A new report by LFA and Grunwald Associates, with support from AT&T, examines how parents perceive the value of mobile devices, how they see their children using mobiles, and what they think of the possibilities for mobile learning.
Closing the Gap: A Union/District Partnership Spells Success for Low-Income Kids
Story posted October 9, 2008
Result:
• Three years into the program, 6th grade test scores had risen between 39% and 53% at all participating schools
As superintendent of the ABC Unified School District in Southeast Los Angeles, Ron Barnes knew that averages can be deceiving. Home to one of the highest-performing schools in California, his school district's test score averages stood up well against state scores. Yet this small, urban district's overall high performance rate concealed large discrepancies in achievement.
In fact, six of the district's poorest schools struggled to meet reading goals. With a 90 percent minority population, high poverty rates and English Language Learners comprising more than half of their enrollments, these schools faced tough challenges.
To address the large achievement gaps between schools in the district, the ABC Federation of Teachers (ABCFT) partnered with Barnes and members of the school board in 1999 to equip teachers and leaders for success.
Working with elementary, middle and high school teachers, the district created the Southside Schools Reading Collaborative, which transformed the way teachers teach. Through peer coaching, full-day reading conferences and community partnerships, teachers are improving their instructional strategies and materials to help children reach high academic standards.
The district and union have also joined forces to help both novice teachers and veteran teachers who receive unsatisfactory evaluations in a program called the Peer Assistance Support System. Overseen by a council of teachers and administrators, these teachers receive peer mentoring in areas including creating effective teaching environments, planning instruction and assessing learning. After evaluating participating teachers, the council makes employment recommendations.
This labor-management collaboration has truly paid off. Since 2000, the six schools in the Southside Schools Reading Collaborative have posted the greatest growth of student achievement results based on standardized tests. The culture of each of the schools has transformed the community. In 2002, the California School Boards Association recognized the Southside Schools Reading Collaborative with the distinguishing Golden Bell Award as an outstanding district wide program in California. Although there have been changes at the District level, the partnership has been sustained under Superintendent Dr. Gary Smuts and ABCFT President Laura Rico. Furthermore, the Points of Light Foundation and Corporation for National Service granted the union-district partnership the Daily Point of Light Award for its commitment to meeting literacy needs in the community.
These accomplishments confirm that professional development for teachers and staff enhances the educational experience for everyone. Most important, the story of ABC Unified demonstrates that, when teachers, administrators and policymakers work together to solve problems, it's the kids who win out.
Further details about this story can be found in our sources:
AFT's Center for School Improvement, "The ABC Unified School District, California, District Profile."
ABC Unified School District's website
For additional information, please contact:
Dr. Mary Sieu
Deputy Superintendent, ABC Unified School District
mary.sieu@abcusd.k12.ca.us
Photos courtesy of ABC Unified School District
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