-Hammond SD (Jan McCoy, Lead)

Other Useful Information

ODE Contact Information Russ Sweet, Education Specialist (503) Denny Nkemontoh, Education Specialist (503) Phyllis Gander, Support (503)

Thank You