Salem Turnaround Community Forum 12.2.2011

1. Salem Turnaround Community Forum 12.2.2011

3. What this is all about "This is about changing business as usual. We are working harder now to place our lowest performing schools on a path to success, so all students will get the education and the opportunities they deserve.“ - Governor Deval Patrick

4. What is Level 4? • Level 4 Schools are the state’s lowest performing schools based on four-year trends in achievement and MCAS performance. • Districts with Level 4 schools are Level 4 districts • There are currently 40 Level 4 schools in 10 districts statewide. • 22 Elementary schools (including Bentley) • 9 middle schools • 3 K-8 schools • 6 high schools • If, after three years, L4 schools do not improve, the state intervenes

5. Expectations for Level 4 Schools/Districts • Turning around persistently low-achieving schools requires a new way of doing the work that is TRANSFORMATIVE for the students and teachers in the school • The 2010 state law provides new flexibility to change the conditions that have stymied previous attempts at whole school reform • The state holds districts accountable for turning their Level 4 Schools around • Funding for Level 4 Schools is NOT an entitlement or automatic • Measurable annual goals must be clear and rigorous • Districts are not required to accept DESE assistance, but they are required to meet their annual goals

6. The 11 Essential Conditions for School Effectiveness • Effective district systems for school support and intervention • Effective school leadership • Aligned curriculum • Effective instruction • Balanced system of formative and benchmark assessments • Enhanced staffing authority for the Principal • Professional development and structures for collaboration • Tiered instruction and adequate learning time • Safe school environment and a system to address students’ social, emotional and health needs • Family-school engagement • Strategic use of resources and adequate budget authority

7. Bentley: Four models for change Turnaround model Replace the principal and rehire no more than 50% of the staff, and grant the principal sufficient operational flexibility to fully implement a comprehensive approach to substantially improve student outcomes. Restart model Convert a school or close and reopen it under a charter school operator, a charter management organization, or an education management organization. A restarted school must enroll any former student who wishes to attend the school. Transformation model Replace the principal and take steps to increase teacher and school leader effectiveness; institute comprehensive instructional reforms; increase learning time and create community-oriented schools; and provide operational flexibility and sustained support. School closure Close a school and enroll the students who attended that school in other schools in the district that are higher achieving.

8. Timelines and Requirements

9. Core beliefs to guide our work • We need to approach this as a school district and as a community. • We need to build the “Salem Model” • The only plan now is to develop a plan • Our work will be informed by our data, strategic plan and other reports (L3, NEASC, etc.) • We will consult with other districts • Select what’s right for Salem • We need to believe that every child in Salem can achieve at high levels, and establish the conditions to make that possible.

10. Organizational Structure

11. Salem Turnaround: How you can help

12. Salem Turnaround: Bentley L4 Planning • Select appropriate turnaround model • Engage community • Implementation planning • Make staffing recommendations • Identify collective bargaining issues • Communicate with community

13. Salem Turnaround: Proactive Communications • OpEds • Presentations at community meetings • Information and outreach • Newsletter • Website • Social media • Traditional media • Listening Tour at every school in Dec/Jan

14. Salem Turnaround: Community Engagement • Teachers and Staff • Survey • Solicit input • Proactively engage • Business Partners • After school partnership • Resources • In-kind contributions • Internships, externships, apprenticeships • Parents • Conduct a needs assessment • Proactively reach out to Latino parents • Survey • Newsletter • Parents page

15. Salem Turnaround: L3 Schools • Conduct district-wide stakeholder outreach • Identify each school’s strengths and weaknesses • Carefully review and use data to plan changes to improve outcomes • Regular meetings with district leadership

16. Salem Turnaround: School Committee • Policy decisions • School assignment policies • Parent Information Center • Reallocation of resources • Collective bargaining

17. Salem Turnaround: Wrap-Around Services • Early Childhood Center • After school programming • Social, emotional and safety needs of students • Tutoring • Mentoring • Partnerships with Boys’ and Girls’ Clubs, Catholic Charities, YMCA, etc.

18. Salem Turnaround: District-wide Change • Overall culture • Priorities and goals • Curriculum review • STEM education • Capacity analysis • Collective bargaining impact

19. Salem Turnaround: Other ideas?

20. The work ahead: Bentley

21. The work ahead: Salem

22. Core beliefs to guide our work • We need to approach this as a school district and as a community. • We need to build the “Salem Model” • The only plan now is to develop a plan • Our work will be informed by our data, strategic plan and other reports (L3, NEASC, etc.) • We will consult with other districts • Select what’s right for Salem • We need to believe that every child in Salem can achieve at high levels, and establish the conditions to make that possible.

23. How you can help • Stay informed: • www.salemk12.org • www.salem.com • Get involved: • Sign up for a Turnaround Partner committee • Respond to surveys • Become a school volunteer • Encourage others to get involved • Tell us what you think: • superintendent@salemk12.org • mayor@salem.com