Schools
Charter Oak Struggles to Meet Stringent Federal Education Mandates
Administrators break down the stats on district progress with No Child Left Behind, approve CSEA contract extension, seek class reduction funding.
When examining Charter Oak's AYP during the Sept. 15 school board meeting, the district found itself with many more deficiencies in NCLB requirements than in previous years with English/Language Arts and mathematics, since federal requirements mandate considerable percentage gains yearly as the target date approaches.
The AYP is a series of academic performance goals required under the federal No Child Left Behind Act.
However, the district is proficient under many other criteria, including the state's and its graduation rate district-wide is up to federal requirements.
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Washington Elementary and Willow Elementary have not met all federal components under AYP; Washington did, however, meet its mathematics component.
With Sunflower alternative schools, Oak Knoll only met its ELA proficiency, while Arrow High School and Bridges Community Day School met all NCLB requirements.
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"Even more important then a number, our goal is to improve student learning," said Jeanine Robertson, assistant superintendent of educational services. "But it will be increasingly difficult to meet our AYP targets."
The goal of NCLB and Title 1 is for all students to be 100 percent proficient in ELA and mathematics by 2014, with a focus on socioeconomically disadvantaged students.
The board approved tentative agreements reached between the district and the California School Employees Association, Chapter 309 on Sept. 7 extending the contract for an addition year.
Citing the need for a period of stability during negotiations of a successor agreement, the current three-year contract agreement will now expire June 30, 2012.
"It shows a really good collaboration between the district and the CSEA," said Terry Stanfill, assistant superintendent of human resources.
In an effort to continue keeping class sizes down in grades K-3, Charter Oak will participate in the 2011-2012 Class Size Reduction Program offered by Calif.
Districts that take part in the program receive funding based on their attendance data.
Last year, Charter Oak averaged a student-teacher ratio of 25:1. The ideal goal would be 20:1, but because of current budget problems the district will aim for a 23:1 ratio, according to Robertson.
The district is eligible for the maximum funding of just over $1 million under current calculations.
The next Charter Oak school board meeting is scheduled for Oct. 6 in the boardroom of the district service center, 20240 E. Cienega Avenue. Open session begins at 5 p.m.
