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  2. 2008
  3. November
  4. C
  5. CDE DAS Cutler-Orosi Nov2008
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Dear educator,

Cutler-Orosi School District has been identified as a recipient of District Assistance and Intervention Team (DAIT) services. The central premise of the DAIT initiative is that the district is the nexus for educational improvement. It provides the leadership, along with the fiscal, human, and technical resources, to fully implement a solid instructional program for all students. The district’s capacities for self-examination and its willingness to implement educational changes to promote the academic achievement of all students are prerequisites to deep and sustainable reform.

The DAIT process begins with a comprehensive needs assessment and continues with the identification, prioritization, and implementation of actions that have the potential to bring about dramatic improvements in district and school operations. An essential component of the needs assessment is the District Assistance Survey (DAS), which includes key stakeholders’ responses to targeted items.

You have been identified as a key stakeholder in the district, and are invited to participate in this survey. Your participation is extremely important to the DAIT process. <>
 
 
 
At what level of the system do you work?
 
Elementary School
 
Middle School
 
High School
 
District Office
 
Other
 
 
 
 
What is your Educational Role?
 
Teacher
 
School Level Administrator
 
District Office personnel
 
Classified Staff
 
Other
 
 
 
 
Answer the following question by checking the appropriate answer


I have been employed for _______ with the district.

 
Less than 3 years
 
3 to 5 years
 
6 to 10 years
 
11 to 15 years
 
More than 15 years
 
Not Applicable
 
 
1. The district provides the most recent K-8 standards-based State Board-adopted or high school standards-aligned textbooks for all students in:
Minimally Partially Substantially Fully
a. Reading/language arts
b. Reading interventions for all students who are more than two grade levels behind (K-8) and who are unable to demonstrate proficiency in 6th grade reading/language arts standards (9-12)
c. Mathematics and Algebra I for grades K-8 or remedial mathematics3 and Algebra I at the high school level
 
 
2. The district supports the full implementation of the most recent K-8 standards-based State Board-adopted or high school standards-aligned textbooks for all students in:
Minimally Partially Substantially Fully
a. Reading/language arts
b. Reading interventions for all students who are more than two grade levels behind (K-8) and who are unable to demonstrate proficiency in 6th grade reading/language arts standards (9-12)
c. Mathematics and Algebra I for grades K-8 or remedial mathematics and Algebra I at the high school level
d. Mathematics interventions for all students who are more than two grade levels behind (K-8) and high school students who are unable to demonstrate proficiency in 7th grade mathematics standards (9-12)
 
 
3. The district ensures that the expectations for implementing an academic program with aligned curriculum, instruction, and assessment using standards-based SBE-adopted and standards-aligned instructional materials are communicated through publications, professional development sessions, etc. to:
Minimally Partially Substantially Fully
a. Teachers
b. Students
c. Parents
d. Site administrators
e. District administrators
f. Local board members
 
 
Standards-based Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment
Minimally Partially Substantially Fully
4. The district ensures the aligned use of instructional materials and embedded assessments by supporting school site personnel to effectively interpret data to modify classroom instruction (e.g., use of content specialists to support instructional decisions around identifying prerequisite skills and knowledge, re-teaching, etc.)
 
 
5. The district clearly communicates with all stakeholders, especially teachers, students, and parents, (e.g., by means of publications, parent information nights, internet, mail, etc.) regarding:
Minimally Partially Substantially Fully
a. Standards-based grade-level expectations
b. Standards-based course-level expectations
c. Available interventions for K-8 students more than two grade levels behind in reading/language arts and math and high school students unable to demonstrate 6th grade proficiency in reading/language arts standards and 7th grade proficiency in mathematics (9-12)
 
 
 
Minimally Partially Substantially Fully
6. The district provides clear explanations of accountability requirements regarding student achievement to all stakeholders, including teachers, administrators, parents, students, and the community
 
 

7. The district ensures the use of an assessment system, including ongoing diagnostic assessment, to appropriately place students in:
Minimally Partially Substantially Fully
a. Intensive4 interventions in reading/language arts (i.e., use of published intervention placement tests)
b. Strategic5 interventions in reading/language arts (e.g., use of core text published placement tests)
c. Intensive4 interventions in mathematics
d. Strategic5 interventions in mathematics
e. Specialized instructional settings (special day, RSP)
f. Leveled instruction (e.g., CELDT)
 
 
8. The district optimizes students’ opportunities to access grade-level core instruction by ensuring the use of:
Minimally Partially Substantially Fully
a. K-8 school schedules which adhere to instructional time recommendations in reading/language arts and mathematics and the use of pacing guides
b. High school master schedules that accommodate varied student mastery levels in English/language arts and mathematics (e.g., 2-3 periods a day of reading/language arts instruction is recommended for students in intensive intervention.)
c. Learning opportunities outside of the instructional day (e.g., before or after school programs, summer school, Saturday Academy, summer academic camps, etc.)
 
 
Professional Development

1. The district:

Minimally Partially Substantially Fully
a. Promotes and facilitates the acquisition of AB 75 training on the SBE-adopted core instructional materials in reading/language arts and mathematics and reading intervention materials offered by State Board-authorized providers for all its K-8 site administrators, with priority given to PI schools
b. Promotes and facilitates the acquisition of AB 75 training in Algebra I, remedial mathematics, and reading intervention programs for high school administrators, with priority given to PI schools
 
 
2. The district:
Minimally Partially Substantially Fully
a. Promotes and facilitates the acquisition of AB 466 training on the SBE-adopted core instructional materials in reading/language arts and mathematics and reading intervention materials offered by State Board-authorized providers for all its K-8 teachers, with priority given to PI schools
b. Promotes and facilitates, for 9th and 10th grade high school teachers, the acquisition of AB 466 training in Algebra I, remedial mathematics, and reading intervention programs, with priority given to PI schools
 
 

Minimally Partially Substantially Fully
3. The district provides comprehensive and ongoing professional development opportunities that focus on instruction in the content areas and across the curriculum for reading/language arts and mathematics.
 
 

Minimally Partially Substantially Fully
4. The district provides professional development focused on the analysis of student achievement data from state and district assessments and curriculum-embedded assessments
 
 
5. The district plans professional development based on additional factors influencing or impacting student achievement, including, but not limited to:
Minimally Partially Substantially Fully
a. Individual school needs, as determined by school and district data
b. Teacher needs, as determined by data and teacher feedback
c. Student needs
 
 
6. The district plans systematic professional development based on:
Minimally Partially Substantially Fully
a. A focus on standards-based content knowledge
b. Ease of application in classroom activities
c. Contact hours, including follow-up sessions, that extend over a period of time (i.e. contact is based on evidence of need and includes classroom support)
d. The collective participation of teachers from the same grade, department, or school
e. Active engagement of participants
f. Coherence with other professional development activities and educational activities
g. A review of research-based strategies associated with improved student achievement for sub-groups of students who are not achieving as well as their peers
 
 
Human Resources

1. The LEA recruits, selects, places, supports, monitors, and evaluates principals such that:
Minimally Partially Substantially Fully
a. Schools in need of the best leadership get the best principals
b. Students in greatest need of academic support receive the best teachers
 
 
2. The LEA works with the teachers’ association to implement strategies to ensure that:
Minimally Partially Substantially Fully
a. All teachers are highly qualified by the commencement of the 2006-07 school year
b. Underperforming schools are staffed with a stable and highly qualified teacher staff (e.g., there are incentives, a support system, opportunities for collaboration, adequate State Board-adopted or standards-aligned instructional materials, State Board-approved interventions, smaller class size, attention to facility/safety concerns, etc., for teachers in underperforming schools)
c. Evaluations for all staff are linked to the standards-based curriculum, instruction and assessment; student achievement; and standards for the teaching profession, if appropriate; with steps to support teachers and administrators
d. Creatively-structured time is available for effective and efficient use of teaching and learning opportunities
 
 
3. The LEA has a support system for new teachers including:
Minimally Partially Substantially Fully
a. Beginning Teacher Support and Assessment (BTSA) and similar training geared toward understanding changes in expectations as required
b. Mentoring and coaching for reading, math, and instruction of English learners
c. Frequent and clear communication on expectations for standards-based curriculum and instruction
 
 
4. Salaries, wages, and benefits are competitive, in order to:
Minimally Partially Substantially Fully
a. Attract and retain highly qualified staff in all core academic subjects, with an emphasis on highly qualified staff for reading, language arts, math, and teaching English learners
b. Attract and retain teachers in leadership roles such as department chairs and mentor leaders
c. Attract and retain administrators with effective leadership skills necessary to implement the nine EPCs
d. Attract and retain administrators with effective leadership skills necessary to implement the nine EPCs
 
 
 
Minimally Partially Substantially Fully
5. The LEA trains, supports with professional development, and appropriately deploys paraprofessionals based upon their credentials.
 
 
Data System/Data Analysis/Ongoing Monitoring


1. The district has an information infrastructure and technology that supports and facilitates:
Minimally Partially Substantially Fully
a. Accurate data collection, entry, and storage
b. All staff receiving specific data in an easy-to-read format to make decisions regarding student achievement (e.g., district administrators and staff, school administrators, and teachers receive relevant data needed to make decisions)
c. All staff receive the data they need to make decisions in a timely manner (e.g., teachers and site administrators receive SBE/local board-adopted curriculum-embedded assessment results within a few days after the assessment is completed, high schools receive middle school achievement and placement exams in time to inform the master schedule, results of diagnostic tests for student interventions are provided in time to inform the master schedule, etc.)
d. Flexible entry and retrieval of a wide range of information (e.g., teachers are able to enter and obtain assessment and demographic information regarding their students easily and in an understandable format)
 
 

Minimally Partially Substantially Fully
2. The district supports school-level systems for implementing a curriculum-embedded assessment system that monitors student achievement every 6 to 8 weeks (e.g., there are agreed-upon common assessments and a timetable; there are common cut points for the proficiency levels, staff are provided with adequate time to review data, schools are provided with software to assist in the data analysis of curriculum-embedded assessments, schools are provided data entry assistance, etc.)
 
 
3. The district supports the use of a data management system that includes:
Minimally Partially Substantially Fully
a. Curriculum-embedded assessments (e.g., 6 to 8 week assessments based on SBE/local board adopted texts, end of course assessments, exit and entry exams, etc.)
b. State-level testing data (e.g., CST proficiency levels, CAT/6 results, CAHSEE results, CELDT results etc.)
c. Demographic and other data (e.g., poverty, ethnicity, feeder school patterns, attendance data, etc.)
d. Data at the student level
e. Disaggregation of data (e.g., data is disaggregated by student groups, their proficiency and quintile levels, by AYP achievement; disaggregated by classroom level, grade level, school level; and by programs such as interventions to support change in the district, school sites, and classroom practice)
f. The ability to review longitudinal data
 
 
 
Minimally Partially Substantially Fully
4. The district has a system in place that ensures district staff, site administrators, and teachers receive the appropriate professional development and ongoing support on the district data system (e.g., teachers know how to access, retrieve, interpret, and use data to inform classroom instruction)
 
 
 
Minimally Partially Substantially Fully
5. The district has a system in place for communicating student achievement data in a comprehensible way to teachers, parents, community members, and other stakeholders
 
 
Fiscal Operations


1. The LEA has board-approved fiscal policies that give priority to LEA and school expenditures for full support of implementation of the nine EPCs through:
Minimally Partially Substantially Fully
a. Adequate coaches and specialists, particularly in reading/language arts, mathematics, and the instruction of English learners
b. Additional classes for strategic and intensive intervention for students below grade level in reading/language arts and mathematics, as well as English learners
c. Appropriate standards-based professional development for administrators and teachers, i.e., AB 75 and AB 466 training
d. Full and timely provision of State Board-adopted instructional materials in reading/language arts, mathematics, and all intervention materials
e. Additional support for students not meeting grade-level standards (e.g., extended school days, summer school, etc.)
 
 
2. The LEA ensures alignment of:
Minimally Partially Substantially Fully
a. Categorical expenditures to achieve instructional goals in the Single School Plan for Student Achievement, such as Title I and High Priority funding
b. Expenditures and purchases toward achievement of the nine EPCs (e.g. through review of professional development plans and purchase orders)
 
 
3. The LEA has an efficient system to ensure that:
Minimally Partially Substantially Fully
a. LEA resources are directly linked to the LEA plan in all five goals of the plan
b. The LEA plan regularly informs financial decisions in approving expenditures and allocations
c. Budgets are expended as approved
d. The LEA develops long-range plans so that one-time funds are not expended to cover ongoing costs
 
 
 
Minimally Partially Substantially Fully
4. The LEA has an efficient system to assist schools in reallocating their fiscal resources to support student achievement via the nine EPCs.
 
 
5. Categorical fund expenditure plans include:
Minimally Partially Substantially Fully
b. Disclosure of information to teachers and parents about expenditures, goals, and changes based on assessments
a. Active participation of teachers and parents in decision-making
 
 
Governance/Leadership

1. The vision, mission statement, core values and beliefs of the LEA are:
Minimally Partially Substantially Fully
a. In alignment with the nine EPCs and reflect a commitment through measurable goals to improving the achievement of all students (required for PI districts, recommended for all)
b. Reflected in written district goals which are both measurable and achievable
 
 
2. The LEA plan and its implementation have a strong, coherent focus on:
Minimally Partially Substantially Fully
a. Improving achievement for all student groups
b. Closing the achievement gap for all student groups (e.g., specific research-based strategies are identified to assist schools in improving student achievement)
c. Providing data to assess objectives of LEA plan implementation
d. Linking each LEA objective with an associated budget source and amount
 
 
3. The local governing board and LEA have policies and evidence of implementation regarding the following:
Minimally Partially Substantially Fully
a. The instructional program, including State Board-adopted materials, textbook adoption cycles, local assessments, and graduation requirements
b. Intensive intervention programs for students
c. Strategic intervention programs for students
d. Instructional time for appropriate grade levels and subjects
e. Alignment of all categorical programs and instructional support programs (such as extended day, summer school, etc.) with the standards-based instructional core
f. Alignment of fiscal commitments to district objectives for implementing EPCs
 
 
4. District and site administrators support the implementation of the Essential Program Components (EPCs) through:
Minimally Partially Substantially Fully
a. Clear expectations in writing provided to administrators and teachers, with accountability for implementation
b. Clear and frequent communication with the local governing board regarding the implementation of the Essential Program Components
c. Frequent school visits by district staff and classroom visits by site administrators to monitor implementation of the EPCs and to provide feedback on levels of implementation
 
 
5. The LEA collects, analyzes, and uses data to:
Minimally Partially Substantially Fully
a. Set instructional priorities based on needs indicated by patterns in the data (e.g., strategies to close the achievement gap for all student groups)
b. Allocate resources based on greatest academic needs, with priority given to Program Improvement schools, in order to accelerate achievement through targeted instruction, frequent assessment, and support
c. Provide support for district personnel to enhance student performance
d. Hold district personnel accountable for student performance through performance evaluations
e. Strengthen community knowledge, trust, and participation through sharing student data with parents and the community and providing accurate and objective interpretations
 
 
6. The LEA has support systems in place to promote effective implementation of EPCs through:
Minimally Partially Substantially Fully
a. LEA specialists, such as reading specialists, mathematics specialists, and English learner specialists, and coaches/content experts who work inside the classroom to support teachers
b. A pacing calendar for delivering mathematics and reading/language arts instruction, observed and monitored for implementation
c. A curriculum-embedded assessment schedule (e.g., there are agreed-upon common assessments provided in the adopted textbooks and a timetable for administration of the assessments; there are common cut points for the proficiency levels used to monitor student progress and to make instructional decisions)
 
 
Parents and Community

1. The district and schools have a system in place with multiple strategies to facilitate two-way communication with parents and community members on a regular basis:
Minimally Partially Substantially Fully
a. Communications (e.g., newsletters, brochures, mail-outs, press releases, phone calls, web pages, etc.) are provided to all parents and community members in a language they understand
b. Communications to all parents are provided in a timely manner (e.g., parents are notified of meetings and policy changes well in advance, parents with children in Program Improvement schools are notified of their right to school choice and/or supplemental services, phone calls are returned promptly, etc.)
c. All parents are informed about and understand the standards-based system (e.g., grade-level expectations for proficiency, high school exit exam requirements, data reporting for STAR and local assessments, and available interventions in reading, language arts, and mathematics for students needing assistance, etc.)
d. All parents are informed on a regular basis of their students’ academic progress (e.g., parents receive 6-9 week progress reports; have the opportunity to participate in parent/teacher conferences; are informed in a timely manner if students are at risk of not being promoted to the next grade, failing a subject course, or failing the high school exit exam, etc.)
 
 
2. The district ensures that all schools have family/parent involvement programs that provide:
Minimally Partially Substantially Fully
a. Multiple opportunities for all parents (i.e., representatives from all economic and ethnic backgrounds) to actively and knowledgeably participate in district and school level decision-making processes (e.g., participation in the development of the LEA and school site plans and on school site councils)
b. Training for parents to successfully participate in curricular and budgetary decision-making
 
 
 
Minimally Partially Substantially Fully
3. The district ensures that all schools provide resources and opportunities to parents to support their children’s academic success (e.g., family literacy programs, family math/science events, workshops and materials for parents on how to support learning at home, access to daily/weekly homework assignments, and viable parent/family resource centers, etc.)
 
Please contact [email protected] if you have any questions regarding this survey.
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