April 12, 2012 Board Meeting
4:30 p.m. Closed Session
6:30 p.m. Open Session
Agenda Items
9.0 STRATEGIC PLAN AND OTHER INITIATIVES
9.1 Charter School Renewal Petition – Sacramento New Technology High School
Sacramento Charter High School Powerpoint Presentation
9.3 Public Hearing and Action on Charter School Renewal Petition – St. Hope Public Schools – PS7
9.4 Public Hearing and Action on Charter School Renewal Petition – The Met Sacramento High School
The Met Powerpoint Presentation
10.0 CONSENT AGENDA
10.1b Approve Personnel Transactions
11.0 BUSINESS AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION /
REPORTS
11.1 Business and Financial Report:
- Purchase Order Board Report for the Period of February 15, 2012 through March 14, 2012
- Report on Contracts within the Expenditure Limitations Specified in Section PCC 20111 for the Period of January 1, 2012 through February 29, 2012
- Enrollment and Attendance Report for Month 6 Ending February 24, 2012
Video Archive
Contact the Board of Education Office at (916) 643-9314.
Response to Public Questions
1. Can the district form a group of mural artists to maintain our murals Ideas for more parent and community input at board meetings?
Response: Yes, staff will reach out to the individuals who may want to come together to discuss ways in which the District can preserve our murals. Staff will reconnect with Nancy Garcia and begin to work on an outreach plan to engage other artists who have similar concerns. We will convene the group to address what the District and artists can do to help preserve our murals.
2. Are schools underachieving in our district and why? How do we do a holistic approach to quality education for our kids?
Response: Unfortunately, SCUSD has 52 schools in Program Improvement this year, which means that those sites did not meet federal targets for one or more demographic subgroups. The district is working with staff to improve instruction through several initiatives such as the Superintendent’s Priority Schools, the introduction of Balanced Literacy, Inclusive Practices work for Special Education students, and Gradual Release Method Literacy for English Language Learners. In addition, we are implementing more rigorous Common Core Standards and focusing on the continual improvement of teaching and learning through our School Quality Review (SQR) and Data Inquiry processes. In addition, the District is working to address the social and emotional needs of children through initiatives such as Positive Behavior Intervention Supports (PBIS) and our Collaborative for Academic, Social and Emotional Learning (CASEL) initiative.
As a result of our focus on preparing students for college and career, the percentage of students attending college is steadily increasing. In 2005, 54 percent of our students attended college immediately after high school. This past fall, 65 percent of our seniors transitioned immediately to college. This increase is in spite of an incredible reduction in available sections at our local community colleges. Although there was a dip in college enrollment between fall of 2009 and 2010, with increased counseling and preparation we increased this rate by 6 percent last year. Our enrollment rate in four year institutions is the highest it has been in the seven years of National Clearinghouse data accumulated – last year SCUSD enrollment in four year institutions immediately after high school grew from 21 percent (2010) to 27 percent (2011).
The data for students who enroll in college within two years after high school is also encouraging. Sixty-seven percent of the class of 2005 enrolled within two years after high school; 84 percent of the class of 2009 entered college within two years. This is real progress.
In addition, the district is expanding its Linked Learning pathways program in response to increased competition for spots in high quality academic and technical post-secondary programs that prepare students for high-demand jobs in the emerging “Next Economy.”
Linked Learning pathways provide:
- A college preparatory academic education integrated with technical concepts and skills through project based learning
- A demanding technical course sequence
- Work-based learning (time with industry professionals from the pathway’s industry focus)
- Wrap-around student supports including a commitment from the faculty and support staff that every adult is responsible for all students in the pathway.
Students find a high degree of relevance in their Linked Learning studies. They have spoken publicly several times to the SCUSD Board about the quality of education with respect to future careers primarily and the post-secondary rigor necessary to secure those careers.
We have grown our Linked Learning Pathways from four in fall of 2009 to 21 by the fall of 2012. Our goal is to have 50 percent of our high school students in pathways by the fall of 2015. These are relevant, real-world environments that truly prepare students for college and career.
The district is also piloting a program to assist our at-risk male population. The Men’s Leadership Academy is now at three of our high schools (American Legion, C.K. McClatchy and John F. Kennedy). The Men’s Leadership Academy offers a class during the school day for male students who have displayed potential risk factors for dropping out of school, such as low attendance, low academic performance and high suspension rates. After an early implementation phase, the program will expand to all comprehensive high schools and also be offered at middle schools. Along with the class, the Men’s Leadership Academy will offer the students various cultural, social, college and career experiences. Students will also have service learning opportunities such as mentoring younger students and participating in multicultural projects, to better connect themselves to the school and the community. Each school will have multiple teachers, a counselor, and administrative staff all involved in helping those students become future graduates and prepared to succeed in college.
3. Is New Tech on the graduation criteria team?
Response: Yes, the principal is on the High School Graduation Task Force.
4. Can we do an electronic public comment?
Response: Staff is looking into this option to better understand technology, operational and the associated costs with this idea. It should be noted that a popular new function of the district’s revamped website is that it allows community members to submit comments or questions to district staff or Board members at any time.