Making Sense of Data

Another look at the DSTP data for the Christina School District:

In Fall of 2006, 4th graders scored at 88.8% meeting or exceeding science standard.
Those same students were tested in the Fall of 2008 as 6th graders and scored at 66% meeting or exceeding science standards. In the course of 2 years, 22% stopped meeting/exceeding standard.

In Fall of '06, 68.3% of fourth graders met or exceeded state social studies standard. In the Fall of 08, 52.1% of those students, as sixth graders , met or exceeded the standard. That is a decrease of 16.2%

My thoughts: Clearly something is happening between fourth grade and sixth, something is not working. A double digit rise in failure rates give me great concern. Whether you like the test or not, it's what we have and we need to focus on why these students are failing to make progress and even regressing. It's time to revisit our strategic plan, because at this rate, we will never attain the goals outlined in the CSD plan.

While many are assuming the DCAS test will replace the DSTP, we cannot operate on that assumption. Nor do we know that our students will score better using the DCAS model. We need to plan now on how to move the resources into the classrooms that our teachers need to educate our students!

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UD to Continue Free Summer Classes for Educators

From the News Journal

http://www.delawareonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2009905030328

Thank yous go out to the University of Delaware who will continue to offer free classes during summer sessions for our educators.

They could've come up with a gimmick to attract attendence (such as the Buy One - Get One program to be instituted at Del State this summer) but they took the high road, knowing full well that they alone may shoulder all the costs in contrast to the state's history of picking up a portion of the tab.

UD has shown their commitment to Delaware's educators, not just in turning out teachers prepared to enter our public school system, but in carrying the burden of ensuring those teachers receive the best education possible.

Hey, UD can you help us with our gifted and talented programming, too? I'm hearing from constituents that we need to make some major headway in this area.

Thanks Again
Elizabeth

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From DOE: Supplemental Education Services. Does your child qualify?

Know Your Rights!

FAQS REGARDING FREE TUTORING OR SUPPLEMENTAL EDUCATIONAL SERVICES (SES)

BASIC INFORMATION
What are supplemental educational services?
Supplemental educational services are extra academic services offered outside the regular school day to help eligible students improve reading and math skills.

Which schools must offer free tutoring services?
Title I School Improvement schools not meeting state target goals for Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) for three or more years (two consecutive years to enter Title I School Improvement and an additional year) in the same subject (reading/language arts or math) must offer SES.

What is Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP)?
Under No Child Left Behind, each state has developed and implemented measurements for determining whether its schools and local educational agencies (LEAs) are making adequate yearly progress (AYP). AYP is an individual state's measure of progress toward the goal of 100 percent of students achieving to state academic standards in at least reading/language arts and math. It sets the minimum level of proficiency that the state, its school districts, and schools must achieve each year on annual tests and related academic indicators. Parents whose children are attending Title I (low-income) schools that do not make AYP over a period of years are given options to transfer their child to another school or obtain free tutoring (supplemental educational services). Further information on Delaware’s system is located on the Supplemental Educational Services web page under the link for Accountability.

Which students are targeted to receive SES Services?
Low Income students from Title I schools designated as not making Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) for three consecutive years.

Can students at Title I School Improvement schools transfer to another public school and receive free tutoring services?
No. When both options are available, parents may choose the transfer option or free tutoring services, but not both.

How do parents get free tutoring services for their children?
Each year, school districts must notify parents of eligible students that free tutoring services are available, identify state-approved area providers, and describe providers' services. Parents respond, within the timeline outlined in the notice, as to whether they are interested in receiving services for their child and indicate a service provider, if a choice is available.

What if parents of eligible students do not want supplemental educational services for their children?
Parents may waive the right for their child to receive services. In this case, parents may be asked to sign a waiver form stating that they decline the services on behalf of their child.

Want More Information? http://www.doe.k12.de.us/infosuites/staff/si/files/sesfaqs.doc

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