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Alhambra high school exemplary in offering AP opportunities
As schools and districts respond to appeals to expand access for students traditionally shut out of college-level courses , such as Advanced Placement , the Washington , D . C . -based Education Trust is calling on school leaders to be deliberate about ensuring their students have the best possible chance for success .
The EdTrust brief , “ Systems for Success : Thinking Beyond Access to AP ,” explores the practices of two diverse high schools , one from in California , that have achieved the dual goals of enrolling more students of color and low-income students in AP courses and increasing the percentage of students passing associated exams .
The national data shows more students of color are taking AP exams , but success rates for these students lag behind those of their peers . Between 2004 and 2013 , Black and Latino students increased the number of AP tests they took . Black students went from being 6 percent of the test-takers to 9 percent ; Latino students from 13 to 19 percent . Yet , while 57 percent of AP testtakers overall scored a 3 or above in 2013 , just 30 percent of Black AP test-takers and 42 percent of Latino test-takers scored at that level . A passing score of 3 qualifies for course credit in many colleges .
With various ongoing efforts to expand AP , including an increased focus on AP in many states ’ plans to implement the
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educators must go beyond the classroom and district offices .
“ We need to put our next generation of leaders into a position where they are prepared for college and career ,” Armelino said . “ We need to put students ’ needs first , and to
Asian and Pacific Islander leaders have formed an ACSA network that continues to grow , fostering empowerment , fellowship and collaboration .
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include advancing intentional recognition of diverse ethnicities within the Asian American category ; strengthening the pipeline to teaching and administration through mentoring and intentional recruitment ; and increasing Asian role models in political and education leadership positions .
The Asian American and Pacific Islander Leaders Network has become a respected way to engage in rich conversation that fosters empowerment , fellowship and collaboration .
Every Student Succeeds Act it ’ s critical that school leaders learn from their peers who are expanding success as well as access , according to the Education Trust .
“ While it is encouraging that school leaders are opening the doors to AP courses for more students of color , large gaps in success rates remain ,” said Ashley Griffin , interim director of P-12 research at the Education Trust . “ Our case studies show what it takes to get underserved students not just into AP , but to realize the benefits of successful AP performance .”
“ Systems for Success ” showcases Alhambra High School in California , a neighborhood school in Los Angeles that serves 2,512 students . Fifty-one percent of the students are Latino and nearly threefourths , 72 percent , qualify for free or reduced-price lunch . Alhambra ’ s AP access rate – the percentage of students taking at least one AP exam – is 35 percent , which is 10 percentage points greater than the national average . And its success rate – the percentage of test-takers who pass an exam – is 68 percent , which is 1.2 times the national average .
Alhambra boasts a school culture that promotes successful AP experiences for both students and teachers . According to Principal Duane Russell , “ AP is rigorous for the teachers , just like it is for the kids .” This prompted Russell to create systematic support for teachers , including mentor teachers , attendance to AP Summer Institute by the College Board , and a master schedule to manage all the additional classes , student requests , tutoring , and teachers ’ schedules . This system ensured that the school ’ s programs for the AP students and teachers didn ’ t conflict with each other , making it easier to attend and participate .
Also singled out was YES Prep Southwest , in Houston , Texas , serving 926 students , the majority of whom are Latino ( 89.5 percent ) and qualify for free or reduced-price lunch . The school ’ s access rate for AP is 40 percent , and its success rate is 68 percent .
Leaders at YES Prep Southwest align their curriculum , beginning in the sixth grade to progressively incorporate more rigor and critical thinking , preparing students for AP courses later in high school . The school also helps teachers through regular collaborative workshops with other AP teachers in the YES Prep network so they can share resources , plan assignments , and take advantage of peer support .
The Education Trust research asserts Alhambra and YES Prep provide clear examples of the types of actions school leaders need to take to not only give their students access to AP classes , but also a good chance of success , including :
• Master schedules provide students sufficient opportunities to take classes and attend any additional help and tutoring offered by the school .
• AP teachers are sufficiently prepared to teach the classes and have any additional support they need .
• The courses students take in the years before they take AP classes provide them with the pre-requisite levels of knowledge , skill , and rigor , i . e ., vertically align their curriculum .
• AP faculty and school leaders regularly examine their data to find areas of strength that need to be celebrated and areas of weakness that need to be addressed .
• Other , less conventional , ideas that might help students are employed , such as bringing in tutors from local colleges , and evaluating their effect .
“ The inspired leaders highlighted in this brief have two things in common ,” Griffin said . “ First , they see past the outdated assumptions that students of color are less capable of AP level work than their white peers . Second , when they create opportunities for their students to enroll in AP classes , they also create schoolwide support programs that enable both the teachers and students to successfully transition to the rigors of AP coursework .”
Find more information at https :// edtrust . org .
One-day ACSA leadership workshops , new this fall
ACSA ’ s one-day workshops have consistently attracted participants from districts throughout California , representing a cross-section of regions . The events offer an opportunity to take a deeper dive into a single subject in order to significantly enhance the learning .
Time-tested offerings include A Day in the Life of a Co-Administrator ; The Human Resources Office : The first 90 days on the job ; and Master Scheduling . ACSA is excited to announce additional opportunities this fall , including Opening Doors for Women in Leadership ; The Skillful Certificated Evaluator ; and The Skillful Classified Evaluator .
All workshops are conducted by seasoned practitioners at various levels of educational leadership . The workshops are typically kept to smaller groups , providing opportunities to meet and network with people from districts throughout the state .
Workshops encourage questions , interaction and feedback and will be held in various locations throughout California . Visit www . acsa . org / trainings for details and registration instructions for all ACSA one-day professional learning events . Following is a description about the new fall opportunities .
Women in leadership
Join the journey of one leader ’ s commitment and ability as the first woman superintendent in a large school district as she assists participants in identifying and expanding equity practices for women within their schools and districts .
Opening Doors for Women in Leadership is a workshop that delves into the unintentional practices that marginalize women in leadership . Trudy Arriaga , retired superintendent of Ventura USD , will lead the presentation focusing on contextual factors of diversity , equity , access and inclusion as they specifically relate to the role of the female leader .
The workshop is designed for leaders at all levels , who strive to create and lead culturally proficient environments with respect and celebration of the unique qualities , challenges and abilities of the women in leadership . It will be held Nov . 15 at the Ventura County Office of Education and Jan . 18 , at Orinda School District . Direct registration can be found online at www . cvent . com / d / z5qbyq .
Certificated evaluation
The Skillful Certificated Evaluator is a workshop intended for any certificated manager who evaluates certificated employees and has the responsibility to build capacity in order to enhance student achievement .
The workshops will assist managers and school districts in preparing training , establishing common language and calibrating systems to develop sound instructional leaders who can identify effective research-based instruction , provide meaningful evidencedbased feedback , provide targeted assistance and conduct risk-free , well-received coaching conversations .
The central focus of the workshop is to create a climate of high expectations within a district ; however , it also focuses on building strong documentation when high expectations cannot be met after intensive support .
The Skillful Certificated Evaluator will be conducted by Palm Springs USD Assistant Superintendent , Human Resources Mauricio Arellano and Desert Sands USD Assistant Superintendent , Personnel Tony Signoret . It will be held Oct . 4 in Berryessa USD ; Oct . 25 at ACSA Ontario ; Jan . 10 at ACSA Sacramento ; and Jan . 24 at the San Diego COE . To register , please go to www . cvent . com / d / t5qwgw .
Classified evaluation The Skillful Classified Evaluator was
CDE updates computer science education
Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson announced action to improve and update computer science education in California .
The State Board of Education appointed 21 members to the Computer Science Standards Advisory Committee and approved guidelines for the development of new standards .
“ These actions will modernize and upgrade computer science education in California ” Torlakson said .
The guidelines were recommended by the Instructional Quality Commission , based on focus groups , public comment and updates for current state law .
The IQC , an SBE-advisory group , will develop and recommend standards before August 2019 .
The standards must :
• Reflect industry trends .
• Contain concepts that can be learned without the use of a computer .
• Focus on solving problems .
• Emphasize the artistic and creative nature of computer science .
The public can comment on the proposed standards next year .
created due to overwhelming requests from those responsible for evaluating classified employees . The workshop is intended for any classified manager who evaluates classified employees and has the responsibility to build capacity in order to reach optimum performance .
The workshops will assist managers and school districts in preparing training , common language and systems to create sound leaders who can motivate employees , provide meaningful evidenced-based feedback , provide targeted assistance and conduct risk-free coaching conversations .
The central focus of the training is to create a climate of high expectations within a district , while also focusing on building strong documentation . The workshop will be taught by Palm Springs HR duo of Arellano and La Sonya Pitts and will be held in two locations : Oct . 11 at ACSA Ontario ; and Feb . 21 at ACSA Sacramento . Register directly at www . cvent . com / d / g5qgw3 .
Districts statewide have different needs and different preferences for programs . For this reason , specific programs can be brought directly to your school , district or county office . If you are interested in hosting a one-day workshop , contact Rhonda Morgan in ACSA ’ s Educational Services at rmorgan @ acsa . org or ( 800 ) 608-2272 .
do so , we need your voice in Washington .”
In addition to the advocacy event , the 2017 NASS Leadership Conference will feature keynote presentations with antiracism speaker and author Tim Wise , as well as Melissa Crum , diversity practitioner and cultural strategist .
To learn more about the NASS Leadership Conference and advocacy event , go to www . nass . us .
“ It was by far one of the best and most helpful events I ’ ve attended in my career ,” said Charles Park , principal of Palos Verdes High School . “ Thank you for empowering APIs .”
ACSA equity networking events have been held statewide to bring members of diverse backgrounds together who share similar experiences both personally and professionally . Current networks include Latino and Latina superintendents , LGBT leaders , African American leaders and Latino and Latina leaders .
Contact Member Services at memberservices @ acsa . org if you have any questions about equity networking events .