AVID-ly finding his place
A greater impact on students
A student with heart
Education California | The official newspaper of the Association of California School Administrators Volume 49 | Number 8 | October 8 , 2018
CAASPP results show mild gains
The California Department of Education has announced the 2018 scores for the online California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress tests in English Language Arts and mathematics . Scores increased slightly from the scores students achieved in 2017 .
Statewide , in all tested grades , almost 50 percent of students met or exceeded the English Language Arts / Literacy standards , a slight increase from 2017 and nearly a 6 percentage point increase from 2015 .
In mathematics , 38.6 percent of students met or exceeded standards , a 1 percentage point increase from 2017 and a 5.6 percentage point increase from 2015 .
This is the fourth year of the computerbased tests , which use California ’ s challenging academic standards and ask students to write clearly , think critically , and solve complex problems , as they will need to do in college and 21st century careers .
Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson expressed cautious optimism with continued progress made by students , emphasizing much work still needs to be done .
“ We ’ re encouraged by what we see , especially since these tests are more rigorous than previous paper and pencil tests . However , we need to make sure all students continue to make progress ,” he said . “ We must continue our work to narrow achievement gaps as we raise the bar for our students , and better prepare for them for 21st
See
CAASPP , page 5
Negotiator award . The ACSA Human Resources Council is seeking nominations for the 2019 Negotiator of the Year . The award will be announced at the 2019 Negotiators ' Symposium in San Diego , Jan . 23-25 . Award details and criteria are available at www . acsa . org / awards . Deadline for nominations is Nov . 15 .
The bottom line for ACSA ' s 2018 Business Services Administrator of the Year Sheldon K . Smith is doing his part to help educators provide a quality education for students .
After a rough start in life , Luis Diaz has found support and growing self-confidence at school in the AVID program .
AVID-ly finding his place
The fact that Luis Diaz is alive right now , let alone a high school graduate , is nothing short of miraculous .
“ He has an indomitable spirit ,” Ramona High teacher Ann Sullivan said . “ He doesn ’ t let life get him down at all . It ’ s amazing . And if you could bottle it and sell it , you ’ d be a millionaire .”
If you ask Luis about his childhood , he ’ s hesitant to go into much detail . He was born in Mexico but moved to the United States when he was five years old . He suffered neglect and physi-
Periodicals Dated Material
See LUIS , page 4
A greater impact on students
Sheldon K . Smith said he became a school administrator because he wanted to lead those who lead students , and be able to have a greater impact on students and the community who entrust us with the care and education of their kids . As a former English teacher , junior high assistant principal , county technology / IT coordinator , and district IT director , the next step for Smith was to become
ACSA ’ s Every Student Succeeding Awards program includes our 19-part video series . Watch the videos on these remarkable recipients at Facebook , YouTube and www . acsa . org . a chief business official , because of the required skills for translating complex concepts into simple English that the district , board and community understands .
“ One of my chief responsibilities as a county chief business official is to help ensure the solvency of all the districts in San Luis Obispo County following the process delineated in AB 1200 and AB 2756 ,” Smith said . “ I ’ m motivated by working with district superintendents , district CBOs , and school boards to help them navigate the invisible ( but ever present ) forces that tie up our limited dollars .”
See SMITH , page 7
Beatriz Vasquez would not allow a heart defect and subsequent transplant to deter her education .
A student with heart
Beatriz Vasquez estimates she ’ s spent more time at the hospital than at her school .
“ It was hard ,” Beatriz said . “ I missed out on a whole lot . There are some times I email the teachers to send me work at the hospital . Or when I come back , I just get this whole bunch of work and try to catch up .”
But through it all , Beatriz has always made time for her education .
See BEATRIZ , page 4
More than two dozen ACSA members led a contingent of nationwide educators to Washington , D . C . last month for the third annual ACSA-National Association of School Superintendents ’ Federal Advocacy Day .
“ The face of public education in the United States is changing every day and California is always the leader in student advocacy and forward-thinking practices ,” said John Roach , NASS executive director . “ This year we opened the conference up to educators at all levels so we could take the real world classroom experience to Capitol
CTC scorers . The California Commission on Teacher Credentials is seeking current California teachers , administrators , and faculty who help prepare beginning teachers and / or administrators to participate in operational scoring of the CalTPA and CalAPA . Operational training and scoring will begin this fall . Training and calibration will involve a combination of at-home preparation and in-person training sessions offered in Northern and Southern California . Scoring will be completed online through a secure portal . For more information about assessor qualifications and to apply , visit www . ctcpa . nesinc . com .
ECE webinars . ACSA , in partnership with the California County Superintendents Educational Services Association , is offering a two-part , free webinar on expanding access for early childhood education . The first part is Oct . 22 , 9:00-10:00 a . m ., and deals with funding opportunities and policy changes . The second part will be Nov . 14 , 9:00-10:00 a . m . and share best practices from the field for expanding ECE . Register for Part 1 at http :// bit . ly / ECEpart1 . Register for Part 2 at http :// bit . ly / ECEpart2 .
ECC registration . The Every Child Counts Symposium is a world-class learning event offered each year , featuring exciting workshops , informative keynotes and opportunities for skill development and networking . The symposium is designed for both beginning and veteran educational leaders and focuses on the latest in the field of student services and special education . The conference will take place Feb . 13-15 in Anaheim . Registration is available now at www . acsa . org / ecc .
ACSA members join with NASS for DC lobbying on K-12 education issues
Hill .”
The two-day event kicked off with a presentation from former West Virginia Gov . Bob Wise , who now represents the Alliance for Excellent Education . Conference participants also were briefed on the federal Every Student Succeeds Act and sat in on two panel discussions , including a presentation on mid-term elections and the impact on Congress and education from Washington , D . C . insiders .
On Tuesday educators spent the day on Capitol Hill meeting with federal lawmak-
See ACSA-NASS , page 3