Invest in Kids

Background

On November 1, 2017 Superintendent Jorge A. Aguilar introduced his “Invest In Kids” plan, a $4.6 million budget proposal that would invest one-time funds to expand arts, sports, summer, health and social emotional learning support programs for students. The proposal would invest in the following:

• Art instruction for all students in grades K through 6
• Elementary sports programs for boys and girls in grades 3 through 6
• Expanding summer school programs to automatically enroll students who need additional preparation to transition to elementary, middle and high school
• Expanding supports for middle and high school students to address their health and socio-emotional needs during critical formative years in their adolescence

Rationale

ART INSTRUCTION in grades k-6

The arts are critical to child development and are directly correlated with improvements in academic achievement. In recent years, schools across the United States have substantially reduced Arts programs in response to budget concerns and pressures to improve academic test scores. However, a substantial body of research demonstrates that the various forms of Arts Education including Arts integration, Arts enhancement, and Curricular Arts, can be an asset to districts and schools in achieving educational goals.  Stanford Professor Elliot Eisner, argues that a curriculum that includes music, dance, and art is essential in developing critical thinking skills because the arts teach children to make good judgments, to celebrate multiple perspectives, and that problems can have more than one solution. Similarly, Harvard’s Project Zero found that through engaging in the Arts, students learn to persist at solving problems, developing craft, reaching beyond one’s capacities, and how to embrace the opportunity to learn from mistakes. Studies find that students from low socio-economic backgrounds, English learners, and students with special needs -often underserved in public schools -show the greatest relative improvement in academic achievement when participating in the arts. Click here to learn more about advancing student success through the arts. 

sports for boys and girls in grades 3-6

Sports programs keep students engaged, and with sports available for all kids in these grades, the district will fulfill a promise to advance both equity and equality for all. Physical exercise is good for the mind, body and spirit. Team sports help teach adolescents accountability, dedication, leadership and other skills.Sports require memorization, repetition and learning — skillsets that are directly relevant to class work. Also, the determination and goal-setting skills a sport requires can be transferred to the classroom. Click here to learn more about the value of organized sports for elementary students.

Expanding Summer learning Programs

Expanding summer school programs to automatically enroll students who need additional preparation to transition to elementary, middle, and high school. Unlike traditional summer school programs, the district will automatically enroll students and allow parents and guardians to opt out; otherwise, we expect our students to spend their summer with us getting ahead in their academic careers at Sac City. Click here to learn more about why summer learning programs are a good investment in closing achievement gaps. 

Expanding health and socio-emotional supports in middle and high school

Addressing the health and socio-emotional needs of middle and high school-aged students is critical in the formative years of adolescence. Superintendent Aguilar’s proposal to invest in additional socio-emotional supports for students at the school site level will help address these important needs so students can focus on their studies and perform academically.

Plan Details

Sac City Unified School District Funding Proposal to Board of Education

Elementary

Fall and Spring Sports

Two proposed sports (basketball and soccer) for boys and girls in grades 3-6.

Includes cost of:

• Coaching stipends
• Equipment, i.e. balls, nets
• Uniforms
• Referees
• Transportation

Visual and Performing Arts Instruction:

15 weeks of arts instruction taught by a retired teacher or teaching artist for grades K-6.

Includes cost of:

• Equipment/Supplies
• Stipends at $72 hourly rate

Middle School

Student Support Services:

Hire six Student Support Specialists/Social Workers for grades 7-8 to meet the social emotional learning needs of students with deficiencies in academics, behavior, and attendance. 

Summer School

Implement an Opt-Out Expanded Summer Learning Program:

Implement summer learning program to serve the following students:

• 2^nd grade students who are struggling to reach 3^rd Grade Level Reading Proficiency
• 6^th grade students who are not fully prepared to enter 7^th grade due to deficiencies in academics, behavior, and attendance;
• 8^th grade students who are not fully prepared to enter 9^th grade due to deficiencies in academics, behavior, and attendance; and
• 9^th-12^th grade students who are not on-track to graduate or complete the A-G course pattern

Proposed Cost: $4,664,000