ARP ISD
DISTRICT IMPROVEMENT PLAN
2003-2004
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.
Executive
Summary
Arp Schools utilize improvement
committees, teacher, student, and parental surveys, informal and formal group
evaluations, benchmark tests, formal and informal assessments, PEIMS data, and
TAKS testing as sources for our needs assessment district-wide. The school identifies resources,
and manpower to develop a community-wide vision for student achievement,
technology integration, professional development, technical support, and open
access to continuous learning for all stake holders. The District Planning
Committee includes: administrators, students, parents, board members, community
members, and partners from the University of Texas at Tyler Health Science
Center, Discovery Science Center, Tyler Junior College, Texas State Technical
College, Classic Communications Cable Company of Arp, NETNet (Northeast Texas Network of
Colleges, Medical Facilities, and Libraries) and SUPERNet (Schools United
to Provide Enhanced Resources) Consortium of 17 school districts. Arp is
one of the three founding members of SUPERNet and has been involved in planning
and grant writing for over 8 years.
The district offers all stake
holders enriched instruction, diverse strategies and instructional
opportunities, tutorials, extended day instruction, online course materials,
small-group acceleration classes, tier-one access to the Internet, ITV,
Web servers, remote access and modem pools, ERATE adjusted T-1 lines and
infrastructure. The district provides professional development through
SEDL, TIE, INTEL(c), KIDS, multiple TARGET grants, and ESC7 to all staff
members. The vision of AISD has
been shaped by the pervading core values that all students can learn, all
students deserve enriched curriculum, and all students need real-world skills to
succeed. The vision of the Arp Schools Improvement Committee is to provide all
students with the necessary learning environment, nurturing, and vision to
become productive, highly-skilled, successful citizens. Currently, Arp
Independent School District (AISD) encompasses three campuses in two physical
locations (Pre-Kindergarten, Head Start, through fifth grade and sixth through
twelfth grade), employs 78 teachers, 6 administrators, and services
approximately 960 students in the rural
Previously, the lack of
available educational resources, communication technologies, and research
facilities led Arp ISD to implement a district-wide information network and
staff development agenda to revamp the delivery of instruction. Arp has been the
recipient of numerous TIF, TIE, TARGET, Challenge, INTEL(c), and TEA grants. (See
http://www.arp.sprnet.org/default/District/GRANTS/grant.htm
) All classrooms
and common areas in the district are wired with 5 or more drops and each campus
has full interconnectivity supported by a fiber backbone. The physical network is completed with
proxy, firewall and spam filters, email, productivity, Web, application, remote
access, Library, CD-Rom towers, and Business and Student PEIMS servers. Each
campus has multiple computer labs for training and research
projects. Each campus library has 10 to 15 drops. The district has been granted a
“head-in” to broadcast over Classic Cable channel 7. This channel is utilized by students to
create educational TV and video productions.
The district’s needs
assessments generated plans for:
(1) Better alignment of curriculum through Six-Weeks Curriculum Calendars
and benchmark testing from K-8 and 9-12th grades in the four core
subject areas (2) fully equipping special needs students with portable
technologies to assist in skills development and to level the playing field,
especially for dyslexic and dysgraphic students, (3) Implementation of a
district-wide 3-Tier Program for NCLB & SSI to serve students in the regular
classroom, in small study groups, in acceleration classes in enriched and
foundation subject areas using eclectic strategies and technologies (4) Earlier
identification of children in need of knowledge and skills acceleration using a
Yearly Expectation Assessment given before a student enters any grade or course
work. (6) evaluation and expansion of Virtual School components on ClassServer
and ITV to serve all students 24-7, (7) certifying and documenting all faculty
and staff in the core subject area
strategies including technology application competencies (8) extending student
college credits and certifications through such as:
MOUS, A+, CAD, Web Master, and Cisco Networking, AP Classes, online virtual high school courses, and
adult educational opportunities
(9) Initiating new classes in
content mastery and reading recovery (10) Implementing a parental liaison and
parental involvement policy for the district (11) and employing only highly qualified and
certified teachers in the district.
The greatest areas of need for
student achievement in the district were identified in Math and
Goal #1 Parents
will be full partners with the district in the education of their
children.
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OBJECTIVES |
PERSON(S) RESPONSIBLE |
RESOURCES ALLOCATIONS |
TIMELINE |
EVALUATION FORMATIVE/ SUMMATIVE |
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1. The Parent/Teacher Organization (PTO) will support and adopt strategies for promoting campus & district improvement stratgies including extended learning through evening training of adults via distance learning. 2. Remote Access given to district and community for distance learning 3. TigerVision (community access channel broadcasting from high school studio) will support community distance learning through student-produced video broadcasts. 4. Student ShowCase OpenHouse will allow students to show parents and community their work, electronic portfolios, multimedia projects, videos, Websites, talents and skills. 5. Parent Information nights will be scheduled for 8th grade enrollment and to explain acceleration programs, Recommended High School Program, Dual Credit, CATE, and Articulation Courses. 6. District Programs will distribute brochures to parents explaining initiatives and student opportunities |
Principal, PTO, Technology Committee PTO & Technology Committee Video Technology Students & Facilitator Principals, Teachers, Counselor, Principal, Curriculum Director Curriculum Director, Dept Chairs |
TEA TARGET Grants TEA TARGET Grants & ERATE District Funds KIDS Grant TARGET Grant District Funds District Funds |
Begin in August 2003 continuous continuous Bi-annually Annually in May Annually in August |
Involvement Evaluations Faculty and parental surveys Program reviews & community involvement Attendance & participation Technology committee evaluation Participant Evaluations Successful enrollment of students into Recommended High School Programs Creation, Distribution of brochures |
Goal 2: Parents and other community members will be partners in the improvement of the school.
By May
2004, 50% of parents will be partners in the improvement of schools.
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ACTIVITY/STRATEGY |
PERSON
RESPONSIBLE |
RESOURCE
ALLOCATION |
TIMELINE |
EXPECTED OUTCOMES OF
EVALUATION |
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1. Increase communication between teachers and parents regarding the academic performance and development of students through the use of PARENT INVOLVMENT Policy incorporating 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, 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, school Website, and parent liaison. |
Principal Superintendent PTO Teachers Parents Aides Counselor Curr. Dir. Parent Liaison |
$1000 local funds Head-Start funds Title I funds |
Aug-May |
Parents will be aware of student academic progress and programs. Positive communication between teacher, staff, administration, and parents. |
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2. Develop mutually beneficial partnerships between schools and community entities |
Parents Teachers Administrators Students Curriculum Dir. Counselor Businesses PTO |
PTO Chamber of Commerce Arp State Bank Leo’s Burger Barn Terry’s Brookshire’s Various available sources |
Aug-July |
Positive communication and relationships between the school and community, coordinated activities such as “Every 15 Minutes”, reading bazaar, Christmas parade floats, marketing classes and student employers. |
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3. 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, Self-Esteem Program, Every 15 Minutes, Community Access TV Programming, Website News Highlights, Character Counts Program, and Counselor |
Teachers Principal Librarian Counselor Curr. Dir. Administration Local |
Region VII Drug Education Funds Local funds |
Aug-May |
Students will have increased appreciation of diverse cultures. |
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4. 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. |
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5. Students will perform at PTO meetings. |
PTO Teachers Students Principal |
None |
Sept-May |
More parent involvement in student activities and in the music program. |
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6. Provide information to parents concerning the S.O.S and 504 programs through handouts, parent conferences, Band 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. |
|
7. Due to the success of the Free Computer Camp this summer, resume each summer for parents and students. |
Technology Coordinators |
$300 Technology Funds |
May – July |
Better relations with parents and students. Better knowledge of school technology services. |
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8. 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. for extended education opportunities in the home using “Last Mile” Federal Grant for Wireless Technologies |
Technology Director |
TARGET Grants Federal Grant |
September – August |
Number of Laptops checked out, number of extended learning opportunities. |
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9. Parents will receive information through the District SSI & NCLB Three TIER Policy reports http://www.arp.sprnet.org/admin/NCLB/NCLB_FlowChart.htm AND Brochure http://www.arp.sprnet.org/admin/NCLB/NCLB.htm |
Principals, Curriculum Director, Teachers, Parents |
District Funds for newsletters and brochures ($1000) Title 1 Funds for Tutoring $5000 per campus SCE Funds for enrichment materials -- $10,000 |
Began September, 2003 |
TAKS passage and successful mastery of content core material |
GOAL 3: All faculty and staff will be trained
and certified in the 8th grade computer literacy competencies. * All staff will
move from Level I to Level III Engaged-learner Competencies for transparent
technology integration.
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OBJECTIVES |
PERSON(S)
RESPONSIBLE |
RESOURCES ALLOCATIONS |
TIMELINE |
EVALUATIONS |
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1. Identify levels of competencies for all faculty and staff 2. All teachers will utilize district digital resources to record grades, attendance, student progress, assessments, and student works 3. A Laptop will be given to each teacher for classroom use who completes INTEL© or comperable training. 4. Train and mentor all teachers in 8th grade computer competencies and integration techniques using 3 Tiers of accountability. 5. Train and monitor all teachers in eclectic strategies for differentiated lesson design to the benefit of all learners. 6. Allot multiple computers to classroom with trained teachers and highlight best practices in district. 7.
Certify classroom teachers as Master Trainers to assist integration
of technology into curriculum. |
Campus Principals, Technology Coordinators |
District Level INTEL & TARGET Grants Technology Funds, KIDS Grant Printers from Instructional Funds District Funds District Funds for Inserve INTEL, TARGET, & TIF Grant Technology Funds Eisenhower Grants, District Funds, and
|
September-October STaR Charts, Continuous Continuous
Continuous perpetual perpetual |
Rubrics and # Web based Training Modules completed by teachers # of Laptops to teachers # of Teachers on Level Three Technology Integration Tier # of lesson plans which are submitted with appropriate design # of highlighted classrooms with best practice examples # of Teachers who reach Level Three of Technology Integration Tiers |
*GT Teachers
maintain their certification by acruing credit hours in extended training. All faculty gains inservice in GT,
discipline management, modification and improvement strategies, and
technology.
Successful
practices are highlighted in the district and are shared with the entire
faculty. Student presenters are
active in creating videos and multimedia presentations for conferences and
sharing on the community access channel.
(Students have participated in TEL ED ‘97, ’98 T.I.E. ’97 - 2001, TCEA
’98, ’99, 2000. 2001, 2002, 2003 and the TIGER Global Projects at TASB ‘98 and
TASA / TASB ‘2002.)
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.
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OBJECTIVES |
PERSON(S) RESPONSIBLE |
RESOURCES ALLOCATIONS |
TIMELINE |
EVALAUATIONS |
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1. Provide a network compatable gradebook & attendance program for all classroom teachers 2. Lower student to computer ratio from 5 to 1 to 3 to 1. 3. Certify all teacher in use of application software at the 8th grade computer literacy level. 5. Eliminate handwritten lesson plans with electronically produced lesson plans – implement virtual school 6. Establish interactive video network for dual credit courses with colleges and/or universities. 7. Write grant for additional library
books and reading materials at all grade levels 8 . Implement effective & efficient resource sharing through library media center, distance learning facilities with college programs, and Internet direct connectivity. 9.
Implement handheld technologies in the core curriculum classrooms
for student research and data manipulation. |
Tech Department Campus Technology Coordinators and student A+ Technicians Campus Technology Coordinators & INTEL Master Trainers Principals & Trainers School Board, Superintendent, and Technology Committee TSTC, NetNet Curriculum
Director & Committees Curriculum
Director Department
Chairs & Tech Director |
Software available in the district District Funds Endowment District Funds, INTEL, Microsoft District Funds & TARGET Grant E-rate, Channel 1 TARGET Grant Technology Allotment District Funds, Title Funds
N/A KIDS
Grant |
Since February, 2001 By
continuous September, 2003 By By
January, 2005 continuous By
October, 2003 |
Sitebase evaluation of product Ratio reduction INTEL post evaluation Number of Teacher Certifications Number of lesson plans digitized Number of students & community members served Reading Improvement via STAR test Lesson Plans with handheld technologies integrated |
Goal 5: Quality Instruction to promote
individual student success will result from a well-balanced and appropriately
scoped and sequenced curriculum for all students.
A well-balanced curriculum will be
taught so that all students may realize their learning potential and prepare for
productive lives. By May 2004, a TEKS-based curriculum
will be implemented within each grade level so that 95% of students master grade
level TEKS.
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OBJECTIVES |
PERSON(S) RESPONSIBLE |
RESOURCES ALLOCATION |
TIMELINE |
EVALUATION |
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1. Implement Department Chairs to assist in the Scope & Sequence of TEKS K-12, enrichment, modifications, and integration techniques. 2 Provide each student with a syllabus and Rubric of Mastery for each class for each six weeks. 3 Provide tutorials and small classes for students who are at risk (STAR) of not passing the state mandated tests. 4. Provide students with accelerated curriculum,
articulated, dual, and concurrent courses, and distance learning
opportunities to graduate early
( 4.
Provide all
students with the Least Restrictive Environment for education according to
the CAP
Plan 5.
Implement
DECA to assist in the reduction of dropouts due to economic
factors. |
Curriculum Director & Principals Classroom Teachers, Principals Classroom Teachers & Principals Curriculum Director & Principals Principals & Teachers DECA Director |
Vertical & Horizontal Teaming Techniques Web site publication Activity Periods TARGET Grant Title 1, $300 SCE, local Carl Perkins Funds |
continuous perpetually perpetually August, 2003 Perpetually perpetual |
Formative, Six Weeks evaluations, and semester evaluations Student & parent surveys Students passing state tests improving by 20% for each group # of early graduates # of students in mainstream # of dropout reduced |
5-b: By
May 2004, a TEKS-based curriculum will be implemented within each grade level so
that 96% of students master grade level TEKS.
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ACTIVITY/STRATEGY |
PERSON
RESPONSIBLE |
RESOURCE
ALLOCATION |
TIMELINE |
EXPECTED OUTCOMES OF
EVALUATION |
|
1. Review and revise the local curriculum to meet TEKS and TAKS objectives using additional waiver days from the state for staff development in areas of need. Fund Department Chairs during summer to complete phase I of Scope & Sequence restructuring |
Principal Teachers Curriculum Specialist |
District Waiver Days $5500 District Funds to pay Department Chairs |
Begin July 2003 -- May 2005 |
Increased student achievement. Develop Six Weeks Rubrics and Benchmark Tests. Student success on benchmark tests |
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2. Integrate Right Choice/Character Counts programs into all curriculum areas |
Principal Curriculum Sp. Teachers Staff Parents Students |
Right Choice Program Character Counts Materials |
Aug-May daily |
Increased student self-esteem, respect for others, and responsible behaviors that result in less discipline referrals. |
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3. Strengthen curriculum with the following strategies: AR, incorporate math strategies into K-5 lessons, use manipulatives, TAKS booklets, Mountain Math and Language, Computer Lab, journal writing, and incorporating writing TEKS into the writing process. |
Principal Teachers Students Parents |
$5,000 Compensatory Funds ESC7 TARGET Grant SUPERNet TARGET Grant |