Case Study

Park View Elementary SchoolCase Study By: Becky Chopp & Erin PowellSchool DemographicsVirginia Public School District506 N 9th Avenue W.Virginia, MN 55792Grades: Kindergarten, 1,2,3

Student Population: 431 Teacher population: 55American Indian 8.3% White 98.0%Asian 0.9% Philippine 0.02% Hispanic 1.9% Total: 100.0%Black 5.1%White 83.8%Total: 100.0%Faculty Demographics Number of School Staff by PositionTeachers..30.19Media Specialists0.00Other Licensed Professionals2.00Paraprofessionals14.27Administrators..1.00Other Staff Including Non-Licensed Staff7.86Total Staff..55.32Faculty DemographicsTeacher Degree PreparationBachelors..47.86%Masters..51.77%Doctorate................0.00%

Teachers Years of ExperienceLess than 3 years..0.00%More than 10 years.67.21%

AYP Attendancehttp://education.state.mn.us/mde/Data/Data_Downloads/Accountability_Data/NCLB_AYP/index.html

AYP Proficiencyhttp://education.state.mn.us/mde/Data/Data_Downloads/Accountability_Data/NCLB_AYP/index.html

AYP Participationhttp://education.state.mn.us/mde/Data/Data_Downloads/Accountability_Data/NCLB_AYP/index.html

AYP Enrollment http://education.state.mn.us/mde/Data/Data_Downloads/Accountability_Data/NCLB_AYP/index.html

Neighborhood AnalysisClean streetsClean surrounding businessesPark well maintainedWide streets with large sidewalksSafe crossing areas in front of the schoolSafe 4-way stop with lights in front of the schoolSchool is secluded from houses and is located in a large open area, with a view of the park Neighborhood

Parkview Elementary SchoolNeighborhood

Bus drop off and pick up area in front of the schoolNeighborhood

View of the park from the walking path around the schoolNeighborhood

Safe 4-way stop in front of the schoolSchool Environment AnalysisThe outside of the building is very well maintained The two outside playgrounds are safe and well maintainedSchool entrance is safe and welcomingMain office is easy to access The hallways are appropriate for elementary schools and are easy to navigate and are well maintainedThe lunch room is clean with a great view and large windows

School Environment

School Environment

School Environment

School Environment

Classroom EnvironmentsSeating arrangements in the classroom are the teachers preference Teachers desks are secluded in the back of the roomThere are limited alternative work stationsDecorations are appropriate and are the teachers preference

Classroom Environments

Classroom Environments

Classroom Environments

Classroom Environments

Observation of StudentsAre observations of students at Parkview elementary school have determined that there are a few different groups of students and families. It is noticeable of the students that participate in different sports where their families are involved. There are no noticeable cliques between different minority groups in this school. From our observations in the classroom all students are treated equally by the teacher. In addition we have noticed that in the class room certain minorities are not always treated as equally by peers as others. Incorporation of community culturesOur observations of school events show that the entire community is included no matter culture, race, or gender. All events are open to any one and are very welcoming to everyone. The PTA events have many opportunities for all children and families. There is one specific opportunity for Native American children that incorporates their culture in the activities that they do. It is the Native American Education program where there is a Native American lesion officer that supports Native American children within their schools and homes to embrace their culture. School Climate AnalysisAfter performing the Teaching Tolerance survey using the School Climate Questionnaire we noticed that most of the surveys were pretty equal. In total four teachers did the survey and we both did the survey (Becky & Erin). Most of the teachers agreed that students in the school get along well except for one was a three, meaning she did not agree but she did not disagree. Also all of the teachers agreed that students chose to interact primarily with people that are most like themselves. Teachers agreed that Students in the school understood how to report harassment, bullying and racial abuse to school officials, and that they felt comfortable doing so. In addition, the teachers all agreed that every student in the school feels like he or she belongs and that the school creates opportunities for students to get to know each other. Most of the teachers strongly agreed with one just agreeing that all adults and students listen to each other. Every teacher that took the survey strongly agreed that they look forward to going to the school every morning.

None of the teachers have ever seen graffiti at the school, nor have they ever heard a teacher or other adult in the school make disparaging remarks about a particular group of students. About half of the teachers have heard a student use a slur or other derogatory put-down, and have heard a student tease or ridicule another student. In addition half of the teachers have seen an analyzed the schools safety date reports, have a conversation with someone about the schools climate.

School Climate AnalysisWe felt that it was easier to personally ask students about the schools environment because we are working with second graders, and the school only houses kindergarten through third grade. We felt that the actual survey would have been beyond their level of understanding. All of the students that we talked to agreed that they liked their school and they enjoyed coming to school, with a few students making comments about how much they like their teacher. Some of the students stated that they have felt like they were teased at one point in this particular school, and had admitted to possibly teasing a student once or twice in this particular school.

When the students were asked if they thought that teasing was a big problem at their school, they said no, but added that it sometimes does happen. All of the students also agreed that they think the teaches listen to them and that they are not afraid to tell their teachers things, such as if they are being bullied or if they know of someone who is being bullied. Overall, when students were asked about the climate of the school they stated that they liked it, it was a warm place, and was a happy place to be. Overall SummaryOverall, between our own observations and our collected information we feel that the school has some diversity but it is not extremely diverse. We also believe that the school may continue to get more diverse because there are more children being adapted by families in this area and more jobs will be coming to Virginia, bringing more families into the area. We also believe that the school has a very positive climate that provides equal opportunities for all students and the school tries very hard to include everyone. We also have noticed how warm and welcoming all of the teachers and staff are at the school, and how happy they are to come to work every morning. Everyone at this particular school truly enjoys their job and puts the students best interest in mind. In addition to the diversity in the school there is an American Indian Education program that helps embrace their culture in school. This program is a positive aspect to the school and is very useful to the American Indian children in the school.

We think that some potential opportunities for the school to increase the inclusiveness of welcoming nature of the school culture, would be to have some more education programs for different cultures. They already have a lesion that works with American Indian children in the American Indian Education program, but there are no other opportunities for other minorities in the school. It would be important to the students and beneficial to the school if they had more programs provided for other minorities in the school such as African American children, Hispanic children, and Asian students.

Checklist __X___ analysis includes information gathered from school report cards from MN Department of Education or WI School Report__X___ information on AYP__X___ information on school demographics__X___ analysis includes information gathered about neighborhood (businesses, residences, infrastructure, etc.)__X___ includes photos if appropriate3.__X___ analysis includes information about school environments (classrooms, school grounds, common areas, classrooms)__X___ includes photos if appropriate4.__X___ analysis includes information on students in school__X___ in class__X___ outside of class__X___ includes how students group themselves__X___ includes how students and/or student groups interact

Self-Evaluation 5.__X___ analysis includes information on community cultures and individual students' backgrounds__X___ includes information from school or community events__X___ how students are or are not included in school "culture"__X___ how does school deal or not deal with individual student needs__X___ opportunities for students not part of school's dominant culture6.__X___ analysis includes school climate analysis (from Teaching Tolerance survey) __X___ summary of perceptions and differences in perceptions between teachers and students__X___ summary includes how many surveyed7.__X___ Overall summary of your findings.__X___ summary of findings, connecting issues from class to how they played out in your school context__X___ description of potential opportunities to increase inclusiveness and welcoming nature of the school culture

Self-Evaluation Continued1233+Analysis of data derived from observations made at school and neighborhood. Observations are summarized. Analysis makes surface level interpretations of information gathered. Analysis identifies how issues discussed in EdSe 4100 are played out in school context.Analysis of data derived from observations made at school and neighborhood. Observations are descriptive. Analysis incorporates data from various sources (e.g., school report cards, etc.). Analysis identifies and describes how issues discussed in EdSe 4100 play out in school context. Analysis identifies potential opportunities to improve school "culture."Analysis of data derived from observations from school and neighborhoods citing detailed information (e.g., school meetings, etc.). Observations are detailed and descriptive. Analysis effectively incorporates data obtained from various sources to interpret observations. Analysis accurately identifies and describes how issues discussed in EdSe 4100 play out in school context. Analysis describes potential opportunities that can be developed to improve school "culture."Analysis goes beyond a level 3

We feel that our case study is either a 3 or 3+, we have put a lot of effort into the reports, and included extra information to help one further support our findings. We have included all of the required information and some extra information and pictures. Assessment Rubric