Central Falls Transformation Report - Annenberg Institute for School ...

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Areas in Need of Further Improvement On the survey, CFHS staff members were asked to respond to the following question, “In what areas does CFHS need further improvement?” Responses indicate that many teachers and other staff identified student discipline as an area that is in need of further improvement within CFHS. Comments across respondent groups also suggest that a more systemic approach to classroom management and student attendance is needed. Staff suggested implementing buildingwide policies and procedures as a solution that would address these concerns. Figure 25 displays a sample of these responses from the three most frequently reported themes. 17 Seven teachers also wrote about a need for further curriculum development and curriculum alignment across content areas. One teacher reported that additional planning was needed to “solidify the math curriculum,” in particular. Other suggestions for improvements were increased parent engagement, designation of exemplar teachers as mentors to peers to improve performance, and alternative placements for special needs and ESL students. FIGURE 25 Examples of CFHS Teacher and Staff Perceptions of Further Improvements Needed Theme Respondent Group Exemplar Quotes Discipline & Behavior Management Communication Climate & Culture Teachers “We need discipline policies that address the attendance and tardiness problems that create the greatest barrier to student achievement.” “A functional behavior management system that supports the teachers and establishes norms and expectations with the students that communicate and support success.” Other Staff “There was absolutely no discipline toward students especially concerning hats, phones, iPods, cutting class, acting out in class, coming in tardy. These issues prevent all students from learning, and we need a policy to enforce consistent rules.” Teachers “Communication between faculty and administration needs to be strengthened.” Other Staff “The leadership team does not communicate their vision to the faculty, so no one understands where we are going, and it makes it difficult to help the students achieve their goals.” Teachers “I believe we need to improve the school culture specifically among the faculty. Many faculty members have a negative attitude toward students and administration and even their fellow teachers.” “The consistent turnover in leadership has completely handcuffed the teachers when it comes to being effective. Teachers need support in every aspect of their jobs, and it has not been given either by local admin or central office.” Other Staff “We need teachers to adopt a commitment to high standards.” NOTE. Other staff may include leadership, guidance, school psychologist, social workers, the school nurse, and the school librarian. 46 Central Falls High School FIRST YEAR TRANSFORMATION REPORT
Future of CFHS Individuals who commented on the chance for the transformation’s success had mixed opinions. While some stakeholders were skeptical about meeting graduation rate goals, individuals directly involved in the Multiple Pathways Options expressed high confidence in reaching their goals. Similarly, individuals directly involved in math instruction also expressed high confidence in increasing performance. However, many teachers expressed little or no confidence that the climate and culture of the school could be transformed. They mentioned several obstacles facing improvement, including a perceived lack of power by the school leadership team to make changes due to bureaucratic obstacles. There was a perceived lack of consistency amplified by the need for faculty and staff to address too many problems simultaneously. As one teacher noted: [T]hey have to entertain so many customers right now that I think they’re missing some valuable opportunities to develop the kind of culture among teachers that can truly make teachers feel that they’re a part of something great. Several teachers and staff agreed that the transformation should be a shared effort. They noted that more faculty members should be involved in the process and that the leadership team should make a concerted effort to include them. More specifically, they noted that to improve the climate and culture there needed to be more consistency and transparency. 17 Please see Appendix H for a complete listing of all responses to this staff survey question on further improvements needed at CFHS. 47
Page 1 and 2: First Year C E N T R A L FALLS H I
Page 3 and 4: First Year The Education Alliance a
Page 5 and 6: Table of Contents Figures Introduct
Page 7 and 8: Introduction In January 2010, the R
Page 9 and 10: Overview of the Transformation Eval
Page 11 and 12: In Year 1, these observations were
Page 13 and 14: II. Strategic Goal 1 Increase the G
Page 15 and 16: The Multiple Pathways programs incl
Page 17 and 18: P.M. School Another Multiple Pathwa
Page 19 and 20: Strengthening the Advisory Program
Page 21 and 22: When asked about how advisory could
Page 23 and 24: Other Student Supports Like most hi
Page 25 and 26: Improving Mathematics Proficiency F
Page 27 and 28: GRADES Quarter 1 % (N) Quarter 2 %
Page 29 and 30: % Correct 100 90 80 70 60 50 40 30
Page 31 and 32: early challenges were also mentione
Page 33 and 34: agreed. In contrast, when queried o
Page 35 and 36: Multiple cohorts of teachers also r
Page 37 and 38: IV. Strategic Goal 3 Improve the Cu
Page 39 and 40: Performance Management The RIDE Pro
Page 41 and 42: Bench members interviewed seemed ge
Page 43 and 44: Particularly in late 2010, teachers
Page 45 and 46: Common Planning Time The primary me
Page 47 and 48: Code Code Description 9th 10th 11th
Page 49 and 50: worked to increase communication on
Page 51: Theme Respondent Group Exemplar Quo
Page 55 and 56: 3. Comprehensively examine mathemat
Page 57: Conclusion This report has utilized
Page 60: 54 Central Falls High School FIRST
Page 75 and 76: Central Falls High School Staff Sur
Page 78 and 79: 72 Central Falls High School FIRST
Page 80 and 81: APPENDIX D 74 Central Falls High Sc
Page 82 and 83: Staff Survey Question: Do you feel
Page 84 and 85: APPENDIX F 78 Central Falls High Sc
Page 86 and 87: Staff Survey Question: Do you feel
Page 88 and 89: Staff Survey Question: In what area
Page 90 and 91: Staff Survey Question: In what area
Page 92: 4 Richmond Square, Fourth Floor, Pr

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