Transcript Tuscaloosa County Schools District Accreditation Process

AdvancED
District Accreditation
Standards Assessment Report
TUSCALOOSA COUNTY SCHOOLS
Where Students Learn, Grow, and Achieve
Tuscaloosa County Schools
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18 Elementary Schools
8 Middle Schools
6 High Schools
1 Regional Education Center
11 Title I Schools
18,000 Students
45% Free/Reduced Lunch
68% White
32 % Non-White
2,053 Employees
Ninth Largest in State
Revenue
$0.60
$0.50
$0.40
$0.30
$0.20
$0.10
$0.00
State
Local
Federal
Other
Expenditures
$0.60
$0.50
Instructional
$0.40
Support
Auxiliary
$0.30
Debt
Operations
$0.20
Administrative
Other
$0.10
$0.00
Major Trends Impacting System
 The Lighthouse Project
 Adopt-A-School Program
 Alabama Reading Initiative
 Alabama Math, Science, and Technology Initiative
 Aspiring Administrators’ Academy
 Holt Community Partnership
 Career Technical Education
 Growth Patterns/New Schools
 Technology Improvements
Strengths
 Leadership
 Teacher Quality
 Stakeholder Collaboration
 Challenging Curriculum
 Recruitment
 Community Partnerships
 Continuous Improvement Process
Needs
 Financial Stability
 Continued Improvement in Special Education
 Continued Progress in Reading and Math
 Increase Graduation Rate
Benefits of TCSS
District Accreditation
 Common language of school improvement
 Continuity and collaboration
 Validation and recognition for improvement
efforts
 System-wide approach to achieving results
 Alignment and coordination of all schools in
the district
 Internationally recognized mark of quality
A School System not a System of Schools
School Vision,
Mission, Beliefs
District Vision,
Mission, Beliefs
District
Improvement
Plan
School
Improvement
Plan
Process
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Submitted Letter of Interest
Hosted Readiness Visit
Submitted letter of commitment
Approved for Candidacy
Standards Training
Established District Leadership Team
Established Standards’ Teams
New Vision, Mission, Beliefs
Collected Evidence and Evaluated Standards
Completed SAR
Host QAR team
TCSS Standards’ Team Leaders
1. Vision and Purpose/District Facilitator: Dr. Kathy Hilliker
2. Governance and Leadership: Dr. Steve Benson
3. Teaching and Learning/District Facilitator: Mrs. Amanda Cassity
4. Documenting and Using Results: Mrs. Andrea Hamner and
Mrs. Gwen Harper
5. Resources and Support Systems: Mr. Pat Conner and
Mrs. Ruth Graves
6. Stakeholder Communications and Relationships:
Mr. John Merrill
7. Commitment to Continuous Improvement: Dr. Barbara Spencer and
Mrs. Pat Johnson
Hospitality: Ms. Connie Clements
Standard 1: Vision & Purpose
The district establishes and communicates a
shared purpose and direction for improving the
performance of students and the effectiveness
of the district.
Indicators
1.1
1.2
1.3
Establishes a vision and purpose for the system in collaboration with its
stakeholders
Communicates the system’s vision and purpose to build stakeholder
understanding and support
Highly Functional
Operational
Emerging
Not Evident
INDICATORS
In fulfillment of this standard, the system:
X
X
Identifies system-wide goals and measures to advance the vision
X
1.4
1.5
1.6
Develops and continuously maintains a profile of the system, its students, and
the community
Ensures that the system’s vision and purpose guide the teaching and learning
process and the strategic direction of schools, departments, and services
Reviews its vision and purpose systematically and revises them when
appropriate
X
X
X
Overall Assessment: Operational
 Surveyed stakeholders regarding instructional
beliefs
 Reviewed previous Vision, Mission, Beliefs
 Created new Vision, Mission, Beliefs
 Continuous Improvement Plans
 The Lighthouse Project
 Parent/Student Information Guide
 State of the Schools Address
 TCSS Website
Standard 2: Governance & Leadership
The system provides governance
and leadership that promote student
performance and system effectiveness.
2.2
2.3
2.4
2.5
2.6
2.7
2.8
2.9
2.10
2.11
2.12
2.13
Recognizes and preserves the executive, administrative, and leadership
authority of the administrative head of the system
Ensures compliance with applicable local, state, and federal laws,
standards, and regulations
Implements policies and procedures that provide for the orientation and
training of the governing board
Builds public support, secures sufficient resources, and acts as a steward of
the system’s resources
Maintains access to legal counsel to advise or obtain information about legal
requirements and obligations
Maintains adequate insurance or equivalent resources to protect its financial
stability and administrative operations
Provides for systematic analysis and review of student performance and
school and system effectiveness
Creates and supports collaborative networks of stakeholders to support
system programs
Provides direction, assistance, and resources to align, support, and enhance
all parts of the system in meeting organizational and student performance
goals
Provides internal and external stakeholders meaningful roles in the decisionmaking process that promote a culture of participation, responsibility, and
ownership
Assesses and addresses community expectations and stakeholder
satisfaction
Implements an evaluation system that provides for the professional growth
of all personnel
Highly
Functional
Operational
Emerging
INDICATORS
In fulfillment of this standard, the system operates under the jurisdiction of a
governing authority that:
2.1
Establishes and communicates policies and procedures that provide for the
effective operation of the system
Not
Evident
Indicators
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Overall Assessment: Operational
 Establishment of Policies and Procedures
 Communication of Policies
 Implementation of Policies
 Data Collection: State Tools
 Data Collection: System Tools
 Data Analysis
 District Decision-Making
 Equity
Standard 3: Teaching & Learning
The system provides researched-based
curriculum and instructional methods
that facilitate achievement for all students.
3.1
Develops, articulates, and coordinates curriculum based on clearlydefined expectations for student learning, including essential knowledge
and skills
3.2
Establishes expectations and supports student engagement in the learning
process, including opportunities for students to explore application of
higher order thinking skills and investigate new approaches to applying
their learning
Ensures that system-wide curricular and instructional decisions are based
on data and research at all levels
Supports instruction that is research-based and reflective of best practice
3.3
3.4
3.5
3.6
3.7
3.8
3.9
3.10
3.11
Supports a curriculum that challenges and meets the needs of each
student, reflects a commitment to equity, and demonstrates an
appreciation of diversity
Allocates and protects instructional time to support student learning
Maintains articulation among and between all levels of schooling to monitor
student performance and ensure readiness for future schooling or
employment
Supports the implementation of interventions to help students meet
expectations for student learning
Maintains a system-wide climate that supports student learning
Highly
Functional
Operational
Emerging
INDICATORS
In fulfillment of this standard, the system:
Not
Evident
Indicators
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Ensures that curriculum is reviewed and revised at regular intervals
X
Coordinates and ensures ready access to instructional technology,
information and media services, and materials needed for effective
instruction
X
Overall Assessment: Operational
 Alignment and Articulation of Curriculum,
Instructional Strategies, and Assessments
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Alabama Course of Study
System pacing guides and curriculum maps
Variety of assessments
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Summative and formative
Local, state, national levels
Data Meetings
 Research-based Instructional Strategies,
Innovative Activities
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The Lighthouse Project
Response to Instruction/Problem-solving
Teams
Strategic Teaching/Alabama Reading Initiative
Continuous Improvement Plans
UA/UWA Inservice Center
PD for Administrators
 Support and Implementation of Expectations
for Student Learning
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PD Systemwide, State, and School
Teacher Mentors
Horizontal and vertical teaming
TCSS Literary Framework
AMSTI, ASIM, ARI
Collaboration with UA
Aspiring Administrators Academy
 Access to Comprehensive Information,
Instructional Technology, and Media Services
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Guidance services
Career Technical programs
Programs for At-Risk students
Technology
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STI Home; School Messenger; ACCESS, New
Century, extensive network
Alabama Course of Study Tech standards
ESL Program
Standard 4: Documenting & Using
Results
The system effects a comprehensive
assessment program that monitors and
documents performance and uses these results
to improve student performance and school
effectiveness.
4.1
4.2
4.3
4.4
4.5
Operational
Emerging
Not Evident
INDICATORS
In fulfillment of this standard, the system:
Establishes and implements a comprehensive assessment system, aligned with the system’s
expectations for student learning, that yields information which is reliable, valid, and bias free
X
Ensures that student assessment data are used to make decisions for continuous improvement of
teaching and learning
Conducts a systematic analysis of instructional and organizational effectiveness, including support
systems, and uses the results to improve student and system performance
X
X
Provides a system of communication which uses a variety of methods to report student
performance and system effectiveness to all stakeholders
Uses comparison and trend data from comparable school systems to evaluate student
performance and system effectiveness
4.6
Demonstrates verifiable growth in student performance that is supported by multiple sources of
evidence
4.7
Maintains a secure, accurate, and complete student record system in accordance with state and
federal regulations
Highly Functional
Indicators
X
X
X
X
Overall Assessment: Highly
Functional
 Assessment system is used to guide analysis
of changes in student performance
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State summative assessments
Formative assessments
Instructional tools
Evaluative tools
 Test results are analyzed and communicated
in a timely, relevant manner in order to aid
the performance of individual students
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Results are shared with the system, schools,
and stakeholders
 Data is used to understand and improve
overall effectiveness of the school system
and its schools
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System performance
School performance
Class performance
Individual student performance
Continuous Improvement Plans
Response to Instruction
 The system and schools are trained to
understand and use data to impact teaching
and learning in the classroom
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Alabama Reading Initiative
Alabama Math Science Technology Initiative
Strategic teaching training
Monthly principals’ meeting
Grade level meeting
State department webinars
Standard 5: Resource & Support
Systems
The system has the resources and services
necessary to support its vision and purpose and
to ensure achievement for all students.
Indicators
INDICATORS
In fulfillment of this standard, the system:
5.1
Human Resources
Establishes and implements processes to recruit, employ, retain, and mentor qualified professional and support staff to
fulfill assigned roles and responsibilities
X
5.2
Establishes and implements a process to assign professional and support staff based on system needs and staff
qualifications as may be required by federal and state law and regulations (i.e., professional preparation, ability,
knowledge, and experience)
X
5.3
Establishes and implements a process to design, evaluate, and improve professional development and ensures
participation by all faculty and staff
Ensures that staff are sufficient in number to meet the vision and purpose of the school system and to meet federal and
state law and regulations, if applicable
X
5.4
X
Financial Resources
5.5
Engages in long-range budgetary planning and annually budgets sufficient resources to support its educational
programs and to implement its plans for improvement
5.6
Ensures that all financial transactions are safeguarded through proper budgetary procedures and audited accounting
measures
Physical Resources
5.7
5.8
5.9
5.10
X
X
Maintains sites, facilities, services, and equipment to provide a safe, orderly, and healthy environment
X
Establishes and implements written security and crisis management plans with appropriate training for stakeholders
X
Implements processes and plans for maintaining and improving sites, facilities, and equipment
X
Provides technology infrastructure and equipment that is up-to-date and sufficient to accomplish the system’s goals
X
Support Systems
5.11
Provides and coordinates support services that meet the health, counseling, nutrition, safety, co-curricular,
transportation, and special learning needs of all students
X
5.12
Provides student support services coordinated with the school, home, and community
X
Overall Assessment: Operational
 Human Resources
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Maintains, employs, and mentors qualified
professional and support staff adhering to all
federal and state regulations
Placement of professional and support staff
based on system needs and qualifications
Provides professional development to all
faculty and staff
Staff is sufficient to meet the vision and
purpose of the school system
 Financial Resources
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Provides long range budgetary planning and
annually budgets sufficient resources to
support programs and plans for improvement
Provides financial safeguards and auditing
 Physical Resources
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Provides a safe, orderly, healthy environment at all
facilities
Implements written security and crisis management
plans
Provides appropriate maintenance of facilities
Provides an up to date technology infrastructure and
equipment to meet system needs
Meets the health, counseling, nutrition, safety, cocurricular, and transportation needs of students
through support services
Coordinates student support services with school,
home, and community
Standard 6: Stakeholder
Communications & Relationships
The system fosters communications and
relationships with and among its stakeholders.
Highly Functional
Operational
Emerging
INDICATORS
In fulfillment of this standard, the system:
Not Evident
Indicators
6.1
Fosters collaboration with community stakeholders to support student
learning
6.2
Uses system-wide strategies to listen to and communicate with stakeholders
X
6.3
Solicits the knowledge and skills of stakeholders to enhance the work of the
system
X
6.4
Communicates the expectations for student learning and goals for
improvement to all stakeholders
X
6.5
Provides information that is meaningful and useful to stakeholders
X
X
Overall Assessment: Operational
 Collaboration with Stakeholders: Media,
Adopt-A-School, Chamber of Commerce,
The University of Alabama, Stillman College,
Shelton State College, ACER, Parent
Leadership Academy, Tuscaloosa’s One
Place, SAC
 Communication: School Messenger, TCSS
Website, School Websites, State of the
Schools Address, System Newsletter, Media
Standard 7: Commitment to
Continuous Improvement
The system establishes, implements, and
monitors a continuous process of improvement
that focuses on student achievement.
7.1
Engages in a continuous process of improvement that articulates the vision and purpose the
system is pursuing (Vision); maintains a rich and current description of students, their
performance, system effectiveness, and the community (Profile); employs goals and
interventions to improve student performance (Plan); and documents and uses the results to
inform future improvement efforts (Results)
X
7.2
Engages stakeholders in the processes of continuous improvement
7.3
Ensures that each school’s plan for continuous improvement is aligned with the system’s
vision and expectations for student learning
X
X
7.4
Ensures that each school’s plan for continuous improvement includes a focus on increasing
learning for all students and closing gaps between current and expected student performance
levels
7.5
Provides research-based professional development for system and school personnel to help
them achieve improvement goals
X
7.6
Monitors and communicates the results of improvement efforts to stakeholders
7.7
Evaluates and documents the effectiveness and impact of its continuous process of
improvement
Allocates and protects time for planning and engaging in continuous improvement efforts
system-wide
X
X
7.8
7.9
Provides direction and assistance to its schools and operational units to support their
continuous improvement efforts
Highly
Functional
Operational
Emerging
INDICATORS
In fulfillment of this standard, the system:
Not
Evident
Indicators
X
X
X
Overall Assessment: Operational
 Process for Continuous Improvement
 Collaborative, ongoing self-analysis
 Utilization of all data sources
 System wide teams for advancing common
curricula, common assessments and
leadership training
 Goals aligned with vision and purpose
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Engagement of stakeholders
Focus on student learning
Data analysis
 Professional Development and Technical
Assistance
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Research-based learning opportunities
CIP reflections
Administrative surveys
New Teacher Training
UA/UWA In-service Center
Professional Learning Communities
 Implementation, Monitoring, and
Communication of Improvement Plan
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Cluster meetings
Website postings
Advisory councils
Community communication, participation, and
engagement
Quality Assurance Methods
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The Lighthouse Project
Continuous Improvement Plans/Reviews
District Improvement Plan
System Title I Plan
ARI/AMSTI Partnerships
Professional Development
Technology
District Leadership Team
Stakeholder Communication
Themes
 Improved instruction is our most important
goal.
 Communication is found across the system
and in the community.
 Community support emerged across the
standards.
 Lack of financial resources must not lower
expectations for instruction and student
achievement.
Insights
 Curriculum and instruction must be the
system’s focus regardless of financial status
 Continue to reflect and evaluate system’s
strengths and challenges
 Identify global goals for the system and
update the strategic plan based on the
District Accreditation self-assessment and
The Lighthouse Project