Improvement ARP ISD 2005

MISSION STATEMENT: The mission of the Arp Independent School District is to strive for excellence and develop responsible students with capacity to think critically and function successfully in a constantly changing competitive world.

Teaching Minds, Touching Lives -- Tiger Pride Never Dies! MOTTO:

PHILOSOPHY: Arp Schools are dedicated to providing all students with a safe, equitable, and effective educational environment where continuing staff development, character education, SCANS foundational skills and competencies, the Texas Education Agency’s Essential Knowledge and Skills, integration of current technologies, research-based strategies, and authentic assessments are facets of the curriculum to prepare students for successful futures and high-skilled careers.

Goal #1 Parents will be full partners with the district in the education of their children.

OBJECTIVES	PERSON(S) RESPONSIBLE	RESOURCES ALLOCATIONS	TIMELINE	EVALUATION FORMATIVE/ SUMMATIVE	Progress as of 03/06/2006
1. The Parent/Teacher Organization(s) will support and recommend strategies for promoting campus & district improvement. including extended learning for adults via distance education.	Principal, PTO,	Campus funds	bi-annually	Sitebase Committee Recommendations, Reports and sign-in sheets. Parent Surveys	Need reports from campuses
2. Surveys will be taken to determine the need for alternative education requirements for the district, including extended learning for adults via distance education.	Curriculum Director	TEA TARGET Grants	Began in August 2004 annually	Purchased equipment in 2005 and offered one distance learning course and one distance learning community event	Have 20 surveys returned and SUPERNet report
3. Remote Access given to district and community for distance learning	Tech Director	E-rate & TARGET grants	Began in 1998 Expanded in 2005 Continuing	Purchased RAS in 1998, upgraded in 2005 Waiting arrival of Wireless Community Network Secured grant for Wireless H.S. Campus network in 2005	Looking to upgrade the RAS bandwidth from 54k to 10 Mb through wireless tower. Contract signed, waiting on tower.
4. Reinstitute TigerVision (community access channel broadcasting from high school studio) to support community distance learning through student-produced video broadcasts.	Cebridge Cable and Tech Director	Campus & Cable funds	ASAP current	As of 11/03/05 cable company has not finished connection	Cebridge has connected cable for H.S. but NOT the broadcast head-end. Press Box has fiber tie for online broadcasting capabilities.
5.Student ShowCase OpenHouse will allow students to show parents and community their work, electronic portfolios, multimedia projects, videos, Websites, talents and skills.	Principals, Teachers	TARGET Grant	annually	Program reviews and community involvement Attendance & participation on elementary campus each year	Show case has taken place in Elementary
6. Parent Information nights will be scheduled for 8^th grade enrollment and to explain acceleration programs, Recommended High School Program, Dual Credit, CATE, and Articulation Courses.	Counselor and Curriculum Director	H.S. Campus Funds	annually	Counselor initiated several in-school sessions for students only Required 4-year plans need to be on file Board Request reinstate annual Student/Parent Event	8th Grade Student/Parent Orientation has been scheduled for April 3rd, 6:30 PM in H.S. Studio
7. Help educate parents on the high school recommended program, acceleration programs, and dual credit and articulation courses through newsletters, flyers, and orientations, and Website.	Counselor & Curriculum Director	Campus & District Funds	Begun 2003, Web site updated annually	Program Flyers to be created 2005 New Website created 2005 Orientations to be conducted	Planning to Update Parents on Texas Scholars Online Program for 4 year plans and post secondary preparations.

Goal 2: Parents and other community members will be partners in the improvement of the school.

ACTIVITY/STRATEGY	PERSON RESPONSIBLE	RESOURCE ALLOCATION	TIMELINE	EXPECTED OUTCOMES OF EVALUATION	Progress as of 03/06/2006
1. Increase communication between teachers and parents regarding the academic performance and development of students through the use of the PTO newsletter, School Report Card, AEIS report, G/T parent meetings, Title I parent meetings, monthly Head-Start parent meetings, School-parent compact, teacher notes, progress reports, marquee, signs, Campus Site-Based Committee meetings, Early Years Publication, TIER Letters to parents, TAKS results, parent and student surveys, PTO carnival, Open House, Meet the Teacher/Supply Night, newspaper articles, school website, class websites, class syllabi, Student Handbook, and school Website.	Principal Superintendent PTO Teachers Parents Aides Counselor Curr. Dir.	$1000 local funds Head-Start funds Title I funds -- $500	continuous	Parents will be aware of student academic progress and programs. Positive communication between teacher, staff, administration, and parents. Parents will have participated by attending an extended day function, extra-curricular event, or program specific committee meeting or conference. Parents will have returned signed program agreement, handbook signature sheet, filled out appropriate program paper work and attended appropriate program parent meeting.	Title I Meeting Planned and Posted on Web site Newsletter inviting parental involvement to go out this month from H.S. Dear Parents, The Arp Schools are working to communicate more closely with parents for the benefit of each child. We are working on ways to keep you informed and an active part of the educational process. We have several new services that we hope you will take advantage of: (1) Parent Access to Grades online – learn more at: http://www.arp.sprnet.org/admin/News/2005_06/grades.htm (2) Parent Email contact information – learn more at: http://www.arp.sprnet.org/admin/News/2005_06/Parent_email.htm (3) Student reading and book lists available by grade level/department online: http://www.arp.sprnet.org/curric/student_reading_lists_by_grade_l.htm#12 This service has not been completed yet, but when it is complete we hope it will help you direct your child’s reading habits. (4) Parents are invited to become part of the Campus Improvement Committees. You can do this by contacting the campus principal or emailing them by selecting campus at: http://www.arp.sprnet.org/default/Campus_Infor.htm and then Clicking on their picture. (5) Arp High School’s curriculum is being expanded to include more articulated and innovative courses to motivate students with specific interests in trades and careers. We will be sending out more information later this spring along with information about the Texas Scholar Program. If you have any recommendations, suggestions, or concerns about curriculum, please feel free to contact me…Joy Rousseau joy@arpisd.org
2. Online grading program will be implemented in 2004 for pilot and given Web access to parents in 2005-06	School Board Approval, Tech Director	$12,000 Ornelas Gift Fund	Began September 2005	Pilot conducted successfully Web implementation has taken place as planned As of November 1, 2005 - 192 Parents have access to student online grades	Implemented with 380 parents participating. Have created ListServ for all parents emails by grade level so that teachers/administrator can email out notices and communications.
3. Develop mutually beneficial partnerships between schools and community entities.	Parents Teachers Administrators Students Curriculum Dir. Counselor Businesses PTO	PTO Arp State Bank Leo’s Burger Barn Terry’s Brookshires	Aug-May	Positive communication and relationships between the school and community. Terry's EXXON Grant ($500) Mrs. Ornelas' Gift ($3,000,000)	SUPERNet consortium has just partnered once again with Microsoft and Dell for new School Initiatives Arp has partnered with DLT for Wireless Tower Arp has partnered with TSTC & TJC for innovative and articulated classes
4. Provide human relations activities that will enable students to deal positively and effectively with people of diverse backgrounds, such as Veteran’s Day Celebration, Black History Month, Cinco de Mayo Celebration, Self-Esteem Program, Every 15 Minutes, Community Access TV Programming, Website News Highlights, and Counselor Corner	Teachers Principal Librarian Counselor Curr. Dir. Administration Local EMS	Region VII Drug Education Funds Local funds	Aug-May	Students will have increased appreciation of diverse cultures. 60% of new library books non-fiction and emphasize cultural diversity	Have successfully had Veteran's Day, Black History, and Motivational Speakers
5. Have an athletic field day at the high school track.	Staff Parents Students Teachers Principal	High School Track Facilities $300 local funds P.E. Equipment	May	Each child will have the opportunity to be successful in fitness activities. Conducted successfully
6. Students will perform at PTO meetings.	PTO Teachers Students Principal	None	Sept-May	More parent involvement in student activities and in the music program.
7. Provide information to parents concerning the 3 TIERS and 504 programs through handouts, parent conferences, "Meet the Tiger" BBQ Dinner for Community, Student Handbook, and school Website.	Administrators Teachers Counselor Curr. Dir.	$900 local funds & community donations	Aug-May	More parent involvement and knowledge of school programs, curriculum, and student achievement.	Newsletters, Web site, and PTO evens
8. Reallocate Computers to student checkout for at-risk students (TIER students), Achieve Now! and laptops.	Technology Coordinators	$300 Technology Funds (Modems)	Aug - May	Better relations with parents and students. Better knowledge of school technology services. Program partially implemented for special needs students	Have offered 8 Laptops and 12 Danas for student check out
9. All teachers will receive laptops and students with special needs and research projects will be allowed to check a laptop out from the Tech Dept.	Technology Director	TARGET Grants, District Funds	September – August	Number of Laptops checked out 66 laptops checked out in 2004-05 5 laptops not checked out	Have offered ALL teachers Laptops for check out
10. Meet the Teacher night for all three campuses to give program flyers to parents. Included in this night is a parent drawing for prizes. Advertise using posters, flyers, bank statement mail-out (1/2 sheet) in July. (School Calendar, sports calendar, activities) Send to the bank by June.	Principals	Local funds $100 X3	August 16, 2006	Number of parents involved in meet the teacher night.
11. Utilize Parent Organization to assist campuses in activities that have traditionally taken students needlessly out of the classroom -- decorating town for Homecoming, dances, Prom, etc.	Principals & Parent Organization	N/A	Begin Fall 2006	Number of parent volunteers per event
12. HOTCHALK grant was implemented to allow parents into lesson plans and assignments	H.S. Teachers	N/A	Began in Fall of 2005	Number of parents and students accessing resources
13. Implementation of Night Adult Computer Classes	TA Teachers	N/A	Began in Fall of 2005	Number of participants	Have had 10 Classes for Adults in Computer Applications -- funding benefited the Katrina Relief Effort

GOAL 3: All faculty and staff will be trained and certified in the SBEC Technology Application Competencies (8th grade computer literacy competencies. )* All staff will move from Level I to Level III Engaged-learner Competencies for transparent technology integration.

OBJECTIVES	PERSON(S) RESPONSIBLE	RESOURCES ALLOCATIONS	TIMELINE	EVALUATIONS	Progress as of 03/06/2006
1. Identify levels of competencies for all faculty and staff	Technology Director & Campus Technology Coordinators	District Staff Development Funds	Began Sept 2003 to present	Completion of Self - Inventory by teachers 2003 & 04 Completion of Technology Application Skills Assessment 2004-05 Completion of 4 Modules of Technology Integration 2005-06 Completion of STAR Charts 2004 & 05 by all faculty members	Surveys have been returned and staff development issues are being compiled. Recommendations from this committee are also needed.
2. All teachers will utilize district digital resources to record grades, attendance, student progress, curriculum alignment, assessments, and student works	School Board Approval, Principals, Tech Director	District, E-rate, TARGET grant, Ornelas Gift Fund	Begun in 2003, Resources updated in 2004-06	All teachers directed to use online grade book and attendance All teachers successfully submitted attendance and at least one six weeks in online grade book Wireless access was given to Ag and Band Hall buildings Curriculum Calendars digitized, a percentage of benchmarks placed on ClassServer Over 200 lessons placed on ClassServer for 24-7 access Still need all teachers to participate in development of online resources	Surveys show that teachers are not utilizing data as needed and so more staff development is scheduled for next August.
A Laptop will be given to each teacher for classroom	Campus Technology Coordinators	District Level	Continuous	Rubrics and # Web based Training Modules completed by teachers 40 Teachers completed INTEL (c) Training 4 Research Modules will be completed by Feb, 2006	80 Laptops have been issued
4. Train and mentor all teachers in 8th grade computer competencies and integration techniques using 3 Tiers of accountability (ClassServer)	Campus Technology Coordinators and TARGET Grant participants	TARGET grant	continuous	2 Training Sessions conducted in 2004 1 Training Session conducted in 2005 4 Modules completed by all teachers on ClassServer Module 3 will require teachers to create lessons on ClassServer in 2005-06 STAR Chart Evaluations revealed need for advanced skills in online productivity	More training is planned in August. Training sessions this year included: United Streaming Grade Book Video Use in Classroom COMPASS STAR Charts ClassServer
5. Train and monitor all teachers in eclectic strategies for differentiated lesson design to the benefit of all learners (ClassServer)	Principals	TARGET grant	continuous	Each Research Module is designed for direct acquisition of professional skills for differentiated instruction Evaluation & TAKS data suggests more skills are needed by faculty	Closer Monitoring Required
6. Allot multiple computers to classroom with trained teachers and highlight best practices in district. Title II Part D funded TCEA trip for any teacher in the district who wants to participate in Technology Integration Training.	School Board Approval, Curriculum Director	Ornelas Gift Funds Title II Part D	2005-06	12 Teachers attend TCEA 60 computers added to district inventory 20 older computers removed from service Best Practices included in Research Module Training TAKS and Module Evaluations demonstrate need for more Best Practice exposure and skills development	Junior HIgh New Lab completed Elementary -- all teachers with at least 5 computer who have requested them Junior H. -- requests have been filled accept 2 teachers--computers have been ordered H.S. All requests have been fulfilled accept 5 teachers, however computers have been ordered.
7. Certify classroom teachers as Master Trainers to assist integration of technology into curriculum.	Curriculum Director	N/A	200506	12 Mentor teachers identified through 2 TARGET grants	Target Grant and District Certification has been on-going

*GT Teachers maintain their certification by accruing credit hours in extended training. All faculty gain in-service in GT, discipline management, modification and improvement strategies, and technology.

Goal 4: Provide instructional resources, adequate reading material, staff development, and technology for each teacher, multiple student-computers in each classroom for student use, and connectivity established utilizing E-rate funding.

OBJECTIVES	PERSON(S) RESPONSIBLE	RESOURCES ALLOCATIONS	TIMELINE	EVALUATIONS	Progress as of 03/06/2006
1. Provide a network compatible TAKS acceleration software to provide skills for TIER students.	Curriculum Director	District Funds and Special Education Coop Funds	2005-06	L&M Software purchased for Math Acceleration LMS Software Purchased for 6-12 Grade Math acceleration Writing Program purchased for High School Have Region VII Grant to coordinate Math Text and Materials K-8 Purchased Manipulatives, Measuring Devices and Secured Region VII Training Grant for K-8 in Math Writing Program Successful as per TAKS evaluation Science Instruction needs to follow best practices.	Junior High purchased their software High School has selected NOVA Net --not purchased yet Elementary has selected SuccessMaker -- Not purchased yet. Pearson's Benchmark and diagnostic Tests have been set up and training manuals completed for training to take place after Spring Break.
2. Provide core subject teachers with research-based instructional strategies for student success through summer workshops and growth plans	Principals, Region VII Workshops, Curriculum Director	District Funds	2005--06	Research Modules designed to assist teachers COMPASS disaggregated Database purchased for all educators Region VII Summer Workshops District Staff Development	Differentiated Strategies Workshop given in January. Additional training has been request for August http://www.kolakgroup.com/
3. Provide district with program descriptions for all curriculum areas	Principals, Department Chairs, Curriculum Director	District Funds	2005-2006	Number of program descriptions completed Ability to evaluate programs by descriptions	70% completed Program Descriptions Still need K-8 SS Math - Content Mastery K-12 Special Ed K-12
4. Provide students a way to reclaim credit or accelerate credits through a credit recovery/acceleration program	Board of Trustees, Superintendent, Curriculum Director, Principals	District Funds	Evaluations of Programs 2004-05 Implement by Fall 2005	Ability of students to stay on at least a 4-year graduation path. Credit Recovery through Virtual High School Credit by Exam through Texas Tech	Has NOT been ordered yet
5 Establish interactive video network for dual credit courses with colleges and/or universities.	Technology Director	District Funds/ State Technology Allotment	2005-06	Purchase conducted Courses initiated	Have signed agreements for next year
6. Additional library books and reading materials at all grade levels	Librarian and committee	ARI funding and Local Funding	2005-06	Successful purchased non-fiction books with emphasis on cultural diversity for all 3 libraries	District Initiative has been for cultural diverse reading materials. Mrs. Chessir has purchased for each campus.
7. Implement effective & efficient resource sharing through library media center, distance learning facilities with college programs, and Internet direct connectivity.	School Board Approval, Technology Director	Ornelas Gift Funds	2004-05 2005-06	Successfully purchased new library server and Web-based Library program for entire district. Purchased STAR Math/STAR Reading, Fluency and AR Web-based	New Library Resource has been implemented online
8. Implement handheld technologies in the core curriculum classrooms for student research and data manipulation.	Technology Director, Campus Technology Assistants	Technology Allotment	2005-06	Not yet initiated	Not Initiated

Goal 5: Quality Instruction to promote individual student success will result from a well-balanced and appropriately scoped and sequenced curriculum for all students in the least restrictive environment. A well-balanced curriculum will be taught so that all stu