1. Which additional data did you gather to inform your thinking on the problem?
After meeting with colleagues, I came to the conclusion that my data demonstrates low academic achievements for many reasons.
- Students take the STAR the first day they are enrolled in the program.
- Students are mostly ELLs who lack knowledge in the English language. They too are illiterate in their primary language. Some do not know how to spell nor write their name.
- The reports include all students who join the program which also includes those who are terminated within 40-50 days average. It also includes students who have been in the program/school for more than two years.
- Terminations occurred for various reasons:
- Students stop coming to school
- They do not follow rules
- They have personal struggles
- The reports were created from the SIS, which does not correlate with the work side of the program. For instance, students may be terminated on a Monday, but the school does not dropped them from the SIS until the Friday of that week. At times, it takes weeks. As a consequence, this data is not accurate.
Digging Deeper to the ROOT CAUSES
After digging deeper, I analyzed a report of only students who have taken the annual CELDT in the last two years who are/were enrolled.
These are my findings:
These are my findings:
- 3 of 79 students improved in one or more areas
- 76 students scored the same in all areas
- 1 student was RFEP the first time the CELDT was taken, second year scored the same in all areas
2. After analyzing all data, what do you believe are the root causes of the problem you have identified? Comment on: organizational culture, external factors, organizational structure, student demographics, instruction and preparation, and curriculum.
Based on my findings, I highly believe that the main root cause is the business architecture. There are many gaps that need improvement and immediate attention, one of these being communication. For the three years that I have been at this site, I have noticed the lack of communication between leaders as well as between leaders and staff. At times, communication is not clear. When there is communication, not everyone is included who should be.
Another area of improvement is the culture of the organization. One can tell the culture of a school by walking the hallways, classrooms, and even when first arriving. I think of my site as a restaurant. Clients will come back if the product and service is outstanding. I believe that every staff should greet, respect, and help every individual who he/she comes across. This creates a positive culture. Students feel safe, secure, wanted, appreciative, gracious, etc.
I also think that we must modify or implement a curriculum that focus on the ELL population. Perhaps develop ELD classes; ELD I, ELD II, and ELD III.
Overall, this could lead to:
Another area of improvement is the culture of the organization. One can tell the culture of a school by walking the hallways, classrooms, and even when first arriving. I think of my site as a restaurant. Clients will come back if the product and service is outstanding. I believe that every staff should greet, respect, and help every individual who he/she comes across. This creates a positive culture. Students feel safe, secure, wanted, appreciative, gracious, etc.
I also think that we must modify or implement a curriculum that focus on the ELL population. Perhaps develop ELD classes; ELD I, ELD II, and ELD III.
Overall, this could lead to:
- A higher retention rate
- Improve CELDT, STAR, and CAHSEE statistics
- Improve ADA
3. Based on an outcome you would like to attain for the target group, write 1 goal and 2-3 objectives that support that goal. (Create a SMART goal – specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, timely.)
In the next school year, students will be enrolled in ELD level courses with a teacher that is highly qualified in teaching ELLs. This teacher will implement an ELD curriculum that meets students needs.
- Students will attend school twice per week.
- They will also attend an afternoon class on the days they are off school.
- Students will have access to a supplemental site called Study Island and/or BrainPop ESL to be used outside of school.
- Students will improve next time they take the annual CELDT.