TO: Board of Education FROM: John Barry, Superintendent DATE: December 14, 2010

SUBJECT: Second Quarter Division Reports

Each quarter, we submit reports to the Board of Education to keep you informed of information within divisions. As parts of that process, 10 reports were included with the December 7 Board packet. These reports will be included in the minutes and officially submitted for the record at the December 14 Board meeting, so we stay true to our theme of Trust, Teamwork and Transparency.

1. Communication Plan 2. Community Workforce Planning Team 3. Futures Academy 4. Grants and Partnership Development 5. Pathway Support – Human Resources 6. Pilot Schools 7. Rebound 8. Response to Intervention/Enrich 9. Security 10. SynapticMash/Promethean Implementation

TO: Board of Education FROM: John L. Barry CC: Leadership Team DATE: December 14, 2010 RE: Quarterly Update –Communication Plan Recent Actions

The Communication Team continues implementing the APS communication plan with a focus on the following goals and activities.

Goal: Increase transparent two-way communication with stakeholders.

Examples of activities include:

o Continued support of VISTA 2015. Worked with Accountability and Research to create

promotional materials.

Goal: Build awareness of unique and innovative opportunities offered

by APS schools. Examples of activities include:

o Successfully hosted and promoted Professional Learning and Conference grand opening.

o Continued planning and support for the Paving the Way to Success brick fundraising campaign.

o Successfully promoted the Community Workforce Planning Team’s Dec. 1 news conference that included more than 25 partners from higher education, industry, economic and workforce development. The news conference also featured Governor Bill Ritter and positively showcased APS pathways students.

Goal: Build awareness of 2008 Bond and Mill Levy projects and how

they benefit students, staff and the community. Examples of activities

include:

o Continued communication planning and message development about Bond/Mill Levy funded technology projects, including the Microsoft Migration Plan.

Next Steps:

Continue to support two-way communication.

Continue to build awareness of APS academic and career pathways.

Continue to promote positive news stories and news conferences.

Continue to promote bond and mill levy projects. To view the communication plan, please visit comm.aurorak12.org/comm.-plan.

TO: Board of Education FROM: John L. Barry CC: Leadership Team DATE: December 14, 2010 RE: Quarterly Update – Community Workforce Planning Team Recent Actions:

The CWPT completed the goals/tasks for the five-year plan. A final draft is being prepared for distribution at the December 1 press conference. Members gave permission for Georgia Duran to edit for consistency and clarity as long as the intent/concepts remained the same. The Board will receive a copy of the five-year plan as well as an executive summary as soon as they are available.

Attendance at the November meeting was outstanding (16 outside members attending) and response to the press conference has been excellent.

At its December 15 meeting, the CWPT will finalize and confirm the five-year plan. The main focus of the meeting will be developing the charge, constituency and general organization for the advisory groups to support pathways.

Issues to be Addressed:

The goal is to maintain the same level of interest and enthusiasm that was apparent at the November meeting. Now that the CWPT is ready to begin the actual work outlined in the goals and tasks, this should support greater community engagement. Outside entities, organizations and businesses will continue to be invited to join the CWPT. The press conference should help highlight the work of the group and could stimulate more participation/membership.

Next Steps:

On January 12, CWPT members will be preparing to present to the Board of Education as well as to their own boards and constituencies in February. Beginning on March 16, the CWPT will begin to meet quarterly for one and one-half hours with the final meeting this school year scheduled for May 18. Four meetings will be scheduled for next school year as the CWPT continues with its five-year plan.

TO: Board of Education FROM: John L. Barry CC: Leadership Team DATE: December 14, 2010 RE: Quarterly Update - Futures Academy Enrollment

The 2010 October count numbers for Futures Academy are as follow:

Continuing dropout students from last year - 39

New dropouts - 23

Aurora Central direct placements - 21

Gateway direct placements - 26

Hinkley direct placements - 19

Rangeview direct placements - 22

Total Futures Academy students - 150

Dual enrollment in Futures and Pickens Technical College - 13

Student Support There continue to be challenges with the mix of students created by bringing together recovered dropouts and direct placements from the traditional high schools. These challenges are manifested by an overall increase in truancy rates, disengagement from school and disruptive behavior. Futures staff implemented a climate survey feedback tool to solicit information about the culture from students. That information was then presented to students in a community forum for additional feedback and discussion. Additional measures have since been put in place for safety and plans are in place to create a student advisory council. It has become clear to CYC leadership that the person leading the Futures school should be one who has educational and school administrator qualifications. As a result, CYC recently eliminated the Aurora Program Director position. CYC has posted a Principal position in an effort to hire a leader with both formal training and experience as a school principal. Student Success Futures’ staff met Isabel in July 2010. She is a quiet young lady who had dropped out of school in the spring of 2010, and subsequently enrolled in Futures this fall. She was initially very nonchalant about the Futures program. However when school started, she became a ‘rock star’ and has not missed one day of school since the beginning of the school year. In fact, she has the best attendance in the entire program and was recently recognized at the Futures Academy community meeting for having superb attendance. Isabel is also doing a great job in her 060 level math class and maintains an average over 100 percent (she even turns in extra credit work)! Isabel’s goal is to go to Community

College of Aurora, and she recently attended the CCA’s Preview Days with the Futures Staff and students. Isabel is definitely heading down the right path. Stephanie R. was constantly skipping class and lying about her whereabouts. On days when she attended school, she would talk the entire class and not turn in her work. There were phone calls made to Stephanie’s home, and multiple conversations with staff regarding her behavior. This quarter, Stephanie seems to have taken our conversations to heart and has begun to show great maturity. She attends class regularly, comes to school on time, turns in her work and no longer lies about her whereabouts. Small steps eventually turn into leaps and bounds, and Stephanie is a great example of a student who is well on her way.

TO: Board of Education FROM: John L. Barry CC: Leadership Team DATE: December 14, 2010 RE: Quarterly Update – Grants and Partnership Development Recent Actions: Grants that have been awarded for the 2010-11school year:

First quarter:

Colorado Health Foundation: The Colorado Health Foundation awarded APS a four year

grant in the amount of $800,000 in support of Crawford and Laredo‟s Kid Clinics. Colorado Department of Education: CDE awarded APS $922,533.00 in support of 14 elementary schools continued or new implementation of the Read to Achieve Program. Colorado Department of Education: CDE, through the McKinney-Vento Homeless

Assistance Program, awarded APS $38,029 in support of homeless services for middle school students. Colorado Department of Education: The Building Excellent Schools Today (BEST) Grant

awarded Hinkley High School support for replacing their stage rigging. Target: Target awarded $40,000 in support of parent engagement activities and resources for 8-10 elementary schools. Challenge Foundation: The Challenge Foundation awarded Montview and Clyde Miller

support in purchasing technology equipment for two classrooms. The total award was $4,000. Tri County Health Department: APS received $7,500 in reimbursement support from the Tri County Health Department for H1N1 supplies. Urban Advantage: Metropolitan Denver Urban Advantage (UA Denver), a new program

designed to improve science literacy among urban middle-school science students. APS received $2,000 from UA in support of teacher professional development efforts. Lutheran Family Services: Lutheran Family Services received support from the United Way to implement a refugee assistance program at Boston K-8.

Second Quarter:

Colorado Health Foundation: The Colorado Health Foundation awarded APS a two year grant in the amount of $353,398 in support of “Medicaid Partnership, Providing Comprehensive Public Insurance Assistance.”

Colorado Department of Education: APS will receive significant funding support through CDE‟s 2010 High School Graduation Initiative Grant. Funding levels have yet to be determined, but it is anticipated that APS will be one of the larger supported districts. This grant is in support of „system change‟ level to implement proven frameworks in dropout prevention.

Colorado Department of Education: CDE, through the School Counselor Corp Grant, presented APS a “Performance Award” of $145,516 in support of expanding counselor capacity.

Target: Target awarded $30,000 in support of Early Childhood Education libraries at Jamaica Child Development Center and Laredo Child Development Center. Four classrooms libraries between both centers, individual books will be given to each student, affecting approximately 500 students and Parent Literacy Nights will be held at each site during the course of the school year. Regis University: Regis University and APS have received the State of Colorado, Department of Higher Education Improving Teacher Quality Grant in the amount of $279,680. This grant will support teacher and administrator ELL professional development and LDE endorsements.

Next Steps:

Morgridge Family Foundation: Grant to outfit the Vista Peak High School with Promethean

Boards.

Safe Schools, Healthy Students: A federal grant that supports the efforts of a consortium of

organizations in the development of communitywide approaches to creating safe and drug-free schools and promoting healthy childhood development. Programs are intended to prevent violence and the illegal use of drugs and to promote safety and discipline. The consortium will include Aurora Public Schools, Cherry Creek Schools, the City of Aurora, the Adams and Arapahoe Counties Judicial systems, as well and the Aurora Police Department, Tri-County Health and aurora Mental Health.

TO: Board of Education

FROM: John L. Barry

CC: Leadership Team

DATE: December 14, 2010

RE: Quarterly Update – Division of Human Resources Pathway Support

Recent Actions:

Aurora Boettcher Teacher Residency Program

In collaboration with the Boettcher Foundation, the Public Education & Business Coalition and the University of Denver’s Morgridge College of Education, APS has implementation the Aurora Boettcher Teacher Residency program. This teacher-training model borrows from the medical residency model to integrate graduate coursework with hands-on experiences in urban school environments. Residents are paired with strong, experienced teachers who understand and have been successful meeting the unique needs of urban students.

APS has nine Resident Teachers placed at Vista PEAK, Iowa and Peoria.

Teach For America (TFA)

Due to budget cuts and reduced hiring needs, last February APS exercised contract options to terminate the original agreement with TFA for 2010-11. The original agreement required APS to pay a yearly fee of $1750.00 per TFA teacher.

In May 2010, TFA representatives offered a new agreement that included no fee to the APS for employing TFA teachers. The agreement applied to the second year of employment for TFA teachers hired in 2009-10 and to both the first year and second year of employment of TFA teachers hired in 2010-11. TFA teachers are paid like all other teachers based on placement on the APS salary schedule.

There are currently 15 TFA teachers providing instruction to APS students at 10 different sites as classroom instructors or Special Education instructors.

Career and Technical Education

Recent changes in state statutes have expanded options for teacher candidates seeking Career and Technical Education (CTE) alternative licensure. One option allows teachers who have not completed a 4 year teacher licensure program to become authorized to teach by successfully completing the Teacher Authorization Program (TAP) along with their school district's induction program.

Pickens Technical College staff is working with CDE, Littleton Public Schools and the Colorado Community College System to make this option available to teacher candidates. Assistant Principal Mark Kunimune and other Picken’s staff have been instrumental in developing courses and curriculum for the program.

Metro State Alternative Licensure Program (formerly – Metro Teacher in Residence)

APS continues to partner with Metropolitan State College of Denver in offering an Alternative License Program. Through this program APS employs math, science and special education teachers who are licensed and highly qualified, while they simultaneously take coursework through the college.

Currently, APS has 13 staff members participating in the Teacher in Residence program.

Issues to be addressed:

Costs for any alternative licensure program.

Expanding the options for teachers seeking CTE licensure through the TAP. Next Steps:

Determine what will be teacher shortage areas for 2011-12 as consideration for alternative licensure programs.

Evaluate the Aurora Boettcher Teacher Residence Program and determine the feasibility of expanding the program for the 2011-12 school year.

Negotiate contract with TFA to continue a no fee placement of TFA teachers.

Determine viability of APS staff teaching TAP classes.

TO: Board of Education FROM: John L. Barry CC: Leadership Team DATE: December 14, 2010 RE: Quarterly Update - Pilot Schools Recent Actions The Horizon Uptown design team met with the Joint Steering Committee on October 11 and was granted its request to postpone the school opening until 2012-2013. This grants a one-year extension from the initial proposal. Krista Sprenger from Horizon Uptown re-confirmed the company is still committed to the project and Pilot Schools. The design team will continue planning and developing curriculum. The JSC voted, per agreement, by secret ballot and the request passed by at least a two-thirds margin. Because of the problems created by the principal’s sudden resignation after fall break 2009 for health reasons, Fletcher Primary and Fletcher Intermediate School for Science and Technology have been granted an extra year to meet the stated/required expectations that their schools exceed district averages on state tests (ACT and CELA) after the end of the third year. They now have until after the end of their fourth year to meet this requirement. This means that in the Fall of 2013, each school will undertake the full School Quality Review to determine if their schools’ progress on all stated goals and expectations for Pilot Schools have been met (refer to Pilot School Manual, pages 43-48). JSC members discussed whether both schools or just Fletcher Intermediate should be granted the extension. Because of problems created by changing only one deadline when both schools share the same site, some students and some staff, it was decided that both schools should receive the extension. JSC voted on each request individually and both passed per secret ballot vote by two-thirds margin. Issues to be Addressed At its meeting on January 10, JSC will be discussing the progress of Pilot Schools to-date in order to provide any suggestions or background information that will be helpful to use during negotiations in 2011 relating to the Memorandum of Understanding for Pilot Schools. This information will be provided to the Board and its bargaining team as well as the bargaining team for AEA. The JSC will also be planning the walk-throughs for Fletcher Primary, Fletcher Intermediate and William Smith High School that will take place in April 2011. Last year, Jeanette Carmany joined the walk-through team as an observer. Any board member is welcome to do the same in April 2011. As soon as dates are established, they will be provided.

Also, the JSC will be discussing how to organize and prepare for the first School Quality Review for William Smith High School in fall 2011 since the school completes its third year as a Pilot School in May 2011. This is a formal process and resembles school accreditation in content and outcomes. Next Steps The JSC will be discussing how to consider specific demographics for Pilot Schools and the impact this has on the ability of a school to exceed district averages. Schools like Fletcher Primary and Fletcher Intermediate far exceed district demographic averages on free and reduced lunch and English Language Learners. On the other hand, because it is a school of choice, William Smith High School has a population more similar to Rangeview High School and thus already exceeds district averages. How should these factors be considered in determining how schools are meeting goals? Now that growth data is available, should this be considered as well? JSC will discuss and, if deemed necessary, make a recommendation to the Board of Education for consideration.

TO: Board of Education FROM: John L. Barry CC: Leadership Team DATE: December 14, 2010 RE: Quarterly Update – Rebound Enrollment:

Currently there are 213 out of a possible 240 students enrolled. REBOUND South has 79 students enrolled in the two day sessions and 27 students attending the night session. REBOUND North has 74 students attending the two day sessions and 35 attending the night session. The average daily attendance rated is 81%. There are currently 66 Expelled students attending, 73 Dropout Recovery students attending and 74 Direct Placement students attending. Graduation: There are 26 students who will be eligible to graduate mid-year. We will have a graduation ceremony at 4:30 PM on December 19 at the Community College of Aurora. Currently we have 43 students scheduled to graduate at the end of the year. Miscellaneous:

Youth Direction's Director has again been to both sites and enrolled our students in their mentoring program. Both locations also had a gang prevention week that included guest speakers from Open Doors. Based on our previous experience each Center now has an APS provided Special Education teacher working with the staff and students. Special Education is more involved this year and there is a stronger team approach between Ombudsman and the Special Education Department of Aurora Public Schools. The Community College of Aurora sent a representative to help the mid-year graduates register for college, and to help the student apply for financial aid. Education Opportunity Center held a workshop for the students to assist these young adults with college and career prep. Arapahoe-Douglas outreach service came to both locations to help students with job searching techniques. Aurora Public School, State Farm and Ombudsman have formalized a process whereby State Farm agents and employees will regularly visit our Centers to instruct, mentor and enhance the educational experience of our students.

Plans are in place to operate a robust 2011 summer school program with financial support from State Farm. CYC continues to arrange teen parenting classes for students.

TO: Board of Education FROM: John L. Barry CC: Leadership Team DATE: December 14, 2010 RE: Quarterly Update: Response to Intervention/Enrich Recent Actions:

Yvonne (Scottie) Menin-Hicks, Angela Richardson and Kimberly Patten continue in their roles as District RtI Coordinators providing building-level support for Response to Intervention implementation. Enrich Update:

The Enrich program will house all plans for students in one place; these plans include RtI Plans, 504 Plans, Individual Learning Plans, Advanced Learning Plans, and Individual Education Plans for all students.

Currently, there are over 2000 users.

Schools are continuing to use the program to track RtI plans and to monitor student achievement.

All buildings have used Enrich to update Individual Learning Plans and elementary schools are using Enrich to update Mondo/DRA II data.

District RtI Coordinators continue to provide ongoing support for Enrich in their buildings, and they are also supporting Exceptional Student Services by providing “Basic Navigation of Enrich” training for Special Education staff in preparation for Individual Education Plans transitioning to Enrich next semester.

Issues to be Addressed:

Finalize update to the RtI Guidebook.

Increase parent involvement in the RtI process.

Support building coordinators and ISTs in utilizing Enrich more, including progress monitoring of behavior and academic interventions.

Support building coordinators and ISTs in completing the RtI Needs Assessment via Survey Monkey.

Next Steps:

Ongoing training for RtI Coordinators and Administrators (support forums and Enrich work sessions), as well as “Basic Navigation of Enrich” training for Special Education Staff.

Continued building support with RtI implementation.

Continued work with Excent (the developers of Enrich) to refine the program based on user feedback and need.

Using information from the Needs Assessment Survey and videos of Instructional Support Teams, the District RtI Committee and the District RtI Coordinators will plan their support of buildings for 2nd semester and also for the 2011-2012 school year.

TO: Board of Education FROM: John L. Barry CC: Leadership Team DATE: December 14, 2010 RE: Quarterly Update – Security Department

Goals:

Revamp the template for security reviews by August.

Schedule one tabletop and one functional drill for 2010-11.

Create a flexible work schedule by August 2010 for security officers to integrate their work more with the schools, campus monitors, SRO’s and building administrators to effectively improve safety and security.

Work with Chief Operating Officer to ensure National Incident Management System (NIMS) compliance by January 2011.

Create a data wall and graphs that have department goals, key performance indicators and measurable for vandalism, false alarms, playground ranking, school security plan alignment and grants applied for and received by October 2010.

Successfully complete Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) grant by October 2010.

Have all schools cameras standardized to the Bosch system by October 2010.

Schedule and provide a minimum of 10 security trainings per year for district staff.

Develop a school zone traffic assessment by May 2011 and evaluate elementary and K-8 sites throughout the 2011-12 school year to develop standards that meet state requirements.

Recent Actions:

43 site security reviews completed so far using revised security review template.

Tabletop exercise held Oct. 14, 2010. Functional drill scheduled for June 8, 2010.

46 sites have participated in a mini tabletop with APD and the security department.

Provided teacher supervision training to high schools, middle schools and K-8’s. 15 additional trainings on personal safety, emergency plans and school safety provided to support site staff, and parents.

Four security officers are now assigned to day shift patrolling schools, truancy sweeps, trespass enforcement, assisting school administration and law enforcement in investigations.

157 designated district staff members have completed both National Incident Management System (NIMS) courses.

Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) grant successfully completed with camera additions at high schools and middle schools.

All district camera DVR’s systems have been upgraded to the Bosch system.

Data wall complete and on display in the security department.

Emergency Procedures Guidebook updated and in the printing process. Next Steps:

School zone traffic assessments completion.

Thirty-two (32) designated district staff members still need to take National Incident Management System (NIMS) course to support the districts National Incident Management System (NIMS)compliance plan.

Research and apply for grants to subsidize security technologies for the district.

Have all playgrounds meet Consumer Product Safety Commission Guidelines and ASTM standards by 2013.

Update individual Emergency Plans at sites as needed.

Distribute updated Emergency Procedures Guidebook to each APS staff member.

TO: Board of Education FROM: John L. Barry CC: Leadership Team DATE: December 14, 2010 RE: Quarterly Update: SynapticMash/Promethean Implementation The SynapticMash – now called the ‘Promethean’ program will serve as an integrated data reporting system that will consolidate many functions that have, to present, been housed in disparate reporting systems including ICAM, Edusoft, and Infinite Campus. The transition to Synaptic Mash was made possible via financial contribution from the Morgridge Family Foundation and replaces the previously utilized Edusoft assessment management system. Recent Actions: Implementation meetings are being conducted on a weekly basis between Promethean and Aurora Public Schools personnel. The Aurora Public Schools team includes staff from the Division of Support Services (Application Services) and the Division of Accountability and Research. Application Services personnel include: Carisa Hull, Project Manager; Patty Roundy, Functional Analyst; and Bob Renwick, Analyst/Programmer. Representation from the Division of Accountability & Research includes Lisa Escarcega, Chief Accountability and Research Officer; Dan Jorgensen, Assistant Director; and Kim Terry, Assessment Coordinator. In addition, grade book development meetings have been initiated and a planning committee has been established. SynapticMash Update:

Promethean World Pic (LSE: PRW), the interactive learning technology company acquired SynapticMash Inc. earlier in the year. Company representatives have informed us that service delivery would in no way be impacted by this change.

Scan/score processes have been further pilot tested for winter interim assessment administration.

All teachers have individual logins with their own home page (which they did not have in Edusoft) and with one click can run reports that include, proficiency, item analysis, and standards analysis. In addition, all directors, instructional coordinators, and building administrators have working logins. District coaches will be assigned rights within the next week.

Next Steps:

Complete roll-out of relevant features of Promethean’s ExamQube to support interim assessment administration, scoring, and reporting.

Completion of the integration of Promethean with existing APS data systems.

Provide onsite trainings for school assessment coordinators so they can train staff on how to navigate the Promethean system.