BEST PRACTICES/QUALITY ASSURANCE TEAM PEER REVIEW REPORT

Transcription

1 BEST PRACTICES/QUALITY ASSURANCE TEAM PEER REVIEW REPORT SACSCASI defines accredited schools as schools in motion; they are improving schools. While all schools today are expected to engage in a continuous process of improvement, a SACS-accredited school is different in that it meets a set of standards revealed by research and best practice as essential for a quality school, seeks feedback regularly from an external group of professionals conducting a Quality Assurance Review (a process of peer review), and continually demonstrates to its stakeholders that it is providing for quality assurance. School Name New Smyrna Beach High School Principal Dr. Carol Ann Kelley Peer Review Date 12/07/2007 Best Practices/Quality Assurance Review Team: Chair Kathy Gibbons Member Cheryl Salerno Member Susan Freeman Directions: At least one (1) recommendation must be provided for each of the first six (6) parts of the report. Reviewers will cite best practices from the District Strategic Plan for all recommendations and commendations and, where practical, reference the SACSCASI K12 Public School Standard that is met. Documents Reviewed: Climate Survey X_ YES NO Adequate Progress Performance Appraisal X YES NO Program Evaluation X YES NO School Improvement Plan X_ YES NO SACSCASI Accreditation 2006 Status: Clear Deficiencies: (Use additional page if required) 6.3, 6.4, 6.6 A follow-up inquiry will be sent to schools one year after their peer review to determine their response to the recommendations provided in the BP/QA Peer Review Report. 1

2 PART II COMPREHENSIVE SELF-EVALUATION (Addresses SACSCASI Standard Two, Ensures that the curriculum is enacted, supported, and assessed; Standard Three: Curriculum - The school offers a researched-based curriculum that supports best practices and clearly defines expectations for students learning; Standard Five: Assessment and Evaluation The school uses a comprehensive assessment system to monitor and evaluate student learning and to improve curriculum and instruction.) Climate Survey Data Adequate Progress Performance Appraisal Program Evaluation 1. Our team would like to commend the principal as a strong instructional leader who has taken a risk in her forward thinking and creative design of the Small Learning Communities. The team would also like to congratulate NSBHS for being a recipient of the National Small Learning Communities Award and for being recognized by William Daggett as a Model School. (Best Practice: High Performing Instructional and Non-Instructional Staff - Teacher Support: 1. The school has a plan to ensure implementation of effective instructional practices.) 2. It is evident that the stakeholders have access to an extensive amount of data, which is then used to enhance individual student learning. In addition to a Climate Survey and a program evaluation NSBHS has invested in the HSSSE, High School Survey of Student Engagement. This survey relates information concerning the student s cognitive, intellectual, academic engagement; social, behavioral, participatory engagement; and emotional engagement. (Best Practice: Academic Excellence - Monitoring Instruction and Achievement: 3. The school continually monitors student performance and revises programs as needed to ensure increased student achievement.) 3. The parents and community members are extremely positive and feel the school is safe, orderly and the staff works hard at helping their child reach their potential. In additional NSBHS has developed an effective transition program that ensures that new students very welcome. (Best Practice: Involved Family and Community - Family Communication: 1. The school s communication with the home is regular, two way, and meaningful.) 4. The faculty and staff are to be commended for embracing the best practice of Rigor Relevance and Relationships which are the written goals for their Small Learning Communities. (Best Practice: Academic Excellence - Comprehensive Curriculum: 1: The school offers a comprehensive and rigorous curriculum that meets the needs of all students.) 2

3 Recommendation(s)/Best Practices 1. We recommend that the principal and administrative staff work closely with students, teachers and parents when redesigning their schedule and programs and the district moves toward the implementation of the seven period day. (Best Practice: High Performing Instructional and Non Instructional Staff - Teacher Support: 1. The school has a plan for implementing effective instructional practices Rational: Concern about the move to the 7 th period day was evident in all interviews. PART III PRIORITIZE IDENTIFIED NEEDS Use of Focus Questions Interviews of parents, community members, teachers and staff (Addresses SACSCASI Standard One: Beliefs and Mission, 1.1 Engages its stakeholders in a collaborative process; Standard Eight: Stakeholder Communications and Relationships - The school fosters effective communication and relationships with and among its stakeholders; Standard Ten: Continuous Process of School Improvement, 10.2 Provides opportunities for stakeholders to contribute to the development and implementation of the school improvement plan.) 1. The faculty and staff are to be commended for the pride they show in their school. All stakeholders echoed the concept that NSBHS has a very strong sense of community, and is truly a community school. (Best Practices: Involved Family And Community - School Community: 3. The school provides an atmosphere where families and community members from diverse backgrounds are welcome and their involvement is encouraged 2. The faculty and staff should be commended for creating a family atmosphere where input from students and parents is welcome. (Best Practices: Involved Family And Community - School Community: 3. The school provides an atmosphere where families and community members from diverse backgrounds are welcome and their involvement is encouraged.) 3. NSBHS is to be commended for the development and implementation of a mentoring program that addresses the needs of identified students. (Best Practices: Access and Equity. Individual - Student Progress: 1. The school has a plan in place for closing the achievement gap for all students by identifying students in need of additional/varied services.) 3

4 B. Recommendation(s)/Best Practices 1. Recommendation: The team would like to make the recommendation to include the SGA and other student leaders in more decision making venues. (Best Practice: Involved Family and Community - School Climate: The school provides an atmosphere where families and community members from diverse backgrounds are welcome and their involvement is encouraged.) Rational: It was determined through interviews that the SGA believes that their function at NSBHS is fund raising and although they are asked for feedback they do not believe they have a voice in decision making process. PART IV EVALUATION OF THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE ACTION PLAN FOR SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT (Addresses SACSCASI Standard Three: Curriculum - The school offers a research-based curriculum that supports best practices and clearly defines expectations for student learning; Standard Four: Instruction The school employs instructional strategies and provides services that facilitate learning for all students; Standard Five: Assessment and Evaluation The school uses a comprehensive assessment system to monitor and evaluate student learning and to improve curriculum and instruction; Standard Ten: Continuous Process of School Improvement The school establishes, implements and monitors a continuous process of improvement that focuses on students improvement.) o Goals o Objectives - Area(s) of focus - Best Practices(s) - Essential Indicator(s) The school Advisory Council is to be commended for developing an effective Strategic Plan that involves all stakeholders. (Best Practices: Academic Achievement Monitoring Instruction and Achievement: 3. The school continually monitors student performance and revises programs as needed to ensure increased student achievement.) 1. The faculty and staff are to be commended for their advisory, study hall and tutoring program that provides every student an opportunity become informed, build relationships, get help with material, get caught up on assignments, and get one on one instruction for specific courses. (Best Practice: Access and Equity Individual Students Progress: 1. The school has a plan in place for closing the achievement gap for all students by identifying students in need of additional/varied services.) 4

5 B. Recommendation(s)/Best Practices 1. It is the recommendation of the team that the traffic pattern during morning drop-off and afternoon pick-up be reviewed and adjusted. (Best Practice: Involved Family and Community - School Climate: The school provides an atmosphere where families and community members from diverse backgrounds are welcome and their involvement is encouraged.) Rational All stakeholders expressed frustration and concern about the morning and afternoon traffic. PART V EVIDENCE OF IMPLEMENTATION Observable Implementation of the Strategic Plan - Interviews - On-site Observations - Documentation 1. The faculty and staff of NSBHS are to be commended for the AVID program. Students were adamant about the fact that the AVID program provided them with the confidence and skills to pursue higher education successfully. One student indicated that as a 9 th grader she had no plans to go to college but AVID changed her whole outlook and she was now planning a college career. (Best Practice: Access and Equity Individual Students Progress: 1. The school has a plan in place for closing the achievement gap for all students by identifying students in need of additional/varied services.) 2. The faculty and staff should be commended for the time and effort they devote to collaboration and staff development. (Best Practice: High-Performing Instructional And Non-Instructional Staff - Teacher Support: 1. The school has a plan for implementing effective instructional practices. 3. The faculty and staff should be commended for providing teacher trainers for Professional Learning Communities and for utilizing in-house talent for staff development. (Best Practice: High-Performing Instructional And Non-Instructional Staff - Teacher Support: 1. The school has a plan for implementing effective instructional practices. B. Recommendation(s)/Best Practices There are no recommendations at this time. 5

6 PART VI GENERAL EVALUATION Note any school-based practices or Charter District waiver process that can be replicated at other schools. 1. The faculty and staff are to be commended for their strong commitment to building relationships with their students. As one interviewed student said they want to know what we are going to do with our futures. It seems like they really care what we are going to do with ourselves. (Best Practice: Involved Family and Community School Climate: 3. The school provides an atmosphere where families and community members from diverse backgrounds are welcome and their involvement is encouraged.) 2. The faculty and staff are to be commended for their commitment to requiring students to complete a senior project which is the culmination of their educational experience. (Best Practice: Access and Equity - Instructional Programs and Services. 2: The school has a plan in place for closing the achievement gap for all students by providing appropriate instructional programs and services. B. Recommendation(s)/Best Practices 1. Recommendations: The team would like to recommend that the faculty and staff explore some options that could offer shade or relief from what the students refer to as the: desert. (Best Practice: Involved Family and Community - School Climate: The school provides an atmosphere where families and community members from diverse backgrounds are welcome and their involvement is encouraged.) Rational: While the students are thrilled with their new campus they wished there were trees or shaded areas available to them in the courtyard area. PART VII SUMMARY STATEMENT: The Best Practices/Quality Assurance Peer Review Team found New Smyrna Beach High School to be an outstanding school with a dedicated staff. Student achievement and closing the achievement gap are a priority at NSBHS as evidence by the school s test results and faculty/parent/student interviews. The strengths include: an extremely competent and caring administrative and teaching staff, programs that meet the needs of the all the students and a unique master schedule that incorporates the small learning communities. The Strategic Plan has been implemented and is monitored by the School Advisory Council. NSBHS is to be congratulated for their beautiful new facility and commended for the appropriate use that enhances the wide variety of programs that they offer. The Best Practices/Quality Assurance Peer Review Team appreciated all the hospitality shown us during our visit. In addition we would like to send a special thank-you to the Culinary Academy for the outstanding meals that we enjoyed during our visit. 6