Capstone Project

CapstoneProjectEllicott School District 22Debbie WomackRegis UniversityJune 2012

Action Plan Rationale In 2009, Ellicott School District 22 adopted the Write Tools

Program, which was designed to assist in the increase of academic achievement in student writing. While the program had the potential to achieve this goal, the training and fidelity in implementation has not been achieved.

Yearly staff turnover, a prolonged and continual reduction in funding, and lack of strategic focus has greatly limited the effectiveness of the program since its adoption.

As a result, new staff did not receive initial program training, nor were update or follow-up trainings provided to returning staff. These factors prevented the full implementation and integration of the program across all content levels and grades throughout the district.

Action Plan Rationale Continued

The overall result was that administration and staff witnessed a fluctuation in CSAP and other assessment writing scores.

The professional development focus for the fall of 2011-12 was data retrieval, comprehension, usage, and dialogue for the purpose of writing campus and district Unified Improvement Plans (UIP).

Professional Development training for all Ellicott School District staff was provided by Mary Beth Romke, The Center for Transforming Learning & Teaching.

Action Plan Rationale Continued In the Middle School’s 2011-12 UIP, the administration and staff

identified writing and reading as priority challenges and through PLC discussions it was ascertained that strategies such as the revitalization of Write Tools for improving writing and reading scores needed to be implemented.

In February 2012, the district received a best practices grant, which would allow for renewed training and refocus in implementing the Write Tools program. Literacy and Language Arts teachers from all academic levels, K-12, would be selected to attend a Write Tools Training during the summer. That team, along with administrators, would be responsible for program implementation and fidelity.

The timing was apropos to the design of this action plan.

Action Plan Desired Outcomes

The desired outcome goals of this action plan will be to:

Develop an instructional framework for Ellicott Middle School in the areas of writing and reading (literacy) that will meet or exceed Colorado Academic Standards by the end of the 2012-2013 school year.

Develop an instructional scope and sequence in the curriculum maps for grades 6-8 in writing and reading (literacy) that will align with the new Colorado State Standards for content mastery and student achievement.

Action Plan Goals Continued

Develop a Timeline for Implementation Develop a Possible Barriers List Develop a Resource List Develop a Task List Develop a Communication Plan Develop Program Evaluation, Assessment and Progress

Monitoring tools To be implemented by the Language Arts teachers in grades 6-8

during the 2012-13 school year under the supervision of the Ellicott Middle School Principal, Chris Smith, Director of Curriculum, Diane Garduno, and Debbie Womack, plan designer.

SMART GOALSStudent Achievement

By the end of the 2012-2013 school year, 60% of Ellicott Middle School students in grades 6-8 will score proficient and/or advanced in writing as measured on the 2013 TCAP exam.

By the end of the 2012-2013 school year, 72% of Ellicott Middle School students in grades 6-8 will score proficient and/or advanced in reading as measured on the 2013 TCAP exam.

Student AchievementEllicott Middle School

Federal and State Expectations

2011 Federal and State Expectations 2011 School Results 1 yr. 3 yr. 1yr. 3yr.

Writing 57.8% 58.3% 40.6% 42.0%

Reading 71.4% 71.4% 51.9% 56.7%

Source: CDE: Performance Framework

CSAP Content CSAP WRITING Grade Level 2009 EMS 2009 CO Dif. 2010 EMS 2010 CO Dif. 2011 EMS 2011 CO Dif.

6th Grade 42% 60% -18% 45% 57% -12% 51% 62% -11%

7th Grade 39% 61% -22% 45% 58% -13% 34% 59% -25%

8th Grade 42% 52% -10% 39% 55% -16% 41% 55% -14%

Middle School Student Achievement Trends in Writing

Source: Ellicott Middle School UIP-2011-2012

Middle School Trend Analysis in Writing

The CSAP scores in writing at the 6th grade have consistently fluctuated since 2009 and are between 11% to 18% below the state average.



Source: Ellicott Middle School UIP-2011-2012

Priority Performance Challenges and Root Cause for Ellicott Middle School in Writing

Priority Challenge: Students in all grade levels scoring proficient and advanced in writing has remained flat or has declined over the past three years, while the percentage of students who scored partially proficient or unsatisfactory has increased.

Root Cause: The Writing Curriculum is not implemented consistently by all teachers in all subjects because professional development priorities have not addressed the needs of new staff in terms of training them in the district’s writing curriculum.

Middle School Academic Growth in Writing

6th grade

8th grade

7th grade

Middle School Writing

Strengths Saw some improvement

in 2011 CSAP writing scores in grades 6 & 8

Teachers are committed to improving writing in all content areas

Administration is making writing a priority

Challenges There are gaps in writing

skills across all grade levels Middle School scores

consistently do not meet Colorado CSAP scores in writing across all grade levels

Providing consistent and yearly training for staff is difficult due to reduced funding for professional development

Middle School Student Achievement Trends in Reading

CSAP Content CSAP READING

Grade Level 2009 EMS 2009 CO Dif. 2010 EMS 2010 CO Dif. 2011 EMS 2011 CO Dif.

6th Grade 61% 72% -11% 53% 72% -19% 58% 71% -13%

7th Grade 52% 67% -15% 61% 68% -7% 47% 67% -20%

8th Grade 62% 64% -2% 60% 68% -8% 54% 67% -13%

Middle School Trend Analysis in Reading

The CSAP scores in reading at the 6th grade have consistently fluctuated since 2009 and are between 11% to 19% below the state average.



Ellicott School 22 District UIP

Priority Performance Challenge and Root Cause for Ellicott Middle School in Reading Priority Performance Challenge: The percent of

students scoring proficient and advanced in CSAP reading has been inconsistent in all Middle School Grades since 2009.

Root Cause Analysis: Teachers have not received effective data analysis training so as to be able to consistently, systematically, and effectively change reading instructional methods.

Middle School AcademicGrowth in Reading

6th grade

7th grade

8th grade

Middle School Reading

Strengths Reading across the grade

levels is showing some improvement

Teachers are using data more to guide instruction

Professional development is being provided in reading and interpreting the data

Challenges Improving comprehension

skills Improving vocabulary

skills Decreasing gaps in literacy Increasing progress

monitoring during the 2012-13 SY for students who score U or PP on the 2011 TCAP

Student DisciplineMiddle School

Behavior39%

Bus23%

Classroom disruption

10%

Tardy5%

PDA9%

Lanugage9%

Fights5%

Middle SchoolStudent Discipline

Strengths Students prefer to be at

school during the day Student problems are

marginal compared to urban schools

The number of fights at the middle school is relatively low

Drugs and alcohol use is relatively minimal

Challenges Classroom behavior:

talking out, disrespect, not turning in work, off task behavior seems to be the largest problem

Students who are out of classrooms due to discipline issues lose valuable instructional time, which impacts achievement scores

Bus issues is the second largest problem

Budget Strengths

The district has received a grant to increase professional development for teachers

The BOE has approved the addition of three full-time in Language Arts for the 2012-13 school year

The 2012-13 budget includes requests for additional teaching staff for the middle school

Challenges Getting the proposed

budget approved by the BOE

Making sure that all new staff receive the “Write Tools” training early enough in the school year so as to impact writing scores on the 2013 TCAP

Middle School Parent Involvement Strengths

Booster Clubs PTA Coaching sports, clubs Volunteer at the campus Parent Surveys Parent/Teacher Conferences Fundraisers Back to School Nights SAC DAC School Board Meetings

Challenges Parent Volunteers at school

events Developing a parent

volunteer program Finding a coordinator to run

the parent volunteer program Time needed to develop and

implement a structured parent volunteer program

Engaging parents in the team approach to increase student achievement

Middle School Culture

Strengths Teachers participate in monthly

professional development days where training and PLC opportunities are provided

Teachers are offered opportunities to participate in leadership roles and committees

Teachers sponsor student activities and clubs

Teachers are assigned weekly duties Teachers assist with roles for sporting

events There are monthly pot-luck lunches and

teacher recognition awards Monthly, the campus principals

recognize students, teachers, and members of the community for their work to the board

Challenges Everybody does a lot to meet

the needs of the students to offer them a well-rounded school experience.

Getting all content areas to emphasize the importance of achievement writing and literacy to students

Teachers and staff feel the strain of all the responsibility

There is burn-out and many people view Ellicott as a transitional district for staff

Action PlanMonth2012-13

Activities Persons(s)Responsible

Resources Barriers Tasks/Interventions Evidence ofSuccess

June 13-14, 2012

• 6/13/12: In Focus Curriculum Mapping Administrator Training

• 6/14/12 In Focus Curriculum Mapping Teacher Training

• Campus Principals

• Assistant Principals

• Curriculum Director

• Instructional Staff

• Best practices grant funds,

• Administration and instructional staff

• Redesigning the master schedule to allow for 2 LA classes per day

• Being able to utilize existing curriculum maps and incorporating them into the new mapping program

• Task:Administration and staff will incorporate existing curriculum maps with the new In Focus maps that have been aligned with the new CO state standards

• Intervention: Meet with principal and registrar about the master schedule

• New curriculum maps aligned with new CO standards that includes a well-developed writing and reading scope and sequence

• Middle School Language Arts will have 2 classes per day

July 2012

• Write Tools training with Kristy Lyles; Date: TBA

• Develop Curriculum Maps with instructional scope and sequence that align to new CO standards

• Review researched- based literacy strategies


• Language Arts teachers

• Other selected staff

• Best Practices grant funds

• Stipends for teachers

• Write Tools materials

• Researched-based literacy strategies

• Availability of staff for summer training dates to justify costs for training

• Time to fully evaluated literacy strategies

• Curriculum Director and Teachers will receive a comprehensive training in the use of Write Tools

• Schedule Write Tools training for Sept. 2012

• Completed maps for writing and literacy instruction

• Weekly and monthly writing prompts with rubrics

• List of mastery of skills grades 6-8


Activities/Strategies Persons(s)Responsible


Aug. 2012

• New Staff Development (8/2-3/12)

• All returning Staff Development (8/7-9/12)

• Introduce Middle School writing and reading plan

• Introduce Middle School writing and reading maps with instructional scope and sequence


• Campus Principal

• Leadership team

• District Professional Development funds

• District Leadership team

• Time to articulate the plan to staff

• Not having all maps and plan components completed by Aug. 1

• Task: Assimilate new staff to district expectations

• Task: Introduce the Middle School writing and reading plan

• Intervention: Provide adequate data to show need

• Plan is ready for staff presentation

• Curriculum Maps ready for implementation

Sept. 2012

• Write Tools training provided to new staff and all returning staff

• Review 1st quarter exams to make changes and align with new CO standards

• NWEA (MAPS) testing,• Review 2012 TCAP data• Adjust maps to address gaps

and enrich student learning


• Campus Principal

• Middle School Language Arts teachers

• Leadership team

• Best Practices grant funds

• Staff• 2012TCAP

Data• 2012 NWEA

Data• New

Curriculum Maps

• Write Tools program

• Literacy resources

• Time for staff to meet, for data dialogue

• Time to work on curriculum maps

• Task: Provide Write Tools training

• Task: Review 2012 TCAP and NWEA data

• Task: Evaluate data

• Task: Work on curriculum maps

• Intervention: Provide time to review and discuss data

• Middle School Language Arts staff meets for two hours weekly to discuss, evaluate, make changes

• Have data dialogue sessions and work on curriculum maps




Oct.-Dec. 2012

• Write Tools implementation• Weekly lesson plans that

demonstrate how Write Tools is being implemented

• Monthly PLC meetings (10/19, 11/9, 12/14) to discuss writing and literacy

• Work on curriculum maps for 2nd semester

• Principal• Curriculum

Director• Leadership

Team• Middle

School LA Teachers



• TCAP Data• NWEA (MAPS)

Data• Lesson Plans• Curriculum

maps• Chart Paper,• Markers

• Time for PLC meetings

• Teachers not using data to guide instruction

• Time for lesson planning

• Task: Discuss lesson plans with teachers

• Task: Teachers are progress monitoring monthly

• Intervention: One-half day PLC to review data, assess progress, challenges, and needed changes for 2nd semester

• Teachers are using data to drive instruction

• Collected progress monitoring data is demonstrating growth

Jan-March 2013

• Weekly Lesson Plans for writing and literacy

• PLC meetings (1/18, 2/15, 3/8)• TCAP Exam



Team• Middle

School LA Teachers



• TCAP Data• NWEA (MAPS)

Data• Lesson Plans• Curriculum

maps

• Time for PLC meetings

Task: Use data to guide instructionIntervention: Set specific time during PLC days to have discussions with Middle School LA teachers

• Progress monitoring shows growth

• Jan. NWEA (MAPS) exam demonstrates improvement in writing and literacy



Resources Barriers Tasks/Interventions

Evidence ofSuccess

April-May 2013

• Weekly Lesson plans that demonstrate literacy strategies and implementation of Write Tools

• Review Curriculum maps during PLC meetings



team• Middle

School LA teachers

• Write tools program

• Researched-based literacy strategies

• NWEA (MAPS) data

• Progress Monitoring data

• Time at end of year• Energy levels of

teachers

• Task: Weekly discussions with Middle School LA teachers

• Intervention: Provide 1 day for review of program evaluation and plan for next school year

• Student growth in literacy and writing

• Student achievement in literacy and writing as demonstrated in collected data

• SMART goals met (Results in August)

• Successful implementation of Write Tools with fidelity by all stakeholders

• Successful completion of all tasks

Documents

Capstone Project