|
Using the School Self-Assessment Rubric (SSAR) |
|
 Pam Dunlap is the GEAR UP Coordinator for grades 7-8 at Happy Valley Elementary, Happy Valley Union School District in Anderson. Besides taking part in California GEAR UP, the school participates in a 6 year Local Partnership grant. Their GEAR UP partners include Anderson Middle School, Anderson High School, West Cottonwood Junior High, West Valley High School, Pacheco Elementary, Maywood Middle School, Corning High School, Anderson Partnership for Healthy Children, and Shasta College, the lead partner.
The School Self-Assessment Rubric (SSAR) is a valuable tool that I have used a number of times with different stakeholder groups. Each time it has helped focus the group’s efforts to promote a college-going culture on their campus. My first introduction to the SSAR was in October 2006 at the Principal & Leadership Team Institute in Berkeley. Our leadership team worked together using the SSAR to narrow our focus on key areas we wanted to improve at our school. It opened up discussions within our group about where we each believed our school was on certain issues, such as learning communities and rigorous academics. By the time the session was over, we had our Planning Pyramid Worksheet completed and were ready to begin implementation.
Replicating the SSAR Session during Professional Development
Throughout the school year we revisited our SSAR and Planning Pyramid to make sure we still were focused on completing our original goals. The SSAR was also used during one of our Professional Development days. I replicated the session we had at Berkeley with our entire teaching staff. Once again this tool provided focus to the group and resulted in valuable and relevant conversations and collaboration among our staff. We revealed our original SSAR and Planning Pyramid to the group and discussed together how far we had come in implementing our areas of focus and what still needed to be done. As an added bonus, the SSAR helped us with one of our district goals, developing professional learning communities. We worked together collaboratively, shared knowledge, and opened communication in completing the SSAR.
Sharing the Tool with Other School Colleagues
Recently I used the SSAR with a group of new, up and coming administrators in one of my Educational Administration classes. The assignment was in curriculum alignment and consensus building. With the help of another classmate, Eleanor Hysell, the former GEAR UP Coordinator for Anderson Middle School, we introduced the process of the SSAR. Again the response was positive; all participants, from elementary to high school, could see the value of this tool. With so much focus in schools today on high stakes testing, my classmates believe they can use the SSAR for subject level and grade level planning, goal setting at the school site and at the district level. Schools that do not have the state grant can still access the SSAR rubric and tally sheet from the California GEAR UP web site.
A “To Do” List to Keep the Focus
In my office I have our original SSAR from Berkeley posted on my wall where I can see it at all times. It is my “To Do” list. The SSAR reminds me what our focus is and what our goals are to continually build a college-going culture. Because schools are in a constant state of change with new students, new parents, new staff, and new administrators, we update the SSAR each year to re-identify the changing strengths and weaknesses. Not only does it help to focus on building a college-going culture for students, it opens up communication and collaboration with staff.
Personal Benefits
As the GEAR UP Coordinator at Happy Valley Elementary I have seen the impact this program has had on our staff, students, and parents. In fact, two of my own children are part of the 1st and 2nd original GEAR UP cohorts at Happy Valley Elementary and I am a first generation college student. From the age of 18 I was a mill worker. It was good money and no education was required, both important factors to a young uneducated mother. I had always wanted to go to college; but as my family grew larger, so did my financial responsibility. Then I was given a second chance; an injury at work gave me the opportunity I had always wanted. In 2000 I graduated with my teaching credential and was offered the GEAR UP Coordinator job the following year. Currently I am completing my Master of Science in Educational Administration and will have my degree and my Tier II Clear Administrative Services Credential by the end of the school year. Two of my children are also currently in college; one is completing her general education credits at a community college and another is a pursuing his Bachelor Degree in computer animation.
|
|
|
Notes From the GEAR UP Director Shelley Davis |
 Welcome Back To School! As the school year begins, we are pleased to share with you more GOOD NEWS from California GEAR UP! September 2007 marks the beginning of our final year of service to the 42 schools that started with us in January 2005. Through a variety of professional development and support services, we are working to close the achievement and opportunity gap for ALL students in the middle grades.
The School Self Assessment Rubric is one of the tools designed to facilitate the development of a college-going culture at the school site. The utility of this resource is shared by Pam Dunlap of Happy Valley Elementary in our feature article. Schools are also taking advantage of teacher preparation services from AVID and the College Board (See page 3).
In July, the National Council for Community and Education Partnerships (NCCEP) hosted the 7th Annual GEAR UP Conference in San Francisco. California GEAR UP participated as the host State in sharing best practices, and effective strategies with over 40 states represented at the conference. California GEAR UP was front and center, showcasing program resources, results and whole school accomplishments. Among the conference highlights was recognizing the student recipients of the GEAR UP College Entrance Exam Scholarships. Snapshots and stories from the day appear on Page 2.
In service to our schools, California GEAR UP developed the Continuing Sustainability Project (CSP) as an opportunity to continue – and deepen – their work to raise student achievement. With schools as Learning Communities, the program goal of capacity-building can be sustained over time and beyond the provision of GEAR UP services. On Page 3, School Leadership Teams are encouraged to consider applying for CSP. Also on this page, we share successes through the Family Initiatives Project and other school accomplishments.
As you know, GEAR UP resources have been designed with the entire school community in mind: districts, schools, families, educators and other community organizations. We monitor our services and resources through our website, surveys, site visits and at program activities and events. Our Resources and Materials Clearinghouse, Pocket Guide to California Colleges, Kids On Campus video and our newsletter are widely distributed and made available to the general public. Please visit our website to order these materials at www.castategearup.org
Our goal is to ensure that every GEAR UP school has the tools and resources needed to actualize our mission statement: “Academic Excellence and College Access for ALL Students.”
Keep the good news coming!
|
|
|
Meet GEAR UP Staff Member Natalie Smyers |
 Natalie D. Smyers became the newest member to the California GEAR UP team in April 2007. Natalie’s duties in the Sacramento Office include administrative support for all offices of California GEAR UP and support to the Families Initiative Project (FIP) and the Student Services Model Project (SSMP).
Natalie is a graduate of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, with a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism & Media Studies. Natalie believes, “If we promote a
college-going culture to middle school students, the interest for students to go on to college will be far greater.” She resides in Elk Grove with her 9 year-old son.
|
|
|
NCCEP/GEAR UP Conference Demonstrates the Right Attitude for School Reform |
|
 Over thirty active California Local Partnerships were among the 2,000 participants at the NCCEP/GEAR UP national conference in San Francisco from July 22-25, 2007. California GEAR UP staff hosted the event by cheering, providing music by a group of talented young musicians headed by guitarist/singer Gabi Wilson, and displaying the story of California GEAR UP in the Gallery Walk.
Staff and young people from GEAR UP schools voiced their views through workshops and panel presentations of how to do meaningful educational reform. As President of the National Council for Community and Education Partnerships (NCCEP), Dr. Hector Garza led the charge with “What is good for GEAR UP students is good for ALL students.” One highlight was the presentation of College Entrance Examination Scholarships of $2,500 each to six high school graduates by corporate sponsor Peterson’s.
 Project STEPS displays college banners; the partnership includes Walter Reed and Sun Valley Middle Schools as well as North Hollywood, Francis Polytechnic, and East Valley High Schools.
 Jill Campbell and Natalie Smyers, Administrative Assistants, along with Executive Assistant Bernadette Ramirez and Project Coordinator Crystal Graves set up the GEAR UP Storyboard for the Gallery Walk. Middle School moms and daughters attend the conference Bernadette Ramirez & daughter Alani
 Jill Campbell & daughter Mai
|
|
|
Marshall High School Student Wins GEAR UP Scholarship Award |
 Anahit Ananyan wins scholarship for improvement on college entrance exam.
Anahit Ananyan has been an active participant in the Project Higher Learning GEAR UP Program since she moved to this country from Armenia and became a 9th grader at Marshall High School. She will attend Los Angeles City College in fall 2007 and plans to transfer to UCLA or USC after two years. “I want to attend college because I consider it the foundation of living a worthy and fulfilling life,” Ms. Ananyan wrote in her scholarship application essay. “GEAR UP has opened up a new world for me and broadened my horizons, encouraging me to make appropriate choices in school and in life.”Ms. Ananyan was unable to attend the conference in San Francisco. Ms. Ann Kam, also a graduate of Marshall’s GEAR UP class of 2007 and a conference participant, accepted the award for her. She was accompanied by the Project Director for all Project Higher Learning Grants, Ms. Anna Eleftheriou.  |
◄ Student Ann Kam accepted the award for Anahit with Project Director Anna Eleftheriou. Project Higher Learning serves students now enrolled at Marshall, Franklin, Lincoln and Eagle Rock High Schools. The partnership students came from Eagle Rock Junior High as well as Irving, King, and Nightingale Middle Schools. |
|
|
|
GEAR UP Workshops Help Teachers Prepare Students |
Northern California
Martin Luther King Middle School and Visitacion Valley Middle School of San Francisco Unified School District joined forces on August 24, 2007, for the AVID “Student Success Path” middle level workshop. The day’s activities kicked off at 8 a.m. with coffee and sweets hosted by Visitacion Valley Middle School. By using the AVID services provided by California GEAR UP, these two neighboring schools walked the talk of collaboration and studied and learned side-by-side.
Presenter Art Valeriano set the tone by reviewing norms that all staff are expected to follow and respect. Topics broached during the day included Time Management, Cornell Notetaking, Socratic Seminars, and Eleven Drills. The interactive exercises and group activities allowed teachers to share with others from all parts of the room. Issues and questions relating to English Learner (El) and underperforming students vis-à-vis Cornell Notetaking were addressed and discussed openly.
Southern California
Shadow Hills Intermediate School in Palmdale hosted the AVID “Student Success Path” workshop for all staff on August 30, 2007, as their kickoff for the 2007-2008 school year. From the various activities demonstrated by presenter Darlene Pope, Principal Suresh Bajnath and staff plan to use several that will help students to learn better.
Evaluation comments from both workshops by teachers on what they gained from the workshop and will use this year included:
- Better Time Management
- One minute discussion with a partner
- Notetaking, especially for social studies and science; will experiment with Socratic Seminars
- How important it is to be actively (literally) involved
- Helping kids to understand how they learn so they know how to study
- Philosophical Chairs & Socratic Seminars
- Cornell Notes
- Guide to writing questions
- Learning Style Survey
- Pro and Con Discussion
- Goal Setting
Teachers appreciated being validated for what they are already doing in the classroom and receiving reinforcement of the October Institute strategies. Other schools can schedule this AVID workshop and/or College Board workshops during the 2007-2008 school year by contacting their Regional Coordinator for arrangements.
Photo #1 - Jonetta Spears, head counselor at Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School, and Don Mar, Regional Coordinator, at the San Francisco workshop
Photo #2 - Principal James Dierke of Visitacion Valley Middle School Photo #3 - AVID presenter Art Valeriano
Photo #4 - AVID Presenter Darlene Pope and Principal Suresh Bajnath at Shadow Hills Intermediate School
|
|
|
CSP offers additional School-Based Services for In-Depth Sustainability Work |
by Gina Rodriguez
The Continuing Sustainability Project (CSP) is an opportunity for California GEAR UP Cohort A schools to continue their work to raise  student achievement for a third year. During that time, schools will receive a variety of school-based services for professional development.
The schools will be invited to apply during spring 2008. It is expected that 22 of the current 42 Cohort A schools will be selected. The goal of CSP schools is to focus intensively on sustaining a college-going culture while preparing students for successfully meeting the academic rigor of A-G requirements.
California GEAR UP encourages each School Leadership Team staff to discuss the benefits and consider applying for CSP. For more information, contact your Regional Coordinator. |
|
|
Start Prev Page 1 2 Next Page End
|
| Results 1 - 7 of 12 |
Fall 2007 12th Edition