California School Dashboard: A New Accountability Model

Next month, California is releasing a new website designed to help communities across the state access important information about K–12 districts and schools. Called the California School Dashboard, the site features easy-to-read reports on multiple measures of school success, including test scores, graduation rates, English learner progress and suspension rates. The Dashboard is part of California's new school accountability system based on 2013's Local Control Funding Formula. It is the next step in a series of major shifts in public education that have raised the bar for student learning, transformed testing and placed the focus on equity for all students.

To learn more about California's accountability and continuous improvement efforts, visit the CDE Dashboard Web page.

Why a new system and a new tool?

The Dashboard is a key part of California's commitment to transparency and continuous improvement. California's future success depends on tapping into the potential of all students, so they graduate ready for college, careers and life. For schools to reach this goal, teachers, parents, and the community need clear and useful measures of progress. As an accountability tool, the Dashboard will help the state identify schools and districts needing targeted assistance.

What’s different?

In the past, accountability systems for districts and schools relied solely on test scores. But one test taken on one particular day doesn't provide a complete picture of all the ways schools are helping students succeed.

Think of it this way: You can’t drive a car by only watching the speedometer. You also keep your eye on the road, check the mirrors, monitor the gas tank and pay attention if the engine light comes on. Similarly, the Dashboard provides information on different aspects of student performance, which will give a more complete picture of a school’s progress. The Dashboard also reports on growth to show a school’s trajectory over time.

Performance will be based on status, how each school or district scored last year, and change—how much they have improved or declined in the last three years. Schools will be rated based on a combination of these factors and assigned one of five performance levels. From highest to lowest, the levels are: Blue, Green, Yellow, Orange and Red.

Because the performance level is based on both scores and growth, the level is calculated using a reference chart (below). For example, if a school has high scores on the English Language Arts assessment, and those scores are an increase in scores from the previous year, the school will receive a Green performance level indicator. 

What’s next?

The Dashboard is deliberately designed to be a work in progress: Metrics and reports will be added over time. During the field testing phase, the state will be gathering feedback to make additional modifications.

The exciting changes taking place in education will take time to fully implement. While schools are making progress in many key areas, there is always more work to do. The Dashboard is part of an ongoing conversation with our community on both how we're doing and how we can improve. 

We look forward to sharing our Dashboard with the community when it is released. 

Lakeside Middle School Show Choir "Aptitude" Wins Big at the Roz Morris So Cal Show Choir Invitational

Guest Blog Post by Kim Messina, LMS Teacher

On Friday, February 10, 2017, the Lakeside Middle School Show Choir "Aptitude" under the direction of Kim Messina competed in the Roz Morris So Cal Show Choir Invitational up at the Disneyland Resort. This group received numerous awards, trophies and cash prizes.

Aptitude received 1st place trophy in the Mixed Middle School division, 1st place out of all Middle School show choirs, a trophy for Best Overall Musicianship, a trophy for Best Overall Showmanship, a trophy for Best Spirit, and ranked 3rd place overall out of all high school AND middle school show choirs.

Students Cassidy Drabble and Tyler Chiuchiarelli both received Best Female and Male soloist awards with a cash prize of $750 each. Lakeside Middle received a cash prize of $750 for Best Spirit. In total, Lakeside's Aptitude took home multiple trophies and $2250 in cash prizes.

We are very proud of all of these students and their accomplishments. This year, their set incorporates the US History curriculum by taking audiences on a tour through the historical wars of the past, from the Revolutionary War all the way to the War in Afghanistan, students make connections between the arts and curriculum learned in their classes while taking top honors in their performances. Aptitude has 4 more competitions taking place over the next 5 weeks within San Diego and Los Angeles counties.

A Look at Lakeside's Past

Students in Beth Sandford’s classroom at Lemon Crest got a first hand look at Lakeside’s past by Skyping with Edna Kouns, a 102 year old Lakeside resident. Students wrote down questions in advance, then took turns asking them as they spoke to Edna through a computer screen which was projected onto the Smartboard. Edna, who was located at the Lakeside Historical Society, could see the students in Mrs. Sandford’s class through a laptop using Skype.

Edna loved the opportunity to share her experiences of growing up in Lakeside with the 3^rd grade students. “Miss Edna” was delighted with the student reactions when they learned that she never had a telephone while growing up, and that she used to ride a horse or in a buggy when she wanted to go places. One of the students asked Miss Edna what technology she used when she was younger. When they learned that she didn't use any they were amazed! The students could hardly even imagine such a world!

Hearing about how Edna’s family was affected by the flood,  Marlea said, “I couldn’t believe her whole house floated away in the flood!”

Another student, Matthew said,”I really enjoyed hearing that she would go to the Lakeside Inn, and that she had picnics with the orphans (at El Monte Park) and that they ate a lot of watermelon!”

Liam remarked, “I learned that she got to watch the cars when they raced around Lindo Lake.”

I know that the purpose for the Skype was to put students in touch with Lakeside's history, but in my opinion it was equally important for Edna. She knew she was valued, and that people really cared about what she had to say. She was thrilled to be able to talk to the students, and equally amazed at the technology that allowed her to connect through Skype. Edna is a former teacher in Lakeside. It was very apparent how much cared for her students as she shared stories from her days in the classroom At one point she taught the 3^rd grade students what her mother had taught her, "If you don't have anything nice to say, then don't say anything at all!"

Edna Kouns can be found every Wednesday morning at the Lakeside Historical Society around 10:00. So if you would like to hear a story or two about Lakeside’s past, drop on by. You will not be disappointed! 

Posted by LUSD Digital Learning Coach, Kay Little

TdS Science Night

Over 100 students and parents participated in the various activities sponsored by the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center during TdS' Science Night. This event allowed our students to not just learn about science, but to apply concepts in a highly engaging and student-centered forum. The vision and mission at TDS is provide all students opportunities and exposure to high demand 21st century careers in STEAM.

Shout out to Mr. Lappin, Mrs. Dexheimer, and Mrs. Koch for facilitating the mobile lab. To learn more about this event, check out the newsletter Mrs. Rinck created. (newsletter link)