ACSA can offer contract assistance
2 EDCAL February 12,2018
Schools to Watch represent best of middle schools
Twenty-two new high-performing California middle schools have been recognized in the 2017-18 Schools to Watch – Taking Center Stage program . They join 24 previously chosen schools whose sustained progress allows them to retain their Schools to Watch designation .
“ Congratulations to these schools for doing excellent work to help students believe in themselves , set high goals , and dream big ,” Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson said . “ These schools are outstanding examples of how educational innovations can keep students engaged and learning throughout a transitional time in their lives .”
These high-performing model schools demonstrate academic excellence , social equity and responsiveness to the needs of young adolescents . For example , Fruitvale Junior High School in Bakersfield has created an outstanding forensic medical science program , allowing students to experience science hands-on and use their skills of analysis , inquiry and observation . And San Marcos Middle School has implemented a curriculum that challenges students to think critically , which resulted in high performance in student writing .
The 22 newly designated Schools to Watch are :
• Traweek Middle School , Covina- Valley Unified School District , Los Angeles County .
• Hollydale School and Paramount Park Middle School , Paramount USD , Los Angeles County .
• Sierra Vista Middle School , Covina-
Valley USD , Los Angeles County .
• El Segundo Middle School , El Segundo USD , Los Angeles County .
• Griffiths Middle School and Mary R . Stauffer Middle School , Downey USD , Los Angeles County .
• San Benancio Middle School , Washington Union School District , Salinas County .
• Liberty Middle School , Lemoore Union Elementary School District , Kings County .
• Mountain View Middle School , Moreno Valley USD , Riverside County .
• Indio Middle School , Desert Sands USD , Riverside County .
• Golden Valley Middle School , San Bernardino City USD , San Bernardino , County .
• Vina Danks Middle School , Ontario- Montclair School District , San Bernardino County .
• Sequoia Middle School , Fontana USD , San Bernardino County .
• Los Osos Middle School , San Luis Coastal USD , San Luis Obispo County .
• De Anza Magnet School , El Centro Elementary School District , Imperial County .
• Live Oak Middle School , Live Oak USD , Sutter County .
• Hilton D . Bell Intermediate School , Garden Grove USD , Orange County .
• Cerro Villa Middle School , Orange USD , Orange County .
• Ladera Vista Junior High School of the Arts , Fullerton School District , Orange County .
• Fruitvale Junior High School , Fruitvale
ESD , Kern County .
• San Marcos Middle School , San Marcos USD , San Diego County .
The Schools to Watch program is sponsored by the California Department of Education , California League of Middle Schools and the California Middle Grades Alliance . To earn this designation , schools must complete an extensive application that
Advocates Corner
It ’ s that time of year when job searches for superintendent positions are in full swing . If you are successful in securing a new position , make certain that you take the time to carefully review your proposed contract .
Each year ACSA Member Assistance Advocates assist more than 100 members with contract reviews and have reviewed more than 1,500 contracts over the past 18 years . The ACSA Contract Review Service is provided at no additional cost to members . It ’ s one of the many valuable services included in your ACSA membership .
To take advantage of this service , simply call ( 800 ) 608-2272 and ask for a Member Assistance Advocate . is reviewed by middle grades experts . In order to retain the designation , each school is re-evaluated every three years .
All of the schools will be recognized in Sacramento at the California Middle Grades Alliance annual luncheon March 1 . For more information about the program , visit www . clms . net / stw .
ACSA can offer contract assistance
Remember , the district ’ s legal counsel does not represent you during contract negotiations .
Besides contract assistance , Member Assistance Advocates can provide help in a number of areas , including breach of employment contract , tenure rights , credentialing problems , and more .
Regular ACSA membership gives you access to trained and experienced Member Assistance Advocates to protect your due process rights . Our advocates have a proven track record in resolving work-related concerns before they become a lawsuit .
Go to the ACSA website at www . acsa . org / memberservices to find out more .
SBE
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However , while much of the recent attention has been placed on the 228 school districts identified for differentiated assistance this year , ACSA encourages the state agencies responsible for building the appropriate support infrastructure to not lose sight of the resources and supports that county offices of education , CCEE and other state agencies could provide for all districts and schools under Level 1 .
“ Strengthening the support for all districts and schools ( Level 1 ) will serve as a reminder that all LEAs can continuously improve as our school and district leaders strive to close the achievement gaps ,” Alvarez said , adding that the association is particularly pleased to learn about the
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CDE Special Education Division ’ s efforts to restructure its staff , monitoring and technical support activities .
“ Of note , our members look forward to the revamped existing resources and technical assistance hub to align to current LCAP priorities and better inform the field on evidenced-based solutions , resources , and links to currently identified special education challenges ,” she said . “ We have administrators whose districts were identified for differentiated assistance as a result of the performance of students with disabilities , and who have reiterated their support for the creation of county-led professional learning communities to facilitate networking among high- and low-performing districts with similar demographics .
“ There is interest in the field to improve partnerships for higher-achieving districts who performed in the Green or Blue perfor-
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mance categories ( on the California School Dashboard ) for students with disabilities to share effective practices . This networking could also be facilitated for other student groups , including English learners and lowincome students .”
And , ACSA continues to urge alignment of funding under the new accountability system . Under the Local Control Funding Formula , the supplemental and concentration grant funds are focused on increasing or improving services for low-income , English learner and foster youth students . Yet , under the new System of Support , approximately two-thirds of the districts identified for differentiated assistance are based upon the performance of students with disabilities .
“ As the state continues to consider how to improve the internal capacity of school districts , schools and their staffs , it is important that we acknowledge a misalignment in our state funding and accountability systems ,” Alvarez wrote . “ While the LCFF
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statute may need to change , and that is a legislative request , we encourage the SBE to consider whether the identification of a specific student group – such as students with disabilities – should trigger flexibility or even a requirement to redirect LCFF supplemental and concentration funds to that identified student group in their LCAP .
“ School districts would benefit in receiving additional funds or greater flexibility to better support students who are not making progress on two or more of the LCFF priorities as referenced in statute .”
Alvarez told the SBE ACSA stands ready to promote these efforts , and welcomes the opportunity to be a thought-partner and leverage ACSA members ’ expertise in building local capacity .
ACSA Governmental Relations staff encourage members to visit the ACSA website at www . acsa . org / accountability for resources on understanding the new accountability and support system and the latest updates from the field .
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