Education California | The official newspaper of the Association of California School Administrators Volume 48 | Number 3 | July 24 , 2017
Input sought on accountability plan
Mistee Hightower-Guzman enjoys the daily interaction with students .
Reaching more students
When Mistee Hightower- Guzman decided to study instructional leadership , she knew she wanted to reach more than the 70 or so students in her two core classes . Becoming an assistant principal allowed
The State Board of Education deliberated for more than eight hours July 12 on the various components of the new accountability system and the emerging system of support . Finessing the California School Dashboard and reconciling it with the draft Every Student Succeeds Act State Plan is proving to be harder than anticipated .
Legislative Advocate Martha Alvarez , who oversees the actions of the SBE for ACSA , said the association was fortunate to have Ralph Porras , chair of ACSA ’ s Accountability and Continuous Improvement Task Force , speak on behalf of our members on items before the board .
The California Department of Education staff presented functional changes to the dashboard for fall 2017 . Administrators and other stakeholders are encouraged to share major structural changes the CDE could consider making to the dashboard for fall 2018 .
“ We are pleased that a newly established California Advisory Task Force on Alternative Schools includes strong representation from ACSA ’ s Educational Options Council , as this group will consider a unique set of indicators for alternative schools ,” Alvarez said .
The SBE approved the eligibility criteria alternative schools of choice and charter schools must meet to qualify as alterna-
See SBE , page 2
Getting an early start
Motivation provided by messages in school
Ask Victor Ramirez-Diaz to describe his old self , he ’ ll give you a blunt answer .
“ I was a lazy person ,” Ramirez-Diaz said . “ I didn ’ t want to get up for school . I just didn ’ t feel like working . Writing a lot . Reading . I just didn ’ t feel like getting up . It was too much , honestly .”
Victor ’ s lack of motivation led to his expulsion from his comprehensive school . He eventually landed at David Stine Chaffey West , a community day school that helps at-risk and behaviorally challenged students . It ’ s not uncommon to see motivational speakers on campus to help students realize their potential .
“ It ’ s very normal , whether it ’ s from the military , entrepreneurs , community members ,” teacher Tyrese Crawford said . “ We definitely want to echo that as often as we can . They may not receive the message if it ’ s the first time . And we will keep on
Periodicals
Dated Material her to do just that , and to learn from amazing administrators what it takes to be a great leader .
Now , as vice principal of East Avenue Middle School in Livermore , she has been named
Margaret Lynch makes it a point to greet each student as they arrive at Juan
Cabrillo School in Wiseburn USD .
Margaret Lynch knows that a good education begins early on – early in childhood as well as first thing in the morning . She begins the day by greeting each student at Cabrillo School as they enter the gates , showing every child that they matter to their principal .
For her excellence in leadership , learning and teaching , Lynch has been selected as ACSA ’ s 2018 Elementary Principal of the Year .
See CO-ADMIN , page 5 See PRINCIPAL , page 5
ACSA ’ s Every Student Succeeding Awards program includes our 19-part series leading up to the ESS luncheon at the 2017 Leadership Summit . Watch the videos on these remarkable recipients at Facebook , YouTube and www . acsa . org .
Victor Ramirez-Diaz found the motivation he needed at David Stine Chaffey West School .
telling them until they finally get it . And it becomes second nature to not be lazy , to motivate themselves , to understand that
they might have to be independent to know that they have control over their own future .
See ESS , page 6
The 2017 Summer Institute of the California Association of Latino Superintendents and Administrators did an impressive job of meeting most – if not all – association goals .
Comments gleaned during the institute revealed attendees had a great time :
• “ We ’ re on it bright and early . Small focus groups are starting a full day of networking , and so much more .”
• “ Glad to see CALSA tradition in supporting Latino scholarships , and see the ‘ sea of brown ’ continuing to grow .”
• “ It felt great to join the CALSA Familia at the Summer Institute this week and see the incredible leadership coming
Run for ACSA VP . The nomination window for 2018-19 vice president of ACSA is now open , with a deadline of Sept . 8 , 2017 . The office of VP is key in helping set the direction of the association , and is the direct route to the presidency . To prepare for this role , service on the Board of Directors or Delegate Assembly as region president or state chairperson is preferable . ACSA aims to present a slate of more than one candidate . Duties include attending all board meetings and being prepared to perform the board president ’ s duties if called upon . Nomination form may be found online at www . acsa . org / VPnominations .
Comic Con contest . Pop Culture Classroom is launching a new Excellence in Graphic Literature Awards program , celebrating the best in fiction and non-fiction graphic novels and honoring the creators , publishers and educators using them to ignite a love of learning . The first awards will be handed out June 15-17 , 2018 at next year ’ s Denver Comic Con . Visit www . PopCultureClassroom . org to learn more about the non-profit ’ s goals , programs and objectives .
Charter TF working . The ACSA Charter School Task Force met in Burlingame for two days last week to continue its work on defining a set of principles on charter schools . Transparency and accountability are key areas of discussion , and ACSA Legislative Advocate Cathy McBride is collating the ideas and comments and working with Task Force Chair Debra Odom to move the agenda .
New school unveiled . Chula Vista ESD Board , city officials and community members , were on hand July 14 at a ribbon-cutting and dedication of Saburo Muraoka Elementary School , the district ’ s showcase new campus at 1644 Santa Alexia Ave . The $ 51 million two-story structure includes 36 classrooms , “ makerspaces ,” and a digital media / library . It was named for a thriving agricultural businessman who lost everything after Pearl Harbor , only to return and live out his days in Chula Vista .
Summer Institute celebrates CALSA goals
from Latino leaders all over California .”
• “ Thank you for another amazing experience . Cisco Education is a proud partner of this powerful organization !”
• “ Menudo or Posole ? Only CALSA Familia at the Summer Institute . Breakfast of Champions .”
• “ We have CALSA and ACSA collaborations happening !”
• “ Thank you , Dr . Ramon Reza , for sharing your amazing and inspiring story with all of us . We are grateful .”
• “ Dr . Trudy Arriaga absolutely nailing it about opening doors for ALL students to be prepared and supported to take AP courses .”
See CALSA , page 6