Minnesota Transitions Charter School District 4017 2872 26th Ave S. Minneapolis, MN 55406 Grades K-12 Title One School-wide Plan 2014-2015 1. Comprehensive Needs Assessment A. We have developed our school-wide plan with the participation of individuals who will carry out the comprehensive school-wide/school improvement program plan. Those persons involved included teachers, academic coaches, specialist teachers and special education teachers, school counselors, our media specialist, district personnel and school administrators. This is our School Improvement Leadership Team. The work of this group is ongoing throughout the school year. They review student achievement data, school improvement survey data, student service models and parental involvement activities to determine areas of strength and areas for growth. This group makes decisions about school wide initiatives and represents the interests of their team members and students in the team discussions and decisions. B. We have used the following instruments, procedures, or processes to obtain this information. As a group we review student achievement data throughout the school year to determine the effectiveness of our instructional practices. Specifically we analyzed data from the following instruments in the following ways: a. Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment (MCA) – Results of the MCA are analyzed by content area and standards assessed. Each grade level reviews their results and provides feedback about areas of strength and weakness, including specific areas where teachers believe additional training and resources are needed. 2013 results of the MCA show 45.5% of students meeting/exceeding in Reading, and 55.4% meeting/exceeding in Math, and 39% meeting/exceeding in Science, It is clear from these results that our students struggled with all three areas again this year. We also saw a slight decline in Reading and math scores. b. 1st and 2nd Grade students are assessed using Mondo, QRI Reading Assessments and grade level assessments in math as with all of our assessments, teachers analyze data to determine strengths and weaknesses of students and instruction. The Reading assessments show a weakness in 1 fluency and comprehension for students at all grade levels. Our math assessments demonstrate a weakness in fact fluency and logical thinking. In all subject areas students will be expected to express their thinking through writing and constructed response. We see a strong need for continued intensive instruction in writing c. Kindergarten student achievement is measured using the Mondo skills assessments and teachers input data about student progress during specific reporting periods throughout the school year. d. Grades 2 - 11 students’ progress and academic growth is monitored throughout the year using the Northwest Evaluation Assessment (NWEA) Measures in Academic Progress (MAP) and Optional Local Assessment (OLPA) in both Reading and Math. District Goals for 2014: Reading: All Minnesota Transitions Charter School Students who have enrolled by October 1st, 2014 will increase their proficiency scores in reading for 45% to 55.4% as measured by the 2015 Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments. Math: All Minnesota Transitions Charter School Students who have enrolled by October 1st. 2014 will increase their proficiency scores in math from 55.4% to 65.4% as measured by the 2015 Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments. C. We serve homeless, neglected, and/or migrant students. These students are protected by federal laws and are welcomed into our school. They are provided the same high quality instruction as all other MTS Students. We have taken into account the needs of homeless, neglected and migrant children by providing a research based school-wide instructional program proven to be effective with children from high poverty. Our school is very transient making it essential that we provide a welcoming, safe environment for all students. We provide after school assistance with homework and after school tutoring and clubs to help students feel successful. All students are provided with these opportunities. When a child is identified as migrant or homeless, our staff makes extra efforts to provide essential resources for the family including food, clothing and tutoring. Pertinent data was collected, which qualify for Title One services. ● MCA, MAPS and unit test scores ● Mondo Skills, Reading records and QRI ● Curriculum based measurements ● Number of suspensions ● Attendance 2 ● ● ● ● ● ● Student surveys Staff turnover Classroom management Parent participation – attendance of conferences, parents nights etc Number of students who qualify for free and reduced lunch Number of students needing ESL services The team met and analyzed the data, prioritized the needs of the students and set goals to meet for the school year 2014-2015. Goals developed include: ● Increase the number of students meeting and exceeding standards in Reading. Currently 45.4% Meet standards/exceed on the MCA Reading Assessment. In Math, 55.4% meet standards/exceed on the MCA Math Assessment. ● Increase parent participation ● Decrease the achievement gap between Caucasian students and students of color ● Increase the academic vocabulary for all students Minnesota Transitions Charter District Demographics 2015 MTCS district includes 7 sites: MTCS Elementary, K-5, Banaadir Academy, K-8, MTS Middle School, 6-8, MTS High School, 9-12, MTS Virtual High School, 6-12, Connections Academy, K-12, and PEASE Academy, 8-12. MTCS Elementary, MTS Middle, and MTC High School serve a large population of low income families who tend to be transient. These three seat based programs has seen a influx of Hispanic families coming to our schools 2014-2015. This has made it very important to ensure that our students’ needs are met with the title 1 funding. All of these sites need a title 1 teacher(s) for both math and reading. The data show us that the students that arrive at our school doors a significantly behind in reading, math and science and they also have many other needs as well. Homelessness is part of our students’ daily lives. Their needs for clothing, food and shelter are very real. Our data shows that we need to take care of some basic needs in order to educate our students. In order to meet the needs of our students, we will implement district wide, Read Live. This is the reading intervention that not only helps student learn how to read, it helps with comprehension, there are activities that expand on their learning that is engaging. This intervention can be done right in the classroom. The data shows us that all our students are title 1 and that indicates a different way model needs to be implemented in our systems, specifically at the elementary levels. Title 1 3 teachers are reading teachers and they need to be in the classroom with the classroom teachers, co-teaching and modeling how to get students to read. The classroom teacher knows the levels and the standards/benchmarks that students need to be at in order to consider “at grade level.” We will explore this model of teaching in our title 1 meetings this year to prepare for pushing in instead of pulling out. 4 5 6 Reading 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 Percentage of students who qualify for free and reduced from each program: Minnesota Elementary Banaadir Academy MTS Middle MTS High School PEASE MTS Virtual High School MTS Connections Academy District 95.4% 96.0% 94.9% 75.8% 31.3% 45.8% 33.8% 67.6% 15 Title I- Improving academic achievement of the disadvantaged Total allocations: 2. School-wide reform strategies that are scientifically researched based. A. Minnesota Transitions Charter School (MTS) uses School-wide reform strategies that provide opportunities for all children in the school to meet or exceed Minnesota’s proficient and advanced levels of student performance. All classrooms are standards based and utilize frequent assessments to determine students’ strengths and weaknesses. At every grade level, assessment data is used to plan instruction and develop flexible groups for instruction, differentiating 16 instruction to move all students forward. Title I funds will be used to provide professional learning for staff. Differentiated instruction is provided daily in the literacy and mathematics block using the Daily 5 structure and Math workshops. These instructional models provide opportunities for teachers to meet individually and in small groups with students. Frequent conferring with students it provides opportunities for assessment and goal setting, allowing both teacher and student to focus on individual student needs and progress. Title One Specialist, funded through Title I, and English as a Second Language Specialist (ESL), funded through Title III, provide support to all classroom teachers. These specialist collaborate with the teachers in planning, model effective instructional strategies and assist teachers in analyzing student work samples to determine next steps for instruction. The specialist also provide individual and small group researched based interventions to improve student learning. The Literacy coach, funded through Title I, provide support to all classroom teachers. Coach guides teachers in planning, model effective instructional strategies and assist teachers in analyzing student work samples to determine next steps for instruction. Coaches coordinate our student interventions, provide the training, materials and organization necessary for effective tutoring and intervention initiatives. The staff, reading specialists, literacy coach , ESL and curriculum director are committed to improve the reading scores and math scores. In grades K-5 Reading instruction will be no less than 90 minutes of uninterrupted instruction time. All classes have and will continue to implement the Daily 5 structure, which offers teachers a systematic format and another way other than guided reading (centers) to encourage independent readers. It offers a structure that helps students develop the daily habits of reading, writing and working independently that will lead to a life time of literacy independence. The Daily 5 CAFE have and will continue systematic and intensive instruction of best practice reading strategies and skills. (http://www.thedailycafe.com/public/department104.cfm). All students will be taught the components of daily five. Teachers will act as instructors, facilitators and observe each students progress using IPads to monitor students daily progress in the 5 areas which are: ● read to self 17 ● ● ● ● work on writing read to someone listen to reading word work Teachers, when meeting in their PLC's will show student progress as documented on student monitoring sheets which are kept electronically. Hecwin and Read Live will continue to be used with the tier three students to improve their phonetic skills. Training will be provided to all staff beginning in August and continuing throughout the year with the Daily 3, and Academic Language. and revisits with our current basal and other supplemental materials. MTS has as school-wide commitment to research based strategies, specifically to be aligned with the Minnesota State standards. MTS staff has developed and continue to focus on standards and what the students are learning through Curriculum Mapping and alignment. The MTS Elementary staff has spent extensive research on reading curriculum that will best fit the needs of our diverse population. MTS is committed to starting a new reading curriculum in the 20152016 school year. The staff will attend a 2015 Summer Staff Development Institute to become proficient in the delivery and instruction of the new reading curriculum. The classroom teachers will also attend the two day Daily 5/Cafe conference in August to strengthen the Literacy model at MTS Math will continue as it has for the past 3 years with using "Everyday Math" for the regular classroom, "Voyager" for supplemental curriculum used for small groups of students who assessed below grade level. Teachers will use IPads to monitor and track student progress by observing students working on their own individual areas in math. Students will also work on "Moby Max", Study Island, Raz Kids, or Voyage Math both in the areas of reading and math at least 3 times a week during their computer time. Teachers will continue to teach the "essential skills" in both reading and math. Curriculum based measurements will assess student mastery. If students do not master essential skills the teacher will reteach that particular skills. C. Use effective instructional methods that increase the quality and amount of learning time. 18 MTCS Leadership continues to modify tiered intervention program using many leveled Response to Intervention program. All students will participate in whole group instruction in both areas of math and reading K-12. Students who are not mastering the essential skills and/or behind a year or two as demonstrated through diagnostic testing will be given additional targeted instruction. If the student who has both whole group and tier two instruction is not making progress, then he/ she will be given tier three one to one instruction. At the end of the 6 weeks a team will evaluate the student’s progress and make a recommendation for future programming. Read Live, is another tiered intervention that is made available for all students in grades K-5. ESL Program, the ESL teachers “push-in” or “pull out” to provide additional instruction to qualified ESL students during reading and writing depending of the individual needs of the students. Students qualify for ESL services based on their scores on the WIDA ACCESS test. MTS New Comer Academy – MTS has started the planning process to create and implement an New Comer Academy by August 2015. Our ESL teachers provides will instruction to students with no English language experience. They provide instruction to students to develop their English language skills so that they can receive instruction in content areas as quickly as possible. Special Education Program – Our special education teachers provide services based on the specific needs outlined in each student’s IEP. Services provided at MTS include inclusion, small group and self contained programs. Interventions will take place on a timely and strategic manner as designed by Leadership staff. Student progress in mastering Essential skills ( standards) are documented on student monitoring sheets where all formative and some summative assessment is shown as a snapshot for staff to view and analyze student individual progress. All teachers use this model for the areas of reading and math. Teachers continue to develop and revise their curriculum maps. Early Intervention Program – Our Early Intervention Program (EIP) teachers “push-in” to the general education classroom or “pull out” depending on the individual student need Students are identified as EIP based on skills checklists completed in K-2 and based on their performance on the MCA for students in grades 3-5. Students performing below level qualify for additional instruction during the school day. The EIP teachers plan with the classroom teachers to provide additional instruction to students in the classroom during reading, writing, and math. 19 The ESL teachers will work in concert with the title one teachers to ensure appropriate programming for each student is carried out, reviewed and modified when necessary. After School Activities: i. After School Activities ii. Homework Hotspot (Assistance with Homework & Projects) iii. Tutoring program for both Literacy and Math iv. Basket Ball v. volleyball vi. softball vii. baseball viii. Choir viiii. Cheer-leading Inappropriate behavior is an issue at all buildings. The district has made a commitment to embrace the Love and Logic philosophy with our students and staff. Real Restitution training phase one will be offered to all staff this year. A small library of Love and Logic materials has been started for staff to check and read. The building director has made a commitment to support all teachers to establish routines before beginning the instruction. Parent participation is a challenge for our district. Plans are made to: ● Continue the parent nights at the Leadership which are highly attended ● Use Skylert to call parents about evening activities and parent- teacher conferences ● Continue to hold annual meeting for parents, staff and community members ● Provide calendar of events on MTS webpage ● Send pertinent information home with parents multiple times Welcome the parents when they come to school make sure the printed messages are translated into Arabic ● Provide parent survey in the fall and again in the spring to document our improvement of parent participation. ● Hold parent meetings each quarter for parents 20 3. Instruction by qualified staff All of our teachers are highly qualified for the content areas they teach. All of our paras meet the qualifications for highly qualified. 4. Highly quality, ongoing staff development The curriculum director is in charge of keeping a record of teacher attendance for all district trainings and offsite and certifies their attendance to staff development provided in house. Staff development is developed from the building and district needs. In house staff and outside consultants will provide the in-services in an effective and systematic way. Building directors are responsible for following up on the in-services to encourage staff to carry out the strategies learned. All teachers will trained in the SIOP model where content material is made comprehensible to English Language Learners. One of MTS’ goals is to support and educate new staff members by implementing a new teacher induction plan. All staff participates in professional learning communities each week for 60 minutes. Topics include constructed response, sustained independent practice and analyzing MAPS results and other data to provide appropriate programming for students. Real restitution will be offered this August to all staff. Training on how to implement academic language will take place throughout the year. Other trainings will be scheduled to meet the needs of staff. Daily five trainings will be offered also. 5. Strategies – attract highly qualified staff MTS is proud of its staff and is continuously working to attract highly motivated and effective staff members to its family. Staff chooses to teach at MTS because of their commitment to make a difference in a disadvantaged student’s life and believe it is an opportunity to leave a mark on a child’s life. Incentives for working at MTS include Quality Compensation and great insurance benefits. 21 6. Strategies to increase parent involvement Parent participation is a challenge for our district. Plans are made to: ● Continue the parent nights at the Leadership which are highly attended ● Use Skylert to call parents about evening activities and parent- teacher conferences ● Continue to hold annual meeting for parents, staff and community members ● Provide calendar of events on MTS webpage ● Send pertinent information home with parents multiple times ● Welcome the parents when they come to school ● Send school messages home to parents in text format ( Arabic) 7. Preschool transitions The Leadership provides an open house for parents and their children when entering kindergarten. Teachers explain to the parents the expectations and instruction that students will cover throughout the year. A list of materials needed for school is given to parents at that time. Parents and students are encouraged to visit the classroom. 8. Teachers included in assessment decisions Assessment decisions are made through the curriculum committee, which is represented by building administrators, teachers and paras. MAPS results are discussed at each building and staff is trained to interpret the information provided. Emphasis is put on more formative assessments, as the state tests are summative. Curriculum based measurements are used in all grades K-12 in the content areas of reading and math. We are beginning the process in science and social studies. Diagnostic tests in math will be used to place students in the tiered interventions. Teachers keep a log during their PLC times and their recommendations for programming etc will be addressed during staff meetings. 9. Effective, timely assistance for low achieving students A pyramid model is in place to address the needs of low achieving students. The green students will be instructed in a whole group everyday in their core areas. The students who are lagging behind ( yellow kids) will be given additional instruction up to 30 minutes each day in a small group of students with no more than 6 students. Formative assessment will be given every two weeks. If the tier two ( yellow) students ( red) are not making progress in the whole group and tier two they will be given targeted instruction one to one. Formative assessments will be given to this group every week. 22 Every 6 weeks a team will evaluate the students’ progress and make recommendations for future programming. The differentiation will be offered to students' right after the 3 weeks. Interventions will be swift, strategic and reviewed frequently for monitoring student progress. Power hour is offered to each student. The power hour takes place in the beginning of the school day and students are assigned a group where it will best serve the students. Programming will provide remediation and enrichment. 10. Coordination and integration – Federal, state and local service and programs All of the monies awarded through the title programs are seamlessly threaded together to meet the district’s goals, which in turn will improve MTCS’ students’ learning and experience and assist them into the transition of responsible adulthood. The average percentage of Leadership students who qualify for free and reduced lunches are above 95%. Many of our students are products of generational poverty and emotionally needy. The programs are intended to improve all of its students learning and experience. 23
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