Report looks at inequities for CA student majority
Clear your credential with ACSA help
Periodicals Dated Material
Education California | The official newspaper of the Association of California School Administrators Volume 47 | Number 15 | January 8 , 2018
ACSA offers resources on new Dashboard
ACSA is supporting the work of education leaders with professional development and networks of support on effective use of the California School Dashboard , the state ’ s new system of multiple measures for student and school performance .
The dashboard is a website ( www . caschooldashboard . org ) that aims to provide valuable information on multiple topics regarding school and student performance in an easy-to-understand report card format . The information includes test scores , graduation rates and college and career readiness metrics . The launch follows a pilot version released in March .
“ California is making a series of major shifts in public education with one overriding goal : To improve learning so all students can be successful in school , college , work and life ,” said ACSA Executive Director Wes Smith . “ We are raising academic standards , empowering local school communities , renewing our commitment to equity , and changing the way we evaluate and support schools . Under the premise
SPI candidates that every student , school and district can continuously improve , we encourage each of you to use the dashboard and your local data to inform your practices and local decisions on budget priorities .”
CDE resources are available in both English and Spanish to tailor messages to local communities and encourage parents and school staff to become familiar with the California School Dashboard . Resources include talking points , a letter to parents , core messages and key points . In addition , the CDE ’ s Dashboard Communication Toolkit and CCEE Training Modules schedule can be accessed on the ACSA website at www . acsa . org / accountability .
The release of the dashboard took place at the same time California launched its new Statewide System of Support for Local Educational Agencies and schools , which provides assistance for all districts , and has special targeted support for districts that face significant challenges in lifting the performance of struggling student groups .
ACSA resources on the system of sup-
A group of ACSA leaders met with the two leading candidates for state superintendent of public instruction : Marshall Tuck , above , and Tony Thurmond , both posing with ACSA Executive Director Wes Smith . The two were interviewed by ACSA as part of the process of earning ACSA ’ s endorsement in the race . Both candidates were interviewed extensively on their positions on the many issues facing K-12 education in California . An announcement on ACSA ’ s endorsement will be announced soon . port and differentiated assistance , including an ACSA / CCSESA fact sheet , frequently asked questions , talking points and more , can be found at https :// goo . gl / 5n5exh .
“ This is a critical moment in our education reform efforts because we are now turning data into direct action by identifying districts that face challenges in certain areas and providing them with help rather than sanctions ,” said State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson . “ The Dashboard helps all schools and districts improve by identifying strengths and weaknesses in many different areas , allowing parents , teachers , students , and communities to target their resources toward areas where improvement is needed . It also highlights the performance of student groups , making disparities or achievement gaps impossible to ignore .”
The California School Dashboard is a
See DASHBOARD , page 3
Report looks at inequities for CA student majority
The Education Trust-West ’ s “ Majority Report : Supporting the Educational Success of Latino Students in California ” provides an extensive look at how the state ’ s largest ethnic group is faring at every level of California ’ s education system .
The report finds that while the more than 3 million Latino students in K-12 schools are the majority of California ’ s 6.2 million K-12 population , and nearly 1 million Latino students are in California ’ s public colleges and universities , these students continue to face troubling inequities from early learning through higher education . California ’ s Latino students :
• Attend the nation ’ s most segregated schools .
• Are often tracked away from collegepreparatory coursework .
• Are sometimes perceived as less academically capable than their White or Asian peers .
• Have insufficient access to early childhood education .
• Are less likely to feel connected to their school environment .
• Are more likely to be required to take remedial courses at colleges and universities .
The study also highlights bright spots throughout the state , where promising practices are helping Latino students advance academically , dispelling the myth that these gaps cannot be closed , and reiterating the need for more action and urgency from state leaders .
The Majority Report online resources
See REPORT , page 7
Membership cards . A printing error resulted in a number of ACSA members receiving inaccurate membership cards in the mail . The error has been rectified and correct membership cards have been mailed out . Please know that the card information contained no financial , medical or Social Security number information and you should simply dispose of the incorrect cards . ACSA sincerely regrets any inconvenience or anxiety caused by this error .
ECC registration . Nearly 1,200 people were registered at year ’ s end for the Every Child Counts Symposium , presented by ACSA ’ s Student Services and Special Education Council Feb . 14-16 in Anaheim . There ’ s plenty of room left for this world-class learning event , featuring excellent opportunities for development and networking . Find out more at www . acsa . org / ecc .
World resource . If you didn ’ t get “ The World Almanac and Book of Facts 2018 ” for Christmas , consider adding it to your collection now . The “ World Almanac ” takes a look back at 2017 , while providing information needed to answer questions in 2018 . Visit www . worldalmanac . com .
LCAP planning . ACSA is hosting a Future Ready Schools workshop : LCAP Planning , Jan . 23 from 9 a . m . to noon at our Sacramento offices . Information on LCAP alignment will be presented by staff from the California Department of Education , and parent-teacher data collection tools will be shared . Hear how site-level principals can help their schools be future ready . The free workshop is limited to four leadership attendees per district and will also be held Jan . 22 at the Santa Clara County Office of Education . Register at http :// futureready . org / events / caworkshops .
Clear your credential with ACSA help
ACSA Educational Services Executive Tracy Robinson says the association ’ s Clear Administrative Credential Program is distinguished by coaching that meets the individual needs of candidates .
“ Our program is California Commission on Teacher Credentialing approved , with one-on-one coaches who work with candidates at their sites ,” Robinson said , adding that professional development is designed to support and accelerate school leadership practice that positively impacts student learning .
All CACP coaches are well trained , certified and up-to-date on current research , trends and policy issues . These skilled practitioners are carefully matched to candidates ’ needs and committed to support development of leadership capacity for long-term success .
The two-year Clear Administrative Credential Program for administrators seeking to clear their Administrative Services Credential provides individualized support and guidance grounded in the CTC ’ s Clear Induction Credential Program Standards and the California Professional Standards for Education Leaders .
Focusing on targeted coaching and timely and ongoing professional development , the ACSA CACP builds capacity to develop positive school cultures , Robinson said . Candidates benefit from :
• 40 hours per year of individualized , onsite leadership coaching .
• A highly trained , skilled and successful certified leadership coach .
• 20 hours of individualized professional development .
• A collaborative and supportive system for developing an induction plan and action steps .
The CACP is cohort-based , allow-
See CACP , page 5