Evaluating Turnaround Strategies to Increase Student

EVALUATING TURNAROUND STRATEGIES TO INCREASE STUDENT ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE IN ASBURY PARK, NEW JERSEY SCHOOL DISTRICT by Jessica Sydney Morris A thesis submitted to the Faculty of the University of Delaware in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in Urban Affairs and Public Policy Winter 2018 © 2018 Jessica Morris All Rights Reserved EVALUATING TURNAROUND STRATEGIES TO INCREASE STUDENT ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE IN ASBURY PARK, NEW JERSEY SCHOOL DISTRICT by Jessica Sydney Morris Approved: Daniel Rich, Ph.D. Professor in Charge of Thesis on Behalf of the Advisory Committee Approved: Maria P. Aristigueta, D.P.A. Director, School of Public Policy and Administration Approved: George H. Watson, Ph.D. Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences Approved: Ann Ardis, Ph.D. Senior Vice Provost for Graduate and Professional Education TABLE OF CONTENTS LIST OF TABLES ........................................................................................................... viii LIST OF FIGURES ........................................................................................................... ix GLOSSARY ........................................................................................................................x PREFACE ........................................................................................................................ xiv ABSTRACT .................................................................................................................... xvii Chapter 1 INTRODUCTION ...................................................................................................1 2 THE CHALLENGE OF PUBLIC EDUCATION IN ASBURY PARK, NEW JERSEY…………………………………………………………………………...5 Introduction ..............................................................................................................5 The City of Asbury Park ..........................................................................................5 Perception ................................................................................................................6 2010 Census Statistics..............................................................................................9 Asbury Park Public Schools: Standardized Test Scores ........................................10 Bradley Elementary School ..............................................................................11 Thurgood G. Marshall Elementary School ........................................................11 Asbury Park Intermediate School ......................................................................12 Asbury Park High School ..................................................................................12 Hope Academy Charter School .........................................................................13 Summary of Current Public School Performance Standards ............................13 Asbury Park Statewide Rank Position Percentiles.................................................14 Description of Rank History ..............................................................................15 Asbury Park 2012-2013 Performance Reports ......................................................15 Asbury Park High School ..................................................................................15 Asbury Park Middle School ..............................................................................17 Conclusion .............................................................................................................18 iii 3 IMPROVING PUBLIC EDUCATION PERFORMANCE IN ASBURY PARK: FEDERAL, STATE, AND DISTRICT STRATEGIES ........................................20 Introduction ............................................................................................................19 Section I: Federal Policies .....................................................................................19 A Nation At Risk ...............................................................................................20 No Child Left Behind ........................................................................................21 Race To The Top ...............................................................................................26 Common Core State Standards ..........................................................................26 At-risk Students and School Readiness .............................................................20 Brief History ................................................................................................28 School Readiness .........................................................................................29 Early Implications of at-risk students ..........................................................29 The Case for Early Intervention ..................................................................32 Section II: State of New Jersey Reform Strategies ................................................34 Makeup of New Jersey’s Public Education System .........................................33 Components of New Jersey Education Policies ...............................................34 Overview of New Jersey Policies in Accordance with Federal Legislation………………………………………………………………...34 School Choice and Other Alternatives .............................................……..35 New Jersey Teacher Evaluation Measures .................................................36 New Jersey Statewide Testing .....................................................................37 Current Landscape ............................................................................................39 Political Landscape ......................................................................................39 State Impact on Local Landscape ................................................................42 NJ Abbott Districts/ SDA Districts .............................................................42 Parent Engagement ......................................................................................44 Regional Achievement Centers ...................................................................45 Section III: District Strategies ................................................................................46 2009-2010 Asbury Park School District Audit Report ....................................45 Cost Per Pupil ............................................................................................46 iv Early Childhood Program ...........................................................................47 Supplemental Education Services ..............................................................47 Employee Contracts ...................................................................................48 2010 Asbury Park Bylaws ................................................................................48 Administrative Turmoil in Asbury Park School District ..................................49 2009 Asbury Park Action Plan ..........................................................................51 Conclusion .............................................................................................................54 4 IDENTIFYING SUCCESSFUL STRATEGIES FOR DISTRICT TURNAROUND....................................................................................................55 Introduction ............................................................................................................55 Section I: Turnaround Theory and Criteria of Evaluation .....................................55 Defining Turnaround .......................................................................................55 A District’s Role in Turnarounds ................................................................56 Section II: Criteria for Turnaround of Asbury Park School District .....................58 Effectiveness .....................................................................................................59 Political Feasibility ...........................................................................................59 Efficiency .........................................................................................................59 Equity ...............................................................................................................60 Cost ...................................................................................................................60 Parent Engagement ...........................................................................................60 Section III: Identified Turnaround Strategies ........................................................61 CDE Approaches and Recommendations .........................................................61 State Turnaround Schools ..........................................................................64 Strategy 1: State Recovery District ...................................................................64 Louisiana Recovery School District ............................................................64 Tennessee Achievement School District .....................................................66 Michigan State School Reform District ......................................................67 Results from Implementation of Strategy 1 ................................................68 v Strategy 2: Contracted Turnaround Academies ................................................69 Strategy 3: Fostering Community Engagement

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