Pleased with the positive comments of a visiting team from the Western Association of Schools and Colleges last month, DES principal Jonas Barcinas said outcome number 1 in the action plan includes meeting the Public School System’s Goal 2008, which is to have all students reading at or above grade level based on the basic reading inventory; and to have all students perform at or above 50 percentile on the Standard Achievement Test assessment by 2010.
DES also aims to align its ESLR, or expected school-wide learning result, with PSS standards and benchmarks and develop a standardized grade level performance assessment.
DES wants to provide current student and school administrative policies and procedures, as well as materials, facilities and grounds for an increasing student population.
By Aug. 2010, DES aims to have all or 100 percent of its teachers and administrators achieve a passing score on the Praxis 1 and 2 tests.
Barcinas said under each outcome is a list of sub-activities, some of which have been started years before and are now on-going.
The WASC visiting team’s report showed 13 areas of strength and only seven critical areas which need follow-up.
The team said DES should encourage school-wide and grade-level action plans with specific goals and timeline and see to it that identified personnel are held accountable.
DES is also encouraged to develop calendar-based curriculum maps, conduct quarterly assessment tests to ensure that the students have mastered what are being taught to them.
The teaching staff should use graphic organizers in all grades to maximize learning and teaching, while the school should pursue the acquisition of additional technology including computers and software to expand student and staff knowledge and skills, the team stated.
