Palo Verde Unified School District Alternative Governance Board Twin Palms Continuation High School – All subjects

MINUTES November 16, 2015 8:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

I. Call to order: Ms. Shaffer called the meeting to order at 8:30 a.m.

II. Introductions and Welcome: Ms. Shaffer welcomed the group to the meeting. Introductions were omitted as all were familiar. Present were: Lois Shaffer Director of Curriculum & Instruction, Interim Director of Special Services, AGB Coordinator Steve Spraker AGB Consultant and Principal Coach Essential Leadership Solutions Kay Smith District ELD Consultant Sonny Hernandez PVUSD Board Member Betty Miller 5th grade teacher, Ruth Brown Elementary PVTA Representative

Absent: Kristin Tennefos Curriculum and Instruction Assistant, AGB Secretary

Also present: Rachel Angel Principal, Twin Palms Continuation High School Dr. Mike Davitt Superintendent, Guest Jeremy James Director of Human Resources, Guest Michael Yancey Principal, Felix J. Appleby Elementary, Guest Janenne McBride Superintendent’s Assistant, Guest

III. Overview of AGB Roles and Reponsibilities / Norms: Ms. Shaffer reviewed the AGB Roles and Responsibilities and Norms with the group and reminded everyone of the team’s task to monitor, not evaluate. A comment was made by an AGB member that TPHS is the first site to have Chromebooks available for every student, although they are not yet in classrooms, but on order.

IV. Review of agenda: Ms. Shaffer reviewed the agenda with the group. She indicated the team would be visiting three (3) classrooms as one (1) teacher is currently out. She added that one (1) other teacher is brand new to campus, only the second week here.

EXHIBIT A V. Approval of minutes from the October 19, 2015, meeting at Felix J. Appleby Elementary Ms. Smith motioned to approve the minutes as presented. The motion was seconded by Mrs. Miller and it carried by unanimous vote.

VI. Review of minutes from the February 17, 2015, meeting at Twin Palms High School: The group reviewed the minutes from the last meeting at Twin Palms High School. It was stated that the California High School Exit Exam (CAHSEE) recommendation is no longer relevant as the CAHSEE is no longer being given in the State of California. An AGB member asked how many graduates TPHS has had as a result of the CAHSEE being waived. Ms. Angel responded that the site had an addition of 5 graduates at quarter and many are waiting for the January 1st date; she added that they will have many more who are grandfathered. The team discussed the sites’ recommendations and commendations from the last visit. Ms. Shaffer commented that Step-up to writing is in “the works”. Teachers are currently receiving training.

VII. Opportunity for discussion with Rachel Angel, Principal, Twin Palms Continuation High School: Ms. Angel presented a Powerpoint to the group and discussed enrollment (16 years and older), reviewed District social economic demographic data, student diversity and socioeconomic data, and school information. She reviewed the school’s instructional schedule and reviewed the school’s API data and SBAC testing. She also discussed the comparison of data between Twin Palms High School and Palo Verde Valley High School 11th grade. She discussed the site’s teaching staff and the adopted curriculum for ELA, Math and Social Science. She indicated that the site is waiting on new curriculum for Math and a training will be held in December for the new curriculum. She discussed Twin Palms’ lesson design of explicit direct instruction and Checking For Understanding, and additional factors that impact instruction (students who are chronic drug users/ young parents).

She explained what the group could expect to see during the classroom visits. She advised that direct instruction will be seen in Math. She advised that the ELA teacher is new to the subject and collaboration is happening on ideas and strategies. She also stated that there is a focus on writing and having students write a solid paragraph. There is direct instruction in Social Science and the teacher is working to get students engaged and motivated in the classroom. She indicated that Positive Behavior Interventions and Support (PBIS) is starting on campus, and discussed the welcome center and the site’s volunteers.

A discussion was held regarding the overall “feel” of the campus. An AGB team member stated it’s important to hold PLC meetings. An AGB team member asked if TPHS is holding support groups as a result of data shared between staff. Ms. Angel responded yes, some are. She added that the school’s counselor is also participating but it is difficult because he is split between two sites. She added that drug/alcohol support groups are held through the probation department. Ms. Angel mentioned the high volume of staff transition over the last month to month-and-a-half, and the chaos due to the turnover is finally settling down.

VIII.Classroom visitations (approximately 60 minutes) a. Observation forms / division of teams Ms. Shaffer divided the group into 3 teams and advised the room assignments. Rooms visited were #3, #11, and #13.

IX. Break The group took a brief break after returning from the classroom visitations.

X. AGB Reflection from Classroom visit a. Team notes: The team discussed their observations from the visits. b. Selection of questions: The team selected the questions to ask the teachers.

XI. Discussion with available teachers (approximately 45 minutes) a. Welcome Ms. Shaffer welcomed the teachers to the meeting. Present were Judy Browder (Math), Genevieve Hann (ELA) and Jeff Blansett (Social Science) b. Introduction of the AGB team members: The group introduced themselves to the teachers. c. Questions

To what extent have you used common assessment results, benchmark assessment results and other data in planning for instruction? How do you monitor the effectiveness of your planning? The teachers responded that they do not have common assessments; they use unit tests. The use warm ups and lessons to determine the plan. The advised they use Checking for Understanding and check student work. They use chapter tests to guide lessons. The state that they interact with students on a daily basis.

How do you ensure that your students understand the lesson vocabulary and can respond appropriately? The teachers responded that if they are reading a story they review vocabulary and do “skill builders” and use the word in a sentence. For writing prompts, they explain they process to the students. In Math vocabulary is reviewed as it relates to the lesson. The teachers advised they use flip charts, write out the meaning of the vocabulary words and give visual examples for Geometry.

Describe your three most utilized Checking for Understanding strategies. How do you use the CFU responses to inform your instruction? The teachers responded that they use random questioning, warm ups, journal prompts, white boards, and games to make the lesson fun. They use reteach also. They also state that they are mobile in the classroom and walk around and gauge hand raising. A teacher commented that students who come to class will pass, but those with low attendance are not passing classes.

How do you ensure your students are engaged in your lessons? The teachers responded that they bring the students back to the lesson. They look to make sure student is looking at the teacher. They state that they know when they aren’t using bad language, their heads are up and they are responding. How do you see your instruction changing when you have one on one technology? The teachers responded that they will have access to more and varied lessons and will be able to utilize websites into their lesson plan. They discussed the impact on different classes and project-based activities. The also stated that they will start back up with the senior projects. They stated that it is a challenge to keep students on the correct pages and not wondering to other websites. They are excited to get Chromebooks, and the opportunity for students to research topics that they are interested in. They advised that they are hoping for an intervention component in the new math curriculum.

XII. Debrief The team discussed the teachers’ responses and a statement was made that there was positive change from last visit. The mission sounds consistent now and great progress has been made from last year’s visit.

XIII. Commendations and Recommendations Commendations: Positive atmosphere Improved direct instruction Students were on task Evidence of CFU in classrooms Vocabulary, Sentence Frames, and current work on walls Rooms are a welcoming environment

Recommendations Continue to refine writing objectives Use of pair-share to enhance learning Use data to measure the mastery of objective Participate in Chromebook trainings

A motion was made by Mr. Hernandez and seconded by Ms. Smith to approve the Recommendations and Commendations as presented. There was no discussion and the motion passed by unanimous vote.

XIV. Public input There was no public input.

XV. Adjournment Ms. Shaffer adjourned the meeting at 10:50 AM