WASC Self-Study Report

John H. Francis Polytechnic High School WASC Self-Study Report 12431 Roscoe Blvd. Sun Valley, CA 91352 Phone: (818) 394 – 3600 Fax: (818) 771 – 0452 Los Angeles Unified School District Intensive Support and Innovation Center Accreditation Visit: March 23 – 26, 2014 John H. Francis Polytechnic High School Accreditation Self Study ~ Focus on Learning Table of Contents Preface i Chapter 1: Student/Community Profile – Data and Findings 1 General Background and History 1 School Program Information 9 Demographic Data 15 Student Performance Data 42 Expected Schoolwide Learning Results 72 Process and Perception Data 75 . Chapter 2: Progress Report 79 Chapter 3: Overall Summary from Analysis of Profile and Progress Data 109 Chapter 4: Self-Study Findings 113 Category A: Organization and Purpose 113 Category B: Curriculum 157 Category C: Instruction 185 Category D: Assessment and Accountability 205 Category E: School Culture 227 Chapter 5: Schoolwide Action Plan 255 Goal #1 257 Goal #2 260 Goal #3 264 i LOS ANGELES UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT 333 S. Beaudry Avenue Los Angeles, CA 90017 (213) 241-1000 John Deasy General Superintendent LOS ANGELES BOARD OF EDUCATION Currently vacant Bennett Kayser Board District 1 Board District 5 Monica Garcia Monica Ratliff Board District 2 Board District 6 Tamar Galatzan Richard Vladovic Board District 3 Board District 7 Steve Zimmer Board District 4 INTENSIVE SUPPORT AND INNOVATION CENTER (ISIC) Leadership Team and Poly Support Staff: Tommy Chang, Ed.D. Elena Paul Instructional Superintendent Instructional Director Daryl Narimatsu Rhonda Sparks Administrator of Operations Operations Coordinator Kevin Baker Todd Takashima Parent, Community, and Engagement Fiscal Specialist Administrator Maura Crossin HR Specialist ii The Visiting Committee Representing the Western Association of Schools and Colleges and the California State Department of Education Chair Member Ms. Alicia Foulk Mr. Aaron Braskin Associate Principal Teacher Palos Verdes Peninsula High School Mira Costa High School Member Member Miss Dena Duong Mrs. Lynn Edwards Instructional Lead Science Teacher Lynwood District Bakersfield High School Member Member Dr. Carmen Garcia Mrs. Adriana Lepe Principal Assistant Principal San Diego International Studies Perris High School Member Member Mr. Rick Ronquillo Mrs. Annie Van Dyke Assistant Principal Social Science Teacher Charter Oak High School Monrovia High School i Accreditation Leadership Team Ari Bennett, Principal Focus Group Leaders Organization: Vision and Purpose, Governance, Leadership and Staff, and Resources Norma Grimaldo-Ramirez ~ Instructional Specialist Jayne Couchois ~ Magnet Coordinator Devon Richter ~ Accreditation Coordinator/Mathematics Teacher Standards-based Student Learning: Curriculum Lourdes DeSantiago ~ Instructional Specialist Julie Chun ~ Freshman Center Coordinator Erin Sopapunta ~ English Teacher Standards-based Student Learning: Instruction Margie Hidalgo ~ English Learner Coordinator/Coach Artin Arhanian ~ Instructional Specialist Yesenia Pleitez ~ Title I Coordinator Dennis Madrigal ~ English Teacher Monica Casillas ~ Mathematics Teacher/Math Department Co-Chair/Algebra 2 Course Lead Assessment and Accountability Kirk Jeppson ~ Administrative Designee Levon Yeganyan ~ Intervention Coordinator Brian Block ~ Apex Learning Teacher/Academic Decathlon Coach/Tennis Coach School Culture and Support for Student Personal and Academic Growth Jamille Kenion ~ Assistant Principal, Secondary Counseling Services Royce Stuckey ~ SAS Coordinator/10th Grade Center Coordinator/Testing Coordinator Avilene Espinoza ~ ELD Teacher/ ELD Department Chair Department Home Group Leaders Jeff Herrold ~ English Department Chair Cesar Felix ~ Math Department Chair Elva Madrigal ~ Social Studies Department Chair Bryce Pemble ~ Science Department Chair Avilene Espinoza ~ ELD Department Chair Wood Grigsby ~ Special Education Department Chair Mario Quinteros ~ Foreign Language Department Chair Toby Bachenheimer and Charles Schwal ~ Physical Education Department Chairs Chi-Sun Chang ~ Career Technical Education Department Chair ii Polytechnic High School Expected Schoolwide Learning Results (ESLRs) All Poly students are expected to be: 1. Critical Thinkers who: a. Construct viable arguments and critique the reasoning of others. (adapted from Math Practice Standards) b. Use knowledge and experience to identify patterns and make connections to new situations. (adapted from SpringBoard Math Strategies) c. Draw upon curiosity, ideas, and imagination to use complex approaches to explore complex issues. (adapted from AP Capstone learning objectives) 2. Conscientious Members of Society who: a. Follow Poly’s 4 For Life to Be Respectful, Be Responsible, Be Safe, and Be on Time. b. Demonstrate knowledge of social, political, and economic issues at the local, national and global level. c. Engage in community service, clubs, or activities that enrich the school or community. d. Collaborate with diverse partners to determine solutions to complex problems. (modified from CCSS.Literacy.CCRA.SL.1) 3. Effective Communicators who: a. Identify and adapt appropriate speech and writing for a variety of contexts and tasks demonstrating a command of formal English. (modified from CCSS.Literacy.SL.11-12.6) b. Generate arguments to support claims from complex texts using valid reasoning and relevant and sufficient evidence. (modified from CCSS. Literacy.CCRA.W.1) c. Make strategic use of digital media and visual displays of data to express information and enhance audience understanding. (modified from CCSS.Literacy.CCRA.SL.5) 4. Lifelong Learners who: a. Persevere in problem solving. b. Are able to change perspectives, generate alternatives, and consider options. (modified from Habits of Mind.org) c. Set high standards and engage in continuous improvement. (modified from Habit of Mind.org) d. Access and apply knowledge. (modified from Habits of Mind.org) (This document was inspired by teacher input, CCSS, 21st Century Skills, SpringBoard/College Board, Habits of Mind, Poly’s Four for Life, and Math Practice Standards.) iii iv John H. Francis Polytechnic High School ~ Focus on Learning Chapter 1 ~ Student/Community Profile – Data and Findings GENERAL BACKGROUND AND HISTORY Community John H. Francis Polytechnic High School (fondly called Poly High School or just Poly) had its beginning in 1897 as a commercial/vocational education branch of the only high school in our city, Los Angeles High School, located on the original site of the Board of Education - 450 North Grand Street in downtown Los Angeles. In 1905, Polytechnic was moved to the corner of Washington Blvd. and Flower St., what is now Trade Tech Community College in downtown Los Angeles. Polytechnic is the second oldest high school in the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD). To commemorate our distinguished founder and first principal, John H. Francis was added to the school's name in 1935. The bust of John H. Francis (which is presently in our school's auditorium lobby) was first unveiled at the original Poly High School in 1931. In 1955 it was decided to move Polytechnic to a new site where it could best serve the needs of our changing city. In February of 1957 Poly moved to its present site in the San Fernando Valley and opened its doors to new students. Last year, in the spring of 2013, the acreage of Poly expanded by moving the Freshman Center across the street to buildings that were constructed as part of a district initiative to alleviate overcrowding. Our original campus was built at a cost of over six million dollars and covers over forty-three acres. Polytechnic is a comprehensive high school, offering courses in all academic fields and several vocational areas. The teachers, administration and staff focus on ensuring that students are college and career ready. We are proud to be Poly Parrots, as are thousands who have benefited from Poly’s educational opportunities in the past. John H. Francis Polytechnic High School is known as the school with a heart. The Poly student leadership council has the distinction of having fundraised over $250,000 for the Toy Drive held by the LA Fire Department, and in 2012 – 2013 raised over $18,000. Poly leadership council also organizes multiple blood drives throughout the year to save lives through the UCLA Blood and Platelet Center. In January 2011, ULCA recognized Poly for being the top blood donor since 2003. Many other charitable activities are also organized by the leadership council and other Poly clubs. Over the past eight years, three schools have opened nearby (Arleta High School, East Valley High School, and Sun Valley High School) leading to a decrease in enrollment. In the 2010 – 2011 school year, John H. Francis Polytechnic High School converted from a year-round school functioning on three different tracks to a single-track school and is currently following the Los Angeles Unified School District’s Early Start Calendar. In the 2004 – 2005 school year, stakeholders voted to reform Polytechnic High School to a 4x4 schedule. The school year was divided into four quarters of about nine weeks each. During the course of each quarter, a student takes four classes (with each class period lasting ninety Chapter 1: Student/Community Profile and Supporting Data and Findings 1 John H. Francis Polytechnic High School ~ Focus on Learning minutes) and earns credit for a full semester’s work in each class. Students who complete an entire year in the 4x4 system may complete 16 classes, instead of the 12 classes usually

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