State School Superindent's Update

Superintendent's Update

Superintendent Castillo's bi-weekly updates showcase the efforts and achievements of Oregon schools. Through these regular updates, the Superintendent hopes to increase communications regarding important initiatives for Oregon's students. Click here to access archived issues of Superintendent’s Update.

Superintendent’s Update # 333

December 16, 2010

In This Issue:

· The Power of Belief

· Closing the Achievement Gap: Spotlight on River Road/El Camino del Rio Elementary

· Southern Oregon Schools that Shine

· Oregon Diploma Talk

· Opportunities and Financial Resources for Schools

· Susan’s Schedule

This will be the final Superintendent’s Update for 2010. Happy Holidays and we will see you in 2011.

The Power of Belief

By Susan Castillo

We all know that it takes time to turn around struggling schools, but through consistent focus, strong leadership, and high expectations, progress is being made in schools across the state. Most of these success stories have one thing in common: school staff and leadership who believe that all students can – and will – achieve at high levels.

One such success story is Gresham-Barlow’s Springwater Trail High School. This small school serves students who have not always been successful in the traditional high school environment. Three quarters of students are behind academically when they enter Springwater and many have struggled with learning disabilities, face challenging home lives, or simply have not found their niche in traditional high schools. The school’s task is to provide all of these students with the supports and individualized instruction they need to succeed academically.

Given the challenges faced by many Springwater students, some would simply accept lower rates of achievement. But instead, principal Terrence Smyth and his staff raised expectations and ask the students, and the school, to do more. The school focused on the basics, stressed the importance of strong reading skills, and changed the whole tone of the school. Students are now on task, challenged, and learning. Springwater staff asked students to meet a higher bar and the students have risen to the challenge.

Over the past few years, student achievement has increased in all subject areas and the increase in math has been particularly impressive. Springwater students now achieve above the state average in all areas and the school received an “Outstanding” rating on the school report card for 2009-10 up from a rating of “In Need of Improvement” the year before. In addition, the school met AYP in 2009-10 after not meeting for several years.

This growth is a testament to the good work of the students, staff, and leadership at Springwater. It is also a reminder of what is possible when we set our sights high and believe in our students and our schools. As we move forward with higher graduation expectations for our students and our state, schools like Springwater are showing us the way.

To learn more about Springwater Trail High School, see the December 7 article published in the Gresham Outlook.

Closing the Achievement Gap: Spotlight on Eugene’s River Road/El Camino del Rio Elementary School

This feature highlights high poverty and/or minority schools recognized this year for their progress in closing the academic achievement gap.

When River Road/El Camino del Rio Elementary heard the news that a neighboring school won an Oregon Department of Education Celebrating Student Success Award, the school redoubled efforts to raise achievement and win the award, too. “I saw schools that looked like ours and getting incredible results,” says Principal Paco Furlan.

Teams from the school traveled to visit 4 of the 6 award-winning schools that year to learn strategies to close the achievement gap. “We looked at what kind of curriculum they were using, what kind of schedule they had, what kind of relationship teachers had with one another, what kind of training they were getting, how they were engaging the parent community,” says Furlan. “We brought those ideas back and started to change the way we do business.”

That work paid off this year, as River Road/ El Camino del Rio was named a Celebrating Student Success Champion. After researching successful schools, teachers found that sticking to a single, school-wide core curriculum was critical. So River Road/El Camino del Rio went from a half-dozen different reading programs to a single, unified approach to literacy and math, endorsed by all teachers.

The school also retooled its daily schedule to extend its literacy and math blocks. “We stick to the curriculum with fidelity,” says Leah Roderick, a 2nd grade teacher. “Kids know what’s expected, and they make incredible progress.”

River Road/El Camino del Rio reworked its after school program, changing it from a “homework help” program to an intensive reading and math program for struggling students. As part of a school-city partnership, about 70 students get to participate in an after school program that includes recreation and academics, as well as dinner and bus transportation home. The program doubles or even triples the amount of instructional time students receive in reading and math.

When the school reworked its daily schedule, 5 minutes were added to each school day in order to “bank” time that the school converted into three additional days of staff development. The move effectively doubled the number of days dedicated to professional development. The approach to training is cohesive, with the entire staff participating in year-long trainings, such as Guided Language Acquisition Design (GLAD), Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS), and other research-based programs.

With nearly 1/2 the student body of Latino heritage, the school this year launched the district’s first Spanish/English dual language program. The program has proven popular -- families were put on a waiting list the first year. Next year, the school expects to grow to 400 students, a testament to its growing reputation. A Family Center with a bilingual coordinator also keeps the school connected with families

Visit http://www.ode.state.or.us/search/page/?id=2890 to learn more about other schools closing the gap and to watch a short video showcasing River Road’s story.

Southern Oregon Schools that Shine

Southern Oregon ESD has launched a new regional webpage titled “Southern Oregon Schools That Shine!” The intent is to showcase strong practices throughout the region so districts across the state can share best practices.

The first feature is on the Klamath County School District, highlighting the remarkable gains they have made in student achievement. Learn what they attribute their success to and what advice the district has for other districts working to improve student achievement. Click here for more information on Klamath County School District and Southern Oregon Schools that Shine.

Oregon Diploma Talk

Oregon

This bi-weekly item highlights actions taken, various questions, and background relating to the Oregon diploma.

Do you need more information on Oregon’s graduation requirements? Do you have questions about the Essential Skills? Have you ever wanted to learn more about the Education Plan and Profile? Do you understand how “credit for proficiency” works?

The Oregon Department of Education has a wealth of resources on our website to help answer your questions. Visit the Oregon Diploma Questions and Answers page or see the ODE FAQs for more information on diploma requirements, essentials skills, personalized learning, and more.

Opportunities and Financial Resources for Schools

Teaching Ambassador Fellowship

Applications for the US Department of Education’s Teaching Ambassador Fellowship are now available online. Teaching Ambassadors are outstanding teachers who have a record of leadership, strong communication skills, and policy insight who work for one year for the US Department of Education, either full-time in Washington, DC or part-time in their home states. The Teaching Ambassador Fellowship supports the Department’s mission by enabling a cadre of teachers from across the country to contribute their classroom expertise to the national dialogue and in turn facilitate discussions with educators across the country. More information about the program and application is available at: www.ed.gov/programs/teacherfellowship. The deadline for applications is January 17, 2011.

Nominate an Elementary Teacher for National History Teacher of the Year

Do you know an outstanding K-6 teacher passionate about American history? All Social Studies and elementary educators who teach American History are welcome. The National History Teacher of the Year Award give $10,000 to the best American history teacher. The national winner is chosen from outstanding teachers in each state, district, and U.S. territory. State winners receive $1,000 and an archive of books and other resources for their school. The award is sponsored by the Gilder Lehrman Institute, Preserve America, and HISTORY (The History Channel). Nominations for the National History Teacher of the Year can be made by a student, parent, colleague, supervisor, or other education professional familiar with the teacher’s work. In 2011, the Gilder Lehrman Institute will honor a teacher of grades K-6. Middle and high school teachers are honored every other year. The nomination deadline is February 1, 2011. To nominate a teacher and learn more about the award, visit: National History Teacher of the Year Award or contact the Gilder Lehrman National History Teacher of the Year coordinator at nhtoy@gilderlehrman.org eMailor 646-366-9666 x28.

Environmental Challenge for K-12 Students

The Siemens Foundation, Discovery Education, and the National Science Teachers Association announce the kick-off of the third annual Siemens We Can Change the World Challenge, a program that educates and empowers students and teachers nationwide to become “Agents of Change” in identifying and solving environmental problems. This national sustainability challenge encourages all students, from kindergarten through twelfth grade, to team up with their classmates to create replicable solutions to environmental issues in their schools, community, and world. Teachers, students and mentors can log on to www.wecanchange.com to register for the Siemens We Can Change the World Challenge. Prizes, which vary according to grade level, include savings bonds, school grants, exciting trips, and more. Fostering learning, team work, and problem solving around sustainability, the website offers robust resource guides, lesson plans, and teacher materials to accompany each stage of the challenge. The deadline for all entries is March 15, 2011. Finalists and winners will be announced in April 2011, and the national winners will be announced in May 2011. For more information, visit www.facebook.com/wecanchange.

Susan's Schedule

Week of December 13 - Superintendent Castillo met with the State Steering Committee on School Improvement, spoke at the House Education Committee, met with Representative Barnhart, Representative Sprenger, Representative Dembrow, Representative Huffman, and Senator Johnson in preparation for the 2011 legislative session, and participated in the Vision & Policy Task Force at COSA.

Week of December 20 - Susan will participate in Governor-elect John Kitzhaber’s Education Transition Group Meeting in Portland and will spend time with family for the holidays.

The December 2010 issue of Superintendent's Pipeline is available on the ODE website.