At Pioneer Drive School, we have embraced the idea that to best serve our students, we must develop a data driven culture. Over the past three years, we have implemented practices and programs that would best serve our student's needs based on current and ongoing data. The programs we found that highly impact our students and the data that supports our program are included in this report.
Test data analysis (2003-2007)
- Analyzing longitudinal and individual teacher test data;
- On-going assessments posted by the principal and monitored by the principal, program specialist, office teacher, coaches and tutors;
- Grade level teams focusing on data to drive instruction and planning;
- Plans and goals developed every six weeks by each grade level with the academic support team;
- Grade levels have analyzed and reviewed the CST (California Standards Test) Blueprints and sample test questions provided by the state to align language arts and math curriculum to assure complete coverage of tested standards.
Academic Support Team (2003-2007)
- Reading First Coach. Provides ongoing instructional support K-3, professional development, assistance with grade level planning, implementation of Reading First program, demonstration lessons and observations.
- Site-based Academic Coach. Provides ongoing instructional support 4-6, professional development, assistance with grade level planning, district adopted ELD (English language development) program implementation, demonstration lessons and observations.
- Office teacher assists with grade level meetings and data analysis as well as classroom observations, holds Student Intervention Team Meetings to assist teachers and parents in meeting the child's needs.
- Program Specialist assists with classroom walk throughs, and developing the school site plan and coordinates CELDT (California English Language Development Test) and CST.
Teacher Tutors (2003-2007)
- Six teacher tutors were employed to work with targeted students in grades. The tutors planned for instruction utilizing current data. Tutors help provide direct instruction in combination classrooms. Second and third grade teacher tutors use the Voyager Intervention program while 4-6 use the High Point intervention program along with teaching test taking strategies. They also attend academic conferences and professional development when available.
Boot Camp
- 2004-2005: The sixth grade teacher tutor and the Academic coach worked in tandem to provide intensive skill review based on the language arts CST blueprints. They met with the students daily for five weeks prior to the state test. Students who were on the border of the basic/proficient category were targeted. The mid-year summative data was utilized for the selection process.
- 2005-2006: The fifth grade teacher tutors worked with select students to provide intensive skill review based on the language arts CST blueprints. Students were chosen based on scores from the winter BCST.
Other High Octane Activities
- Academic conferences. Substitutes released K-6 teacher teams to hold collaborative meetings focused on current data, best practices and the social/emotional needs of our students. Long range and short term goals were developed and implemented. The goal was to hold Academic conferences 3 times a years for each grade level if there was adequate sub coverage. (2003-2007)
- After School tutoring. Focus areas included: fluency, comprehension skills and strategies, math skills and writing. (2003-2007)
- Migrant tutoring. Focused on reading, math and writing skills. (2003-2007)
- After School Program. Focused on developing leadership, speaking and social skills as well as homework assistance. (2004-2007)
- Leadership team. The team focused on bringing academic cohesiveness, collaboration and achievement school wide. (2003-2007)
- Classroom Walk throughs. Focused on monitoring student engagement along with fidelity to the program, and standards based instruction. Feedback and demonstration lessons were provided as follow-up to visitations. (2003-2007)
- Standards Plus. Utilized to reinforce instructional strategies and the spiral review of standards-based instruction. (2004-2007)
- ELD Program. Students in grades k-5 are grouped according to their language level and given differentiated instruction using the Moving Into English program. Sixth grade students are also grouped and use the English Now program.
- ELL Newcomer Intervention Class. Provided intermediate grade students with opportunities to learn about English structure and acquire and practice using new vocabulary. Led by the sixth grade teacher tutor. (2003-2005)
Professional Development
- 2004-2006. Topics included: Vocabulary Development, Fluency, Read Naturally, and The Writing Project. Professional book studies included Classroom Instruction That Works, Interactive Writing, and Words, Words, Words. Professional development was led by principal and academic coaches.
- 2006-2007. Topics included the 9 essential program components, data analysis, fluency, universal access, sound spelling cards, syllabication and Craft Plus writing videos.
- Classroom Instructional Assistants. Trained by the RF coach to provide reteaching lessons, fluency practice, phonemic awareness lessons to support the Houghton Muffin Program. (2003-2007)
- AB466 in Reading and Math. Training made available to all teachers. Two Pioneer teachers along with are district/state trainers for the Math AB466 training. (2003-2007)
- Teachscape (formerly Learning 24/7) Writing Project. Involved three representatives from Pioneer in the development and implementation of the district's writing initiative. Four Pioneer teachers were presenters at the district's professional development day in August. (2003-2006)
- Class Size Reduction Teacher. Intermediate grade class sizes reduced and maintained at 25-28 students per classroom. (2004-2006 sixth grade) (2006-2007 fifth grade)
Noninstructional Support
- Attendance Incentive Program. Outreach Specialist charted attendance daily and distributed incentives. (2003-2005) Office teacher started monthly prizes at awards assemblies and started attendance contest weeks. (2005-2006) Office Teacher started Wow Perfect Attendance incentive program for classroom attendance along with monthly prizes given at the awards assembly for individual attendance. (2006-2007)
- Alternative testing settings. (2003-2007)
- Outreach Specialist. Focusing on attendance, community relationships, SIT process for the entire school, student interventions, parent involvement, and retention process. (2003-2005)
- School Counselor. Focused on helping children with social and emotional needs to be successful in the classroom. Counselor was integral part of SIT process arid community relationships. (2003-2005)
- Ongoing Parent Education. Pioneer Parent Nights. Monthly parent education sessions with Pioneer teachers to provide assistance and support to parents on how to help their children at home. (2004-2007)
- HOT Tickets. A homework incentive program designed to support students with getting their homework turned in on time. HOT = Homework On Time. (2004-2007)
- Caught Being Good. A student recognition program designed to "catch" students being good. Students were allowed to have lunch with the principal. (2004-2007)
