JAMAA LEARNING CENTER...The lowest response on the teacher survey was to the statement “the school has a clearly defined, high quality curriculum.” The second lowest response was

November 2015

JAMAA LEARNING CENTER

ANNUAL SPONSOR REPORT 2014-2015 ACADEMIC YEAR

U n i v e r s i t y o f M i s s o u r i

Charter School Operations College of Education

Office of Charter School Operations General Information

Vision

Challenging all learners to reach their full potential.

Mission Improve the quality and performance of charter schools in Missouri by collaborating with

stakeholders to achieve exceptional educational outcomes for all students. PERSONNEL

Columbia and Kansas City St. Louis Deborah Carr, Executive Director [email protected]

Earl Simms, St. Louis Director [email protected]

Lisa Weaver, Assistant Director [email protected]

Shanika Harris, St. Louis Liaison [email protected]

Jennifer M. Wilmot, Kansas City Liaison [email protected]

Gerry Kettenbach, St. Louis Liaison [email protected]

CONTACT INFORMATION MU Charter School Operations 302 Hill Hall College of Education University of Missouri Columbia, Missouri 65211

Phone: 573.882.7538 Fax: 573.303.0438 Email: [email protected]

CollegeofEducationOfficeofCharterSchoolOperationsJamaaLearningCenterAnnualReport

TableofContents

Page Executive Summary

2

Focus Area I: Governance

3

Focus Area II: Finances & Operations 4 Focus Area III: Culture & Environment Focus Area IV: Academic Outcomes

5 6

Appendix: Survey Results

7

Office of Charter School Operations JLC Annual Report 2014-2015

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CollegeofEducationOfficeofCharterSchoolOperationsJamaaLearningCenterAnnualReport

ExecutiveSummaryThe2014‐2015schoolyearisthefourthyearinanoriginalfive‐yearcharterwiththeUniversityofMissouri.InaletterdatedJune30,2015,OCSOindicatedthatattheendofthenextschoolyear,itwillallowthechartertolapse,butthatoversightwouldbeprovideduntilthattime.OurannualmonitoringactivitiesresultedinthefollowinggeneralconcernsthatJamaaLearningCenter(JLC)maywishtoaddressastheypursueotheravenuestocontinueoperation.Specifically:

Theschoolhascontinuedtostrugglefinanciallywithoutaplanforremediationorsignificantexternalfundraisingorgrantwritingactivity.

Theschoolhasnotyetestablishedastablestudentculturethataffordsallstudentsasafeandorderlyenvironmentwhereallareabletofocusandlearn.

Academicperformanceisacontinuedconcern.ThesefindingsaredescribedinmoredetailbelowandadditionalevidencecanbefoundinthestaffandteachersurveyresultsintheAppendix.


2

GOVERNANCE

Board

OperationsandPolicies

Theboardmaywishtoreviewpoliciesandproceduresto

incorporateupdatestothefederalchangesinfiscalrequirements(OMNI).

Theboardandschoolneedtoaddressseparationofdutiesissuesthathavebeenraisedintheannualaudits.

Boardminutesandagendasneedtobepostedonthewebsite. Attendanceatboardmeetingsissporadic,oftenrequiring

cancellationatthelastminute. Onlytwomembersrespondedtothesponsorsurvey,thusallowing

noabilitytoprovidevalidfeedback.

Board

Development

Theboardaddedonememberthisyear. Individualorwhole‐boardtrainingisrecommended.

BoardPlanning

Theboardhasengagedinstrategicplanningwithaconsultantthis

year.

School

Oversight

Schoolleadersregularlyattendandreportatboardmeetings. TheboardhasnotheldtheCEOorotherschoolleadersto

measurableperformancestandards. Theboardisover‐reliantontheCEOtomanageallactivities,

financialandacademic.


3

FINANCES&OPERATIONS Inadequate Approaching

MeetsExpectations

ExceedsExpectations

FiscalHealth&

Stability

Theschoolcontinuestooperatewithadeficitthatrequirestaking

loanstomeetASBRcarryoverrequirements,withoutwhichtheschoolwouldbeconsideredfinanciallydistressed.

Theschoolcarriesconsistentlyhighpayablesandunpaidloans. Budgetsarenotstablethroughouttheyear,requiringfrequent

adjustments. ThelenderisexpectedtoseekaresolutionregardingtheDelmar

building.

DataCollection&Reporting

Jamaagenerallymeetsreportingandcompliancerequirementsand

deadlines. TherewereissuesinreportingdailyattendancetoDESE.However,

thesehavebeenresolved.

General

Operations

Facilitieshavesomedeferredmaintenanceandteachersandstaff

reportlackofnecessarysuppliesandequipment.

FundraisingandGrants

Littlesuccessfulfundraisingorgrantactivity,howevertheboarddid

startacapitalcampaign. Inadequateboardandstaffexpertiseorresourcestoengagein

fundraisingorgrantwriting.


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CULTURE&

ENVIRONMENT Inadequate ApproachingMeets

ExpectationsExceeds

Expectations

Leadership

Teachersandstaffreportapositiveandsupportiveenvironment.

Physical

Environment

Theschoolhassomedeferredmaintenance. Teachers,staffandstudentsfindtheenvironmenttobelessthansafe

andorderly.

Culture

Theleadershipteamisflexibleandsupportiveofeachotherandthe

otherteachers. WhileteachersandstafffeelJamaaisasupportivefamily,serious

cultureissuesremain. Theschoolstilllacksaconsistentlyappliedschoolwidebehavior

plan. Itisclearfromsitevisitdatathatsometeachersareoverwhelmedby

afewstudentsandtheydonothaveadequatesupporttoaddressthechallenges.

Studentandteacherturnoverwerehigh.

Outreach

Therehavebeenfewparentorcommunitycomplaints. Jamaacontinuestoengagewithnumerouscommunitypartnersto

provideadditionalservicesandopportunitiesforstudents.


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ACADEMICOUTCOMES Inadequate Approaching

MeetsExpectations

ExceedsExpectations

Assessments

2014MAPresultsplaceJamaanearthebottomofthestateandall

charterschools. Theschoolusesmultipleassessments,buttheboardisnotprovided

consistentreportsonprogress,orlackofprogress. Studentdataisnotbeingusedtoaddresslackofachievement.And

lowachievementisnotbeingaddressedforindividualstudents.

TeacherQuality&

Effectiveness

Teacherturnoverremainsasignificantproblem. Teachersdonothaveadequatesupportormentoringandsurvey

responsesindicateongoinglackofplanningtime,breaksanddailysupportfromaidesorotherswhenclassroomchallengesarise.

Theschoolcontinuestoloopteacherswithoutadequatetrainingorcurriculumguidance.

Curriculum

Thelowestresponseontheteachersurveywastothestatement“the

schoolhasaclearlydefined,highqualitycurriculum.” Thesecondlowestresponsewas“teachersatthisschoolhavethe

necessarysupplies(i.e.papers,markers)tosupportlearning.

Special

Populations

Teachersandstaffindicateproblemsaddressingbehavioral

challengesandTitleIandMAPresultsindicatelackofprogress.


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Office of Charter School Operations Jamaa Learning Center Annual Report

Appendix: Survey Results Everyyear,theOCSOperformsasurveyofallboardmembers,teachersandstaff.Othersurveysmaybeperformedasneeded,orrequested.Thisyear,onlytwoboardmembersrespondedtothesurvey.Resultsarenotincludedduetolackofresponse.Nineteachersandeightstaffmembersrespondedtothesurveyandthoseresultsareincluded.Eachsurveyitemwillshowthemedianresponse,therangeandthestandarddeviation.Eachreportishighlightedingreentoshowpositiveoraboveaverageresponses,andinorangetoshowlessdesirableresponses.Ingeneral,thehighestandmostconsistentscoreswerenotedaspositiveandthelowest,andmostvariablescoreswerehighlightedforattentionandreference.


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JamaaLearningCenter2015TeacherSurveyResults

Basedonresponsesfrom9teacherswith2–20yearsofteachingexperienceand1‐2yearsatJamaa.PartI:Pleaseanswerthefollowingquestionsusingthe5‐pointscalebelow:

5 4 3 2 1stronglyagree agree neutral disagree stronglydisagree

Question

Range

Mean

StandardDeviation

1. The school environment supports student learning. 2‐5 3.6 1.1742. The school environment is safe and orderly. 1‐4 3.2 1.1353. School facilities support student learning. 2‐5 3.3 1.0594. Teachers at this school believe that all students can learn. 4‐5 4.6 .5165. The school’s daily schedule supports student learning. 2‐5 3.6 .9666. Teachers at this school have high expectations for student learning. 4‐5 4.7 .4837. Teachers at this school have high expectations for student behavior. 4‐5 4.5 .5278. Teachers at this school collaborate to improve student learning. 3‐5 4.4 .6999. Teachers utilize effective instructional strategies in lesson delivery to

promote student learning. 4‐5 4.5 .52710. Teachers utilize assessments to evaluate student progress and to guide

instruction. 2‐5 4.2 1.03311. The school has a clearly defined, high quality curriculum. 1‐4 2.4 .88212. Goals and objectives are clearly articulated 3‐5 3.8 .63213. The Title I plan is effective in supporting student needs. 2‐5 3.3 1.16514. Staff follow a mandated process for identifying and supporting

special education students. 2‐5 3.6 1.33315. The delivery of special education services meet students’ needs. 1‐5 3.2 1.39816. On-going professional development supports best practices and

promotes student learning. 2‐5 3.9 .87617. Teachers at this school have necessary supplies (i.e. paper, markers)

to support learning 2‐4 2.5 .85018. Teachers at this school have necessary instructional materials (i.e.

textbooks) to support learning. 2‐4 3.1 .56819. Teachers at this school have the necessary technology to support

learning. 2‐4 3.3 .67520. Students are actively engaged in their learning. 3‐5 3.8 .63221. Policies/procedures for student behavior management are consistently

communicated. 1‐5 3.4 1.35022. Policies/procedures for student behavior management are consistently

implemented. 1‐4 3.0 1.15523. Teachers at this school feel supported by school administration. 2‐5 3.7 1.160


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24. School administrators effectively communicate teacher expectations. 3‐5 4.2 .63225. School administrators effectively communicate student expectations. 2‐5 3.9 .87626. Teachers at this school receive effective administrator feedback and

guidance on instructional practice 3‐5 4.1 .73827. The administrative staff exhibits high standards of professional

behavior. 4‐5 4.5 .52728. Administrators exhibit strong leadership skills. 3‐5 4.3 .67529. Good communication exists between all stakeholders. 2‐5 3.9 .87630. All stakeholders in the school treat each other with mutual respect. 3‐5 4.3 .823

COMMENTSSUMMARIZEDBYMAJORTHEMESAsupportiveenvironmentforalllearners.

MostteachersatJamaatreatotheradultsandscholarsw/respect.AtJamaawefeelmoreasafamilyworkingwithscholarstoimprovetheirlivesandgrowasstudents.

Inourcultureallthestafftryhardtohelpeachotherandsupporteachother. Theschoolcreatesaveryfamilykindoffeel,forstaffandstudents.Thescholarsfeel

supportedandthestafffeelsupported. Thecultureoftheschooliseffective,overall;weareallstill"aworkinprogress',makingleaps

andboundstoreachourgoal(s). Jamaaemployscommunally‐focusedmotivationandculturetodriveindividualscholarsto

achieveexcellence. We,atJamaa,arepassionate,student‐centeredadvocatesforamorescholarlyexperiencefor

St.LouisCityscholarsthanSLPS,ingeneral,provides.Wearenew,wearelearning,wewillkeepmovingforward.Werealizeaschoolmusthaveawhole‐teamapproachthatincludesparentinputtoteachourloftygoalofhelpingstudentsbecomelife‐longlearners.

Mostscholarscantellyoutheexpectationsandreciteourschoolcreed.Whenothersenterclasswehaveastandardcommunicationsoallunderstandwhatthevocabularymeans.Teachersaresupportiveofoneanotherandstudents.

Improvementsarebeingnoted.

Teachershavehighexpectationsforallstudents.Studentsareexhibitinganimprovementinbehaviorsthroughouttheentireday.IenjoycomingtoworkatJamaa.


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Behavioralissuesremainaproblem,especiallyinthemiddleschool.

Ifnegativebehaviorswoulddecrease,Ithinktheculturewouldimprove.Also,weneedtobemoreconsistentonconsequenceswhen(bad)behaviorsdohappen.

Stillveryconcernwithsafetyandrespectofotherstudentsandteachers.Alsofollowthroughwithexpectationsofculturesuchasuniforminfractions.

Thecultureoftheschoolasawholecanbedescribedaschaoticattimesduetobehaviors.Ifeellikemyclassroomcultureisverylovingandsometimescanbechaoticattimesduetobehaviors.

Thestaffatmosphereispositiveandsupportive,buttherearestillstruggleswithgettingscholarsto"buyin"tothesystem.

Thecultureisverydisturbing.Lotsofbehavioralissuescausescholarslesslearningopportunities.

Otherchangesarestillneeded.

Alsolackofplanningtimeandnolunchisamajorconcernforme. Staffmoraleislowduetolongworkhourswithinconsistentbreaks. Wehavehighexpectations,butrarelyenforcedbyall. ThecultureofJamaaisn'tconsistent.Also,professionaltrainingfornewstaffis

misunderstood.


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JamaaLearningCenter2015StaffSurveyResults

Basedonresponsesfrom8staffmemberswith1‐21yearsdoingtheircurrentorsimilarjobs,and1‐5yearsatJamaa.PartI:Pleaseanswerthefollowingquestionsusingthe5‐pointscalebelow:

5 4 3 2 1stronglyagree agree neutral disagree stronglydisagree

Question

Range

Mean

StandardDeviation

1. The school environment supports student learning. 2-4 3.5 .756 2. The school environment is safe and orderly. 1-4 2.9 1.246 3. School facilities support student learning. 1-4 2.8 1.035 4. Staff at this school believe that all students can learn. 3-5 4.0 .535 5. The school’s daily schedule supports student learning. 2-4 3.6 .744 6. Staff at this school have high expectations for student learning. 2-5 4.0 .926 7. Staff at this school have high expectations for student behavior. 2-5 3.6 .916 8. Staff at this school have necessary supplies (i.e. paper, markers)

to support learning. 1-4 2.8 1.035

9. Staff at this school have the necessary technology to support learning. 2-5 3.3 1.165

10. Students are actively engaged in their learning. 2-4 3.0 .756 11. Policies/procedures for student behavior management are

consistently communicated. 2-4 3.0 .756

12. Policies/procedures for student behavior management are consistently implemented. 2-4 2.5 .756

13. Staff at this school feel supported by school administration. 2-4 3.3 .886 14. School administrators effectively communicate staff

expectations. 2-5 3.8 .886

15. School administrators effectively communicate student expectations. 3-5 3.9 .835

16. Staff at this school receive effective administrator feedback on job performance. 3-4 3.4 .518

17. The administrative staff exhibits high standards of professional behavior. 3-5 4.1 .641

18. Administrators exhibit strong leadership skills. 3-5 4.3 .707 19. Good communication exists between all stakeholders. 2-4 3.3 .707 20. All stakeholders in the school treat each other with mutual

respect. 3-5 4.1 .641


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COMMENTSORGANIZEDBYMAJORTHEMESAsupportiveenvironmentforalllearners.

Staffflexibilityisthebiggeststrengthoftheschoolastheyworkwithavarietyofstudentsandtheirsurroundingissuesonadailybasis.

Jamaaisaschoolthatgivesallstudentsanopportunitytosucceedregardlessofanypastmistakes,failuresorrejectionsthestudentmayhavehadinthepast.Jamaaworksasa"village"toproducechangeanddoesnotgiveup.

Ibelieveourculturecontinuestoimprove.WehavecomealongwaysinceIstarted.Ihopethatwewillcontinuetogrowstrongertogetherasastaffsothatweareabletosupporteachotheraswellasthescholarswhodependonusfortheireducation.Withourcurrentgoalsandplanswewillcontinuetomeetourschoolgoalseachyear.

Thecultureoftheschoolisextremelydifferentdependingonthegrade.Thecultureintheelementarygradesismorepositivethannegative.Thereismoremotivationfrombothscholarsandparentstobesuccessfulinschool.

Thecultureoftheschoolislikeafamily.Wearegrowingtogether,learningtogetherandsupportingeachotherintheprocessaswestriveforacademicandbehaviorexcellence!

Improvementsarebeingnoted.

Changingeffectivelytoadjusttothechangesneededmostlybasedinthephysicalenvironment.

Theschoolandorganizationalcultureiscontinuingtostrengthen.Showinggreatimprovementfromthepreviousyearandisreflectiveofatypicalschool/organizationinitsinfancystages(year2afterrestartin2013).Strongestcultureisevidentwithstaffthatwasherelastyearandshowsrealpromiseforsomestaffthatbeganthisyear.

Behavioralissuesremainaproblem,especiallyinthemiddleschool.

Thecultureinmiddleschoolseemstobemorenegativethanpositiveattimes.Themiddleschoolscholarslackprideinwheretheygotoschool.

Behaviorisahugedetrimenttoacademicsuccess,especiallywheninappropriatebehaviorsarenotresolved.

Thereisnoconsistencywithconsequencesforinappropriatebehaviors. Thelackofsupportstaffinmyopinion,stronglycontributestothebehaviormanagement

problem.


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Otherchangesarestillneeded.

ThecultureofJamaaisalwayschanging.Thereisastaffdisconnect.Thereisahugelackofplanningandpreparednessbyadministration.

Thisschoolneedsabuildingthatisconducivetolearning.Morespace,moresupplies.Ifeelsomeoftheteachershavelowexpectationsanddon'tacademicallychallengetheirclass.

IfeelJamaacanstillbeagreateducationalinstitutionforthechildrenofSt.Louiswithafewminoradjustments!


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Annual Report 2015Jamaa Teacher Survey 2015Jamaa Staff Survey 2015

Documents

JAMAA LEARNING CENTER...The lowest response on the teacher survey was to the statement “the school has a clearly defined, high quality curriculum.” The second lowest response was