Pennsylvania Department of Education Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Department of Education 333 Market Street Harrisburg, PA 17126-0333 Professional Education Report Thursday, June 04, 2009 (Last Last ApprovedTuesday, September 16, 2008) Entity: Northern Cambria SD Address: 601 Joseph St Northern Cambria, PA 15714-1232 Phone: Contact Name: Thomas Estep
Professional Education Planning Committee Name Affiliation Membership Category Appointed By Arlene DeSalvo Northern Cambria School Brenna Nichol Northern Cambria Elementary School Chuck Contres Long/Contres Funeral Home Dan Previte Northern Cambria Middle School Denise Paronish Northern Cambria School Denny Colbert Northern Cambria School Diane Waksmunski Dolly Sasway Northern Cambria Elementary School Northern Cambria School Ernie Rescinito Northern Cambria High School Ernie Rescinito Northern Cambria School Board Member Ed Specialist - School Counselor School Board Federal Programs Coordinator Business Representative Federal Programs Coordinator Ed Specialist - School Counselor Parent Administrator Elementary School Teacher Board Member Secondary School Teacher Regular Education Teacher Federal Programs Coordinator Staff Superintendent Teachers School Board Teachers Director of Special Education Jerry Tibbott Tri County Transportation Business Representative Federal Programs Coordinator Joy Lynn Tibbott Northern Cambria School Administrator Superintendent Karen Previte Marian Zedack Marilyn Wargo Mary Ann Williams Melissa Welsh Michelle Paronish Northern Cambria Middle School Northern Cambria School Northern Cambria School Northern Cambria Middle School Northern Cambria High School Northern Cambria Elementary School Middle School Teacher Parent Administrator Middle School Teacher Secondary School Teacher Elementary School Teacher Teachers Staff Superintendent Technology Coordinator Teachers Teachers Needs Assessment Reflections There are currently no reflections selected for this section.
An Act 48 Professional Development Survey was completed by all staff for the needs in the areas of Content, Teaching Practices, School Counselors, and Educational Specialists. Content Area Needs - All Teachers: Building knowledge of literacy, math, and science specific content; Building knowledge of specific content in other areas covered by the PA academic standards, for teachers assigned to those areas; and Data analysis training (all aspects of assessment and evaluation). Teaching Practices - All Teachers: Training in assessing students and analyzing student data to implement effective change in instruction; Training in dealing with non-academic issues that may affect learning (grief counseling, intervening with student-student harassment); Collaboratively designing instructional strategies; Creating shared lessons to help students learn specific skills that assessments identify as weak or lacking; Acquiring technology skills and designing strategies to integrate technology into the instructional setting; Training in how to create safe and welcoming learning environments; School or district wide planning (strategic, professional development, induction, special education, school improvement, technology, wellness); and Developing knowledge and skills in how to involve families and other stakeholders in the educational process. A need in professional development is once the professional development session has been instructed the staff needs the time to plan and implement what was learned. Specific strategies need to be implemented so that the majority of students acquire certain skills/concepts in each grade that can be reviewed and extended into the next grade. School Counselors: Career development program; and Design and implementation of a comprehensive, data driven school counseling program. Educational Specialists - School Nurses: Identifying the health and social services needs and assets of students, families, schools, and communities by using various types of data; Training to acquire health risk reduction and prevention strategies; Prevention training on contemporary health issues affecting school age children; Training for emergency preparedness: CPR/AED training and certification updates; Study of school-based health programs at state and national levels; and Studies related to cross-organizational professional development on social and health services issues. In analysis of PSSA data since 2004 there is a need for ongoing professional development time for data analysis at the high school level and the continuation of the data analysis that is taking place in grades Pre K - 8. Teachers need to form data teams to identify the strengths and weaknesses of students and then adapt their lesson plans to address student characteristics and specific activities for targeted students. Professional Education Action Plan Goal: CPR/AED Professional Development Description: Northern Cambria School professional and support personnel will meet the requirements for CPR/AED training. Strategy: CPR/AED training for all staff
Description: All professional and support personnel will be involved in ongoing and continual CPR/AED training. Activity: In-Service on CPR/AED Description: All professional and support personnel will receive CPR/AED training on scheduled in-service days. Person Responsible Timeline for Implementation Marilyn Wargo Start: 8/21/2008 Finish: 5/31/2014 Resources $18,000.00 Professional Development Activity Information Number of Hours Per Session Total Number of Sessions Per School Year Estimated Number of Participants Per Year 2.00 4 50 Organization or Institution Type of Provider Provider s Department of Name Education Approval Status Northern Cambria School School Entity Approved Knowledge and Skills All participants will be CPR certified and have the skills to utilize the AED's. Research and Best Practices Designed to Accomplish For classroom teachers, school counselors and education specialists: Increases the educator s teaching skills based on research on effective practice, with attention given to interventions for struggling students. For school and district administrators, and other educators seeking leadership roles: Empowers leaders to create a culture of teaching and learning, with an emphasis on learning. Educator Groups Which Will Participate in this Activity Role Grade Level Classroom teachers Early childhood
Principals / asst. principals Superintendent / asst. superintendents School counselors Other educational specialists (prek-grade 3) Middle (grades 6-8) Elementary (grades 2-5) High school (grades 9-12) Follow-up Activities Lesson modeling with mentoring Evaluation Methods Participant survey Status: Not Started Overdue Goal: FOUR-YEAR GRADUATION RATE (for districts and schools that graduate seniors) Description: Graduation rate will meet an 80% threshold and/or show growth. Strategy: Discovering reasons for leaving school. Description: The Northern Cambria School wishes to discover the reasoning employed by students in danger of terminating their education before graduating from high school. The best source of this information is the parents of endangered students and students themselves. Activity: Data analysis on drop outs Description: The principal and counselor will review the data from the interviews of students that may "drop out" and their parents. An analysis of this data will be shared with all 9-12 teachers to plan for drop out prevention. Person Responsible Timeline for Implementation Marilyn Wargo Start: 2/1/2009 Finish: 2/1/2015 Resources - Professional Development Activity Information Number of Hours Per Session Total Number of Sessions Per School Year 1.00 2 35 Estimated Number of Participants Per Year
Organization or Institution Name Type of Provider Provider s Department of Education Approval Status Northern Cambria High School School Entity Approved Knowledge and Skills All high school staff will become informed on the reasons that students are in the process of terminating their education and dropping out of school. The high school staff will develop the skills to address these issues in order to prevent future drop outs. Research and Best Practices Designed to Accomplish For classroom teachers, school counselors and education specialists: Increases the educator s teaching skills based on research on effective practice, with attention given to interventions for struggling students. Empowers educators to work effectively with parents and community partners. For school and district administrators, and other educators seeking leadership roles: Empowers leaders to create a culture of teaching and learning, with an emphasis on learning. Educator Groups Which Will Participate in this Activity Role Grade Level Subject Area Classroom teachers Principals / asst. principals School counselors High school (grades 9-12) Reading, Writing, Speaking & Listening Science and Technology Arts & Humanities Civics and Government Environment and Ecology Health, Safety and Physical Education World Languages Mathematics History Career Education and Work Family and Consumer Sciences
Follow-up Activities Team development and sharing of content-area lesson implementation outcomes, with involvement of administrator and/or peers Evaluation Methods Drop out statistics (The high school staff will meet and review the yearly drop out statistics.) Status: Not Started Overdue Goal: Gifted Professional Development Description: Northern Cambria School professional and support personnel will meet the guidelines established for gifted professional development. Strategy: Informing professional and support personnel on gifted guidelines and/or regulations. Description: All professional and support personnel will be involved in ongoing and continual gifted professional development training and education that support the academic growth of gifted students. Activity: In-Service gifted trainings and education Description: All professional and support personnel will receive trainings related to gifted education on scheduled in-service days. Person Responsible Timeline for Implementation Marilyn Wargo Start: 8/21/2008 Finish: 5/31/2009 Resources - Professional Development Activity Information Number of Hours Per Session Total Number of Sessions Per School Year 1.00 1 140 Organization or Institution Name Northern Cambria School Type of Provider School Entity Approved Estimated Number of Participants Per Year Provider s Department of Education Approval Status Knowledge and Skills Research and Best Designed to Accomplish
All participants will gain knowledge on gifted regulations and education that supports the academic growth of gifted students. Practices For classroom teachers, school counselors and education specialists: Enhances the educator s content knowledge in the area of the educator s certification or assignment. Increases the educator s teaching skills based on research on effective practice, with attention given to interventions for struggling students. Provides educators with a variety of classroom-based assessment skills and the skills needed to analyze and use data in instructional decision-making. For school and district administrators, and other educators seeking leadership roles: Provides the knowledge and skills to think and plan strategically, ensuring that assessments, curriculum, instruction, staff professional education, teaching materials and interventions for struggling students are aligned to each other as well as to Pennsylvania s academic standards. Provides leaders with the ability to access and use appropriate data to inform decision-making. Empowers leaders to create a culture of teaching and learning, with an emphasis on learning. Educator Groups Which Will Participate in this Activity Role Grade Level Subject Area Classroom teachers Principals / asst. principals School counselors Other educational specialists Early childhood (prek-grade 3) Middle (grades 6-8) Elementary (grades 2-5) High school (grades 9-12) Pre-Kindergarten Early Learning Standards Reading, Writing, Speaking & Listening Science and Technology Arts & Humanities Civics and Government Environment and Ecology Health, Safety and Physical Education
World Languages Kindergarten Early Learning Standards Mathematics History Career Education and Work Economics Family and Consumer Sciences Geography Follow-up Activities Analysis of student work, with administrator and/or peers Creating lessons to meet varied student learning styles Evaluation Methods Classroom observation focusing on factors such as planning and preparation, knowledge of content, pedagogy and standards, classroom environment, instructional delivery and professionalism. Student PSSA data Standardized student assessment data other than the PSSA Classroom student assessment data Review of written reports summarizing instructional activity Status: Complete Date Comment 4/30/2009 All teachers in grades K-12 received in-service training related to gifted education as planned. Goal: LEP Professional Development Description: Northern Cambria School professional and support personnel will meet the guidelines established for LEP professional development. Strategy: Informing professional and support personnel on LEP guidelines and/or regulations. Description: All professional and support personnel will be involved in ongoing and continual LEP professional development training and education that supports the academic growth of the LEP students. Activity: In-Service LEP trainings and education Description: All professional and support personnel will receive trainings related to LEP on scheduled in-service days.
Person Responsible Timeline for Implementation Marilyn Wargo Start: 8/21/2008 Finish: 5/31/2009 Resources - Professional Development Activity Information Number of Hours Per Session Total Number of Sessions Per School Year Estimated Number of Participants Per Year 1.00 1 140 Organization or Institution Name Type of Provider Provider s Department of Education Approval Status Northern Cambria School Intermediate Unit Approved Knowledge and Skills All participants will gain knowledge on the LEP guidelines and/or regulations. Research and Best Practices Designed to Accomplish For classroom teachers, school counselors and education specialists: Increases the educator s teaching skills based on research on effective practice, with attention given to interventions for struggling students. Provides educators with a variety of classroombased assessment skills and the skills needed to analyze and use data in instructional decisionmaking. For school and district administrators, and other educators seeking leadership roles: Empowers leaders to create a culture of teaching and learning, with an emphasis on learning. Educator Groups Which Will Participate in this Activity Role Grade Level Subject Area Classroom teachers Principals / asst. principals Superintendent / asst. Early childhood (prek-grade 3) Middle (grades 6- Pre-Kindergarten Early Learning Standards Reading, Writing,
superintendents School counselors Other educational specialists 8) Elementary (grades 2-5) High school (grades 9-12) Speaking & Listening Science and Technology Arts & Humanities Civics and Government Environment and Ecology Health, Safety and Physical Education World Languages Kindergarten Early Learning Standards Mathematics History Career Education and Work Economics Family and Consumer Sciences Geography Follow-up Activities Team development and sharing of content-area lesson implementation outcomes, with involvement of administrator and/or peers Evaluation Methods Status: Complete Date Comment 4/30/2009 All teachers in grades K-12 received inservice training on LEP as planned. Goal: MATHEMATICS Description: Northern Cambria School students will meet the annual proficiency guidelines as established by state and federal regulations. Strategy: Instructional strategies to insure student success Description: The elementary math department uses a variety of strategies. PSSA and assessment anchor objectives have been integrated into the daily content and skill development. Chapter and unit review also includes PSSA objectives. Additional supplementary materials have been acquired such as: Study Island, PSSA Mathematics, and Pennsylvania Practice and Test Prep. PSSA Mathematics vocabulary is incorporated into math lessons and daily activities. Students practice using the Harcourt web site and other computer software to reinforce PSSA objectives.
Activity: Professional development for student success in mathematics Description: All professional and support personnel will be involved in ongoing professional development relating to the PSSA such as assessment anchors and eligible content. They will also receive in-service training on data analysis and the use of e-metrics along with other technological trainings per grade level or pertaining to content benchmark assessments. Person Responsible Timeline for Implementation Marilyn Wargo Start: 8/21/2008 Finish: 8/21/2014 Resources - Professional Development Activity Information Number of Hours Per Session Total Number of Sessions Per School Year 3.00 2 99 Organization or Institution Name Northern Cambria School Estimated Number of Participants Per Year Type of Provider Provider s Department of Education Approval Status School Entity Approved Knowledge and Skills Teachers will form data teams to review student assessment data in order to adapt lessons and plan for additional support to meet the needs of identified students. Research and Best Practices Designed to Accomplish For classroom teachers, school counselors and education specialists: Provides educators with a variety of classroom-based assessment skills and the skills needed to analyze and use data in instructional decision-making. For school and district administrators, and other educators seeking leadership roles: Provides the knowledge and skills to think and plan strategically, ensuring that assessments, curriculum, instruction, staff professional education, teaching materials and interventions for struggling students are aligned to each other as well as to Pennsylvania s academic standards. Provides leaders with the ability to access and use appropriate
data to inform decision-making. Educator Groups Which Will Participate in this Activity Role Grade Level Subject Area Classroom teachers Principals / asst. principals Early childhood (prek-grade 3) Middle (grades 6-8) Elementary (grades 2-5) High school (grades 9-12) Pre-Kindergarten Early Learning Standards Kindergarten Early Learning Standards Mathematics Follow-up Activities Analysis of student work, with administrator and/or peers Creating lessons to meet varied student learning styles Evaluation Methods Classroom observation focusing on factors such as planning and preparation, knowledge of content, pedagogy and standards, classroom environment, instructional delivery and professionalism. Student PSSA data Classroom student assessment data Status: In Progress Upcoming Date Comment 4/30/2009 All math teachers in grades K-12 will receive on an ongoing basis professional development and support related to the PSSA assessment anchors, eligible content, data analysis, use of e-metrics, and other technological trainings. Benchmark testing is occurring in grades K-3 using DIBELS assessment, 4-8 using Study Island, and 9-10 using 4Sight. Goal: READING Description: Northern Cambria School students will meet the annual proficiency guidelines as established by state and federal regulations. Strategy: Instructional strategies to insure student success Description: The English Department uses classroom and supplemental strategies aimed at successfully drawing students into proficiency in literacy competencies. Classroom lesson plans target and incorporate the PSSA anchor objectives in the ongoing practice of composition, reading comprehension, and literary interpretation. Compositions are scored using the PA mode specific scoring guidelines of focus, content development, organization, style, and conventions. Critical reading assessments and reading responses based on classroom assignments are administered in a manner similar to the PSSA Reading format. PSSA tutoring has been implemented as a regular class for 11th graders identified as being able
to benefit from extra test taking practice. A class entitled PSSA Prep has been incorporated into the curriculum to afford students who are not achieving at the Proficient Level some additional instruction. Supplementary materials include Study Island, PLATO, PSSA Coach, and PSSA released items. Activity: Professional development for student success in reading. Description: All professional and support personnel will be involved in ongoing professional development relating to the PSSA such as assessment anchors and eligible content. They will also receive trainings on literacy and instructional strategies for at risk students and various learning styles. Additional trainings on data analysis, use of e-metrics and other technological trainings pertaining to grade level or content level benchmark assessments. Person Responsible Timeline for Implementation Marilyn Wargo Start: 8/21/2008 Finish: 8/21/2014 Resources - Professional Development Activity Information Number of Hours Per Session Total Number of Sessions Per School Year 3.00 2 99 Organization or Institution Name Northern Cambria School Estimated Number of Participants Per Year Type of Provider Provider s Department of Education Approval Status School Entity Approved Knowledge and Skills Teachers will form data teams to review student assessments data in order to adapt lessons and plan for additional support to meet the needs of identified students. Research and Best Practices Designed to Accomplish For classroom teachers, school counselors and education specialists: Provides educators with a variety of classroom-based assessment skills and the skills needed to analyze and use data in instructional decision-making. For school and district administrators, and other educators seeking leadership roles: Provides the knowledge and skills to think and plan strategically, ensuring that assessments, curriculum, instruction, staff professional education, teaching materials
and interventions for struggling students are aligned to each other as well as to Pennsylvania s academic standards. Provides leaders with the ability to access and use appropriate data to inform decision-making. Educator Groups Which Will Participate in this Activity Role Grade Level Subject Area Classroom teachers Principals / asst. principals Early childhood (prek-grade 3) Middle (grades 6-8) Elementary (grades 2-5) High school (grades 9-12) Pre-Kindergarten Early Learning Standards Reading, Writing, Speaking & Listening Kindergarten Early Learning Standards Follow-up Activities Team development and sharing of content-area lesson implementation outcomes, with involvement of administrator and/or peers Analysis of student work, with administrator and/or peers Evaluation Methods Student PSSA data Standardized student assessment data other than the PSSA Status: In Progress Upcoming Date Comment 4/30/2009 All reading teachers in grades K-12 will receive on an ongoing basis professional development and support related to the PSSA assessment anchors, eligible content, data analysis, use of e-metrics, and other technological trainings. Benchmark testing is occurring in grades K-3 using DIBELS assessment, 4-8 using Study Island, and 9-10 using 4Sight. Goal: Science Description: Northern Cambria School students will meet the annual proficiency guidelines as established by state and federal regulations.
Strategy: Implementation of Science: It's Elementary, an inquiry based science program in grades K-5 Description: Classrooms will have high quality teaching and learning happening. Teachers will be seen as a facilitator while students work in small groups using hands on materials. Students will be actively engaged and apply what is learned. Activity: Professional development for an inquiry based science program and for student success in science. Description: All professional and support personnel will be involved in ongoing professional development relating to the science PSSA, instructional strategies in course content, and classroom preparation. Professional and support personnel in grades K-5 will be involved in professional development on implementation of an inquiry based science program. Grades K-12 will receive training on data analysis and the use of e-metrics. Person Responsible Timeline for Implementation Marilyn Wargo Start: 10/1/2008 Finish: 5/31/2009 Resources $65,197.00 Professional Development Activity Information Number of Hours Per Session Total Number of Sessions Per School Year Estimated Number of Participants Per Year 6.00 4 24 Organization or Institution Name Type of Provider Provider s Department of Education Approval Status ASSET Inc. Company Approved Knowledge and Skills All teachers in grades K-5 that teach science receive professional development on each new module that is taught and receive content deepening training on the modules from the previous year. They receive training on inquiry based science on how to instruct the experiments in their modules. Research and Best Practices Designed to Accomplish For classroom teachers, school counselors and education specialists: Enhances the educator s content knowledge in the area of the educator s certification or assignment. Increases the educator s teaching skills based on research on effective practice, with attention given to interventions for
struggling students. Provides educators with a variety of classroombased assessment skills and the skills needed to analyze and use data in instructional decisionmaking. For school and district administrators, and other educators seeking leadership roles: Empowers leaders to create a culture of teaching and learning, with an emphasis on learning. Instructs the leader in managing resources for effective results. Educator Groups Which Will Participate in this Activity Role Grade Level Subject Area Classroom teachers Early childhood (prek-grade 3) Elementary (grades 2-5) Reading, Writing, Speaking & Listening Science and Technology Mathematics Follow-up Activities Team development and sharing of content-area lesson implementation outcomes, with involvement of administrator and/or peers Creating lessons to meet varied student learning styles Evaluation Methods Classroom observation focusing on factors such as planning and preparation, knowledge of content, pedagogy and standards, classroom environment, instructional delivery and professionalism. Classroom student assessment data Status: Complete Date Comment 4/30/2009 All staff in grades K-5 completed the professional development activities for inquiry based science. All reading and math teachers in grades K-12 are involved in data analysis. All department heads, special education teachers, and targeted reading and math teachers have been trained in the use of e-metrics. Goal: Technology
Description: Students and staff will meet the technology skill level standards as outlined in the Northern Cambria School professional development and student achievement guidelines. Strategy: Increase technological ability of students and staff Description: We will look at how technology is incorporated into the curriculum in order to ensure our graduates are prepared for today's technological world. We must also improve our teachers and support staff's technology skills through regularly scheduled technology professional development classes. Activity: Professional Development Plan for increased technological ability of staff. Description: Administration and department heads will develop a technology professional development plan for teachers, secretaries, and administrators. Person Responsible Timeline for Implementation Marilyn Wargo Start: 8/23/2008 Finish: 8/21/2014 Resources $90,000.00 Professional Development Activity Information Number of Hours Per Session Total Number of Sessions Per School Year 2.00 3 140 Organization or Institution Name Northern Cambria School Type of Provider School Entity Approved Estimated Number of Participants Per Year Provider s Department of Education Approval Status Knowledge and Skills MS Word MS Outlook MS Excel MS Powerpoint Computer file management Standard Windows functions Internet researching Research and Best Practices Designed to Accomplish For classroom teachers, school counselors and education specialists: Enhances the educator s content knowledge in the area of the educator s certification or assignment. Provides educators with a variety of classroom-based assessment skills and the skills needed to analyze and use data in instructional decision-making. Empowers educators to work effectively with parents and
community partners. For school and district administrators, and other educators seeking leadership roles: Provides the knowledge and skills to think and plan strategically, ensuring that assessments, curriculum, instruction, staff professional education, teaching materials and interventions for struggling students are aligned to each other as well as to Pennsylvania s academic standards. Provides leaders with the ability to access and use appropriate data to inform decision-making. Empowers leaders to create a culture of teaching and learning, with an emphasis on learning. Educator Groups Which Will Participate in this Activity Role Grade Level Subject Area Classroom teachers Principals / asst. principals Superintendent / asst. superintendents School counselors Other educational specialists Early childhood (prek-grade 3) Middle (grades 6-8) Elementary (grades 2-5) High school (grades 9-12) Pre-Kindergarten Early Learning Standards Reading, Writing, Speaking & Listening Science and Technology Arts & Humanities Civics and Government Environment and Ecology Health, Safety and Physical Education World Languages Kindergarten Early Learning Standards Mathematics History Career Education and Work Economics Family and Consumer Sciences Geography Follow-up Activities Creating lessons to meet varied student learning styles Peer-to-peer lesson Evaluation Methods Participant survey Portfolio
discussions Status: In Progress Upcoming Date Comment 4/30/2009 Beginning in the summer of 2009 the district will offer a suite of 8 technology proficiency courses for staff. Annual Review Process The Act 48 Professional Development Committee will meet annually. The committee will meet to monitor and amend the plan, review professional development programs held on site and reports of individual/group conference/workshop reports as per departmental meetings. Supporting Documents There are currently no supporting documents selected for this section. Contact Information
Appendix B Entity Information Page Entity: Northern Cambria SD Address: 601 Joseph St Northern Cambria, PA 15714-1232 Superintendent or Chief Administrative Officer: Thomas A. Estep III, Ed. D E-mail: testep@ncsd.k12.pa.us Telephone: 814-948-5481 ext. 2600 Fax: 814-948-2601 Professional Education Committee Chairperson: Marilyn Wargo E-mail: mwargo@ncsd.k12.pa.us Telephone: 814-948-5481 ext. 2612 Fax: 814-948-2613 Act 48 Reporting Contact: Marilyn Wargo E-mail: mwargo@ncsd.k12.pa.us Telephone: 814-948-5481 ext. 2612 Fax: 814-948-2613