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Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement (NCA CASI),

the Northwest Accreditation Commission (NWAC), and the Southern Association of

Colleges and Schools Council on Accreditation and School Improvement (SACS CASI) are

accreditation divisions of AdvancED.

© 2012 AdvancED®

Self Assessment of Readiness for Accreditation for School Systems

Self Assessment of Readiness for Accreditation for School Systems

IntroductionAdvancED promotes a philosophy that accreditation is an on-going, never-ending process of improvement, not an event that occurs only once every five years. To that end, AdvancED wants institutions to be aware of all requirements before they begin the journey toward accreditation. This Self Assessment of Readiness for Accreditation will help you and others to determine if your institution has the capacity to pursue and achieve accreditation.

Directions for Completing the ReportIn order to complete the Self Assessment of Readiness, consider the following steps:

1. In this document, select “Meets” if you believe your school system meets the intent of the indicator. Otherwise, select “Needs Improvement.” Selecting “Needs Improvement” does not jeopardize your pursuit of accreditation. AdvancED values honest reflection.

2. After completing ratings of all indicators, respond to the prompts for student performance, stakeholder perceptions, and assurances.

3. After you have completed the report, email a copy to your AdvancED state office.

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Enter System Name: The School District of Okeechobee County

StandardsStandard

1The system maintains and communicates at all levels of the organization a purpose and direction for continuous improvement that commit to high expectations for learning as well as shared values and beliefs about teaching and learning.

XMeets

NeedsImprovement

1.1 The system engages in a systematic, inclusive and comprehensive process to review, revise and communicate a system-wide purpose for student success.

Strategic Plan Parent Surveys

X

1.2 The system ensures that each school engages in a systematic, inclusive and comprehensive process to review, revise and communicate a school purpose for student success.

School Improvement Plans

X

1.3 The school leadership and staff at all levels of the system commit to a culture that is based on shared values and beliefs about teaching and learning and supports challenging, equitable educational programs and learning experiences for all students that include achievement of learning, thinking and life skills.

School Improvement Plans Evaluation System Deliberate Practice Plans Cambridge Training Principals’ Instructional Rounds

X

1.4 Leadership at all levels of the system implement a continuous improvement process that provides clear direction for improving conditions that support student learning.

Strategic Plan Florida Standards Implementation Plan Checklists Data Dialogues with Principals and District Staff

X

Standard2

The system operates under governance and leadership that promote and support student performance and school effectiveness.

XMeets

NeedsImprovement

2.1 The governing body establishes policies and supports practices that ensure effective administration of the system and its schools.

Policy on Strategic Planning Professional Development Protocols

X

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Fiscal Oversight Assessment Policies Student Progression Student Handbooks, Staff Handbooks, Manuals and

Procedures2.2 The governing body operates responsibly and functions

effectively. Master Board Training Board Workshops – Random Drug Testing, Special

Facilities & Strategic Planning Legal Council Ethics Training for Constitutional Officers

X

2.3 The governing body ensures that the leadership at all levels has the autonomy to meet goals for achievement and instruction and to manage day-to-day operations effectively.

Board Members are aware of their roles Job Descriptions for all staff

X

2.4 Leadership and staff at all levels of the system foster a culture consistent with the system’s purpose and direction.

Extensive Use of PLCs Vertical Planning Deliberate Practice Plans Development of Curriculum Maps Expectance of Innovation – APTT, STEM, AVID,

Literacy First, Power Hour

X

2.5 Leadership engages stakeholders effectively in supportof the system’s purpose and direction.

District Advisory Council Committees on Student Progress, Teacher

Evaluation, Insurance, Calendar, Advisory Councils, Code of Conduct, Random Drug Testing, Teacher of the Year, School Related Employee of the Year, Economic Council

X

2.6 Leadership and staff supervision and evaluation processes result in improved professional practice in all areas of the system and improved student success.

Evaluation System including IPC, SGA and Deliberate Practice

Extensive Revision of Instructional Evaluation Correlation between Evaluations and Instructional

Rounds and Student Achievement

X

Standard3

The system’s curriculum, instructional design and assessment practices guide and ensure teacher effectiveness and student learning across all grades and courses. Meets

NeedsImprove

ment

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3.1 The system’s curriculum provides equitable and challenging learning experiences that ensure all students have sufficient opportunities to develop learning, thinking and life skills that lead to success at the next level.

AVID, STEM, CTE, AP, DE, Gifted, Remediation, Differentiation, Articulation, Cool School, Collegiate High School, Elective Classes

X

3.2 Curriculum, instruction and assessment throughout the system are monitored and adjusted systematically in response to data from multiple assessments of student learning and an examination of professional practice.

Curriculum Mapping I-Ready Standards Mastery Create Curriculum Guide Common Course Exams

X

3.3 Teachers throughout the system engage students in their learning through instructional strategies that ensure achievement of learning expectations.

Instituting more of a focus on instructional shifts FASTe 1:1 AVID and Kagan Professional Development Plan Evidence of differentiation and small group instruction Standards Based Instruction

X

3.4 System and school leaders monitor and support the improvement of instructional practices of teachers to ensure student success.

Evaluation Instructional Rounds CLA, FGCU Leadership BOLD Lesson Plan Documentation and Evidence they are

being examined

X

3.5 The system operates as a collaborative learning organization through structures that support improved instruction and student learning at all levels.

PLCs Common Language Glossary Project ONE Reading Coaches and Math/Science Coach

X

3.6 Teachers implement the system’s instructional process in support of student learning.

Following Curriculum Maps Posted learning Goals/Expectations/Standards

X

3.7 Mentoring, coaching and induction programs support instructional improvement consistent with the system’s values

X

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and beliefs about teaching and learning. Project ONE Personnel Manuals Professional Development Calendar

3.8 The system and all of its schools engage families in meaningful ways in their children’s education and keep them informed of their children’s learning progress.

APTT Sophomore Open House Scholarship Night Financial Aid Night Migrant Parent Involvement Dr. Walker’s Parent Involvement Activities STEM Parent Meetings

X

3.9 The system designs and evaluates structures in all schools whereby each student is well-known by at least one adult advocate in the student’s school who supports that student’s educational experience.

AVID Mentors Migrant Advocates On-Site Mental Health at four schools Capturing Kids Hearts Pilot Student Clubs, Organizations and Athletics Check and Connect Inclusion Model

X

3.10 Grading and reporting are based on clearly defined criteria that represent the attainment of content knowledge and skills and are consistent across grade levels and courses.

Student Progression Plan Honors Contract Syllabi

X

3.11 All staff members participate in a continuous program of professional learning.

Deliberate Practice Professional Development Surveys PLCs Evaluation of PD

X

3.12 The system and its schools provide and coordinate learning support services to meet the unique learning needs of students.

MTSS Mental Health Inclusion Model CINS/FINS ESOL Para Migrant Advocates ESE Services to DJJ, Day Cares, Child Find

X

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Standard 4

The system has resources and provides services in all schools that support its purpose and direction to ensure success for all students. Meets

NeedsImprovement

4.1 The system engages in a systematic process to recruit, employ and retain a sufficient number of qualified professional and support staff to fulfill their roles and responsibilities and support the purpose and direction of the system, individual schools and educational programs.

Recruiting Fairs Agreements with FAU and IRSC Results from Study required by Strategic Plan Allocation System in Place We have met class size Multiple vacancies indicate need for improvement We need skilled staff, not just highly qualified, staff

X

4.2 Instructional time, material resources and fiscal resources are sufficient to support the purpose and direction of the system, individual schools, educational programs and system operations.

I-Ready Kagan AVID Literacy First Look at current allocations as compared to 2007-08 Acaletics Increased discretionary budget by 10%

X

4.3 The system maintains facilities, services and equipment to provide a safe, clean and healthy environment for all students and staff.

SREF Climate Surveys 5 Year Plan Energy and Maintenance DOE Rankings District Safety Plan Local and State Inspections Worker’s Comp/FSBIT Training

X

4.4 The system demonstrates strategic resource management that includes long range planning in support of the purpose and direction of the system.

5 Year Work Plan Multi-Year Strategic Plan Technology Plan

X

4.5 The system provides, coordinates and evaluates the effectiveness of information resources and related

XRevised 2012-03-29 6

personnel to support educational programs throughout the system.

Coordinator of Instructional Technology Gale Database Performance Matters 1:1 Digitized Instructional Tool-Kits Numerous Instructional Software and Web-based

Materials4.6 The system provides a technology infrastructure and

equipment to support the system’s teaching, learning and operational needs.

Technology Plan Digital Classroom Plan Techs that serve each of the schools Bandwidth is sufficient 1:1 at grades 6-9

X

4.7 The system provides, coordinates and evaluates the effectiveness of support systems to meet the physical, social and emotional needs of the student population being served.

Mental Health Counseling IEP requirements MTSS Agreements with Agencies Martha’s House DARE, Cyberbullying, Stranger Danger Silver Level Health School District Random Drug Testing Tobacco Free

X

4.8 The system provides, coordinates and evaluates the effectiveness of services that support the counseling, assessment, referral, educational and career planning needs of all students.

Career Counselor Social Worker Transition Services

X

Standard5

The system implements a comprehensive assessment system that generates a range of data about student learning and system effectiveness and uses the results to guide continuous improvement. Meets

NeedsImprovement

5.1 The system establishes and maintains a clearly defined and comprehensive student assessment system.

Assessment Calendar with purpose Performance Matters, CCE, EOC, i-Ready Skyward – Attendance and Grades

X

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EDIS – Evaluation Performance for teachers including each student’s actual performance by demographic

I-Ready Standards Mastery including item analysis5.2 Professional and support staff continuously collect, analyze

and apply learning from a range of data sources, including comparison and trend data about student learning, instruction, program evaluation and organizational conditions that support learning.

Early Warning System MTSS Attendance Discipline Academic Data from 5.1 Strategic Plan – School Improvement Plans Instructional Rounds

X

5.3 Throughout the system professional and support staff are trained in the interpretation and use of data.

Data Chats MTSS/SBIT training Performance Matters Unify I-Ready

X

5.4 The system engages in a continuous process to determine verifiable improvement in student learning, including readiness for and success at the next level.

Vertical Teaming Reading Coach Meetings Curriculum Mapping Data Dialogues

X

5.5 System and school leaders monitor and communicate comprehensive information about student learning, school performance and the achievement of system and school improvement goals to stakeholders.

Instructional Rounds Strategic Plan SIP Presentations to School Advisory Council SIP Presentations to the Board District Advisory Council Economic Council

X

Student PerformanceBriefly describe recent student performance results, areas of strength and areas for improvement. These descriptions should not be complete statistical analyses, simply brief

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narratives. If applicable, give examples of awards your institution has garnered (Blue Ribbon or similar recognition from states or other organizations, National Merit Scholars, etc.).

Recent ResultsMost recent VAM results show that 6th grade reading and math, 7th grade math, 10th grade reading were all above the state average.Nine students received their Associate’s Degree prior to receiving their high school diploma.___ students were enrolled in dual enrollment courses.Over 271 students received an industry certification.i-Ready performance data shows that K-4 performance in math exceeded the national average.K-2 performance on i-Ready reading exceeded the national average.Reading and math performance on FSA appears to be below state average at most grade levels.The last published district grade was a “C” but anticipated to fall during the transition to a new standards, new assessment, new cut scores and new grading formula without learning gains.

StrengthsAlthough we may not reach proficiency, we have been able to achieve learning gains.The willingness of our staff to cope with change and Put Students First!Collaboration between district office and schools.

Areas for ImprovementProficiency rates on standardized assessments need improving.Professional development for teachers on teaching to the depth of the standard.Fidelity in the implementation of our evaluation system.Effective teachers in content areas such as math and science.The ability to teach content through real life application.

Stakeholder PerceptionsPlease briefly describe the perceptions and opinions of your stakeholders in terms of strengths and areas for improvement. If you have administered stakeholder surveys, provide a brief review of the results. If you have not administered formal surveys, write a brief synopsis of comments, complaints, or testimonials you have from stakeholders.

StrengthsIncreased parental involvement due to participation in APTT.Clean, well maintained facilities.Relationship with the community as evidenced by scholarships and donations to schools, events and personnel.Increased academic opportunities outside of school through tutorial programs that provide transportation and “Cool School”.The ability to remain financially strong even through the economic downturn.Our relationship with IRSC.

Areas for Improvement

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Communication between parents and teachers at the secondary level appear to need improvement as a result of the most recent climate survey,The quality of food served could be improved.The perception of school grades being the only method of measure performance.

AssurancesWe have reviewed the requirements set forth in the AdvancED Assurances.

Yes

XNo

Please identify any assurances that are not being met and describe what needs to be done to address the expectations in the Assurance.

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