Part 5: The Action Plan

Introduction

New Horizons Learning Center (NHLC) opened as a new school in the 1997-98 school year. During it's five plus years of existence, New Horizons has developed a comprehensive school improvement plan. The staff has been actively involved in providing leadership and support for the design and implementation of the school improvement plan. The School Advisory Council has met on a regular basis to carefully monitor the progress in implementing the action steps contained in the plan.

The selection of the goals for the school improvement plan was based on a consensus-building process that involved the school's stakeholders. The goals, improving reading skills, improving math skills, and improving school safety, are clearly articulated and are measurable. Performance indicators are clearly specified. The goals are challenging, yet attainable. Comprehensive action steps for achieving the goals are clearly outlined. The strategies for improvement are directly aligned with the goals for improvement and are based on research-based principles of high performing systems of teaching and learning.

The timeline for the action steps is reasonable and the school's resources are fully dedicated to achieving the goals of the school improvement plan. The leadership teams are role models in the implementation of the plan and accountability responsibilities are clear.

There is a systematic and comprehensive plan for documenting student growth on the selected target goals and there is an effective and efficient assessment and data collection system that provides an accurate baseline and tracks longitudinal analyses of trends. The assessment plan includes documentation of the extent of implementation and the effectiveness of the action steps. The plan allows for the refining and adjusting of the action steps to more fully achieve the goals of the plan.

Full consideration of the implications of the school's profile, beliefs and mission, desired results for student learning, and analysis of instructional and organizational effectiveness is reflected in the development of the action plan.

ACTION PLAN- #1 Desired results for Student Learning: The READING scores of New Horizons students will increase as measured by incremental gains on individual achievement tests. Goal Statement: Sixty percent of the students at New Horizons Learning Center will increase their academic performance in READING by six months as measured on STAR and CCC

Action Steps		Estimated Timeline		Resources		Person(s) Responsible
Administer the STAR Reading test at the end of each nine week period		9/02-5/03		STAR Reading on accessible computer terminals		Classroom teachers and guidance
Students will use the Success Maker program to facilitate achievement of reading skills		9/02-5/03		The basic program will be Readers Workshop		Classroom teachers
Integrate STAR Reading diagnostic information into classroom instruction		9/02-5/03		Planning time		Classroom teachers
Use CCC worksheets for supplemental material		9/02-5/03		Planning time, computer, printer, and paper		Classroom teachers
Incorporate reading into all subject areas		9/02-5/03		Planning time		Classroom teachers
Use alternative assessments to focus on what student knows		9/02-5/03		Planning time		Classroom teachers
ACTION PLAN- #2 Desired results for Student Learning: The MATH scores of New Horizons students will increase by incremental gains on individual achievement tests. Goal Statement: Sixty percent of the students at New Horizons Learning Center will Increase their academic performance in MATH by six months as measured by STAR and CCC
Action Steps		Estimated Timeline		Resources		Person(s) Responsible
Admin the STAR Math test at the end of every nine week period		9/02-5/03		STAR Math on accessible computer terminals		Classroom teachers and guidance
Students will use Success Maker program to facilitate achievement of math skills		9/02-5/03		CCC program and accessible computers		Classroom teachers
Integrate STAR Math diagnostic information into classroom instructions		9/02-5/03		Planning time		Classroom teachers
Use CCC worksheets for supplemental material		9/02-5/03		Planning time, computer, printer, and paper		Classroom teachers
Incorporate reading into all subject areas		9/02-5/03		Planning time		Classroom teachers
Use alternative assessments to focus on what student knows		9/02-5/03		Planning time		Classroom teachers
Use Problem Solving as the focus of the Math Curriculum		9/02-5/03		Planning time		Classroom teachers
ACTION PLAN- #3 Desired results for Student Learning: New Horizons will provide a safe school environment for its students. Goal Statement: A 3.10 average composite score on the NSSE will be achieved when administered to both staff and students.
Action Steps	Estimated Timeline		Resources		Person(s) Responsible
Safety and security equipment/monitoring system	7/02-9/02		Safety and security equipment/monitoring system		Administration
Provide stress reduction, anger management, and social skills development curriculum	On going		Anger Management and Social skills Curriculum		Behavior Specialist, Classroom Teacher
Implement updated behavior modification program	On going		Rein forcers		Administration, School Safety Committee, Classroom Teachers, Paraprofessionals
Implement Peer Mediation Program	On going		Peer Mediation Curriculum, planning time, rein forcers		Peer Mediation Committee/Classroom teachers
Continue/enhance effectiveness of Crisis Response Team	On going		Staff Release time, planning time		Administration, Crisis Response Team
Train all staff bi-annually in Crisis Response/Prevention	11/02 & 1/03		Staff Release time, CPI curriculum		Administration, District Office
Maintain presence of Security Resource Officer	On going		Cost support from Sheriff and School Board		Administration, District Office
Maintain availability of individual counseling	On going		Scheduled time, District Funding		Administration, Guidance, Behavior Specialist

Means of Evaluating the Effectiveness of the School Improvement Plan

A. Plan for Evaluating the Target Area Goals for Student Learning

Goal 1: Reading Performance

- Classroom assessment of reading using the STAR

· Classroom assessment of reading using CCC

· Teacher review of students' STAR Summary, Rank, and Growth Reports

· Teacher review of students' CCC Summary, Levels and Gain, IPM, and Course Reports

· Administration review of students' STAR Summary, Rank, and Growth Reports grouped by ESE Middle School, ESE High School, Reach Middle School, and REACH High School

· Administration review of students' CCC Summary, Levels and Gain, IPM, and Course Reports grouped by ESE Middle School, ESE High School, Reach Middle School, and Reach High School

· Administration and teacher review of CCC data for growth by group (ESE MS, ESE High, Reach MS, and Reach HS) and by teachers for individual and class problem areas.

Goal 2: Math Performance

· Classroom assessment of reading using the STAR

· Classroom assessment of reading using CCC

· Teacher review of students' STAR Summary, Rank, and Growth Reports

· Teacher review of students' CCC Summary, Levels and Gain, IPM, and Course Reports

· Administration review of students' STAR Summary, Rank, and Growth Reports grouped by ESE Middle School, ESE High School, Reach Middle School, and REACH High School

· Administration review of students' CCC Summary, Levels and Gain, IPM, and Course Reports grouped by ESE Middle School, ESE High School, Reach Middle School, and Reach High School

· Administration and teacher review of CCC data for growth by group (ESE MS, ESE High, Reach MS, and Reach HS) and by teachers for individual and class problem areas.

Goal 3: School Safety and Environment

· Observation and testing of safety/security equipment

· Behavior Specialist schedule and teacher lesson plans as documentation of implementation of social skills/anger management curriculum

· Student Handbook and teacher records of student's progress through behavior modification program

· Student Handbook and Peer Mediation records as documentation of Peer Mediation Program

· Documentation of Crisis Response team results and Documentation of Staffs participation in Crisis Response Training

· Documentation of Security Resource Officer's schedule and student contacts

· Documentation of Counselor's/Behavior Specialist's contacts with individual students

· Adequate progress towards this goal will be indicated by a 3.10 or better composite score on the NSSE survey

B. Plan for Documenting the Improvement in Instructional and Organizational Effectiveness

· Pre/post school year analysis of STAR reading and math scores (see Part I, appendix A, page 2, 4, and 5)

· Analysis of annual growth in CCC (Successmaker) math and reading scores (see Part I, appendix A, page 2, 4, and 5

· Quarterly reviews of STAR reading and math scores (see Part IV, appendix B for schedule of reports)

· Quarterly analysis of CCC math and reading progress (se part IV, appendix B for schedule of reports)

· End of the year collection and analysis of responses to the "NSSE Survey of Instructional Organizational Effectiveness" for students and teachers (See Part IV, appendix E)

C. Plan for Evaluating the Extent of Implementation and Effectiveness of the School Improvement Plan

· Staff survey of the extent of implementation of the school improvement plan

· Staff evaluation of professional development programs

· Feedback from staff on the effectiveness of the action plans

· Analyze of CCC and STAR reports on a nine week basis to determine adequate progress