ACIP Gadsden City High School Gadsden City Board of Education Mr. Keith Blackwell, Principal 1917 Black Creek Pkwy Gadsden, AL 35904-4584 Document Generated On October 29, 2014 TABLE OF CONTENTS Executive Summary Introduction 2 Description of the School 3 School's Purpose 4 Notable Achievements and Areas of Improvement 6 Additional Information 7 Improvement Plan Stakeholder Involvement Introduction 10 Improvement Planning Process 11 Student Performance Diagnostic Introduction 13 Student Performance Data 14 Evaluative Criteria and Rubrics 15 Areas of Notable Achievement 16 Areas in Need of Improvement 18 Report Summary 20 ACIP Assurances Introduction 22 ACIP Assurances 23 Plan for ACIP Overview 25 Goals Summary 26 Goal 1: All students graduating from Gadsden City High School will be college and career ready. 27 Activity Summary by Funding Source 30 Coordination of Resources-Comprehensive Budget Introduction 33 I. State Foundation Funds: FTEs Earned 34 I. State Foundation Funds: Units Placed 35 I. State Foundation Funds:Total Salaries 36 II. Federal Funds 38 III. Local Funds (if applicable) 41 ACIP Gadsden City High School Executive Summary SY 2014-2015 Page 1 © 2014 Advance Education, Inc. All rights reserved unless otherwise granted by written agreement. ACIP Gadsden City High School Introduction Every school has its own story to tell. The context in which teaching and learning takes place influences the processes and procedures by which the school makes decisions around curriculum, instruction, and assessment. The context also impacts the way a school stays faithful to its vision. Many factors contribute to the overall narrative such as an identification of stakeholders, a description of stakeholder engagement, the trends and issues affecting the school, and the kinds of programs and services that a school implements to support student learning. The purpose of the Executive Summary (ES) is to provide a school with an opportunity to describe in narrative form the strengths and challenges it encounters. By doing so, the public and members of the school community will have a more complete picture of how the school perceives itself and the process of self-reflection for continuous improvement. This summary is structured for the school to reflect on how it provides teaching and learning on a day to day basis. SY 2014-2015 Page 2 © 2014 Advance Education, Inc. All rights reserved unless otherwise granted by written agreement. ACIP Gadsden City High School Description of the School Describe the school's size, community/communities, location, and changes it has experienced in the last three years. Include demographic information about the students, staff, and community at large. What unique features and challenges are associated with the community/communities the school serves? Gadsden City High School (GCHS) is located in the city of Gadsden, in Etowah County and is situated in northeast Alabama. According to the 2011 Census Bureau, the city's population is 36,813 people. The median household income is $28,386, which is $13,695 less than the average income for Alabama. Gadsden occupies approximately 37 miles of the county's 535 miles. The reported county population is 104,430. Gadsden City High School is the only high school serving ninth through twelfth grade students within the Gadsden City School District. There are 1,543 students currently enrolled in GCHS with 65% eligible to receive free or reduced price lunches. The student population reflects a makeup of 1% Asian, 8% Hispanic, 51% African American, 39% White and 1% Multi-Race. Currently 18% of GCHS students have been identified as eligible for special education services. Gadsden City High School was constructed in 2006. Gadsden City High School was established and received its first students during the 2006-2007 school year. It was created from the consolidation of three long-standing high schools within the Gadsden City School District. Gadsden City High School has a strong reputation for providing excellence in academic achievement, athletics and co-curricular activities under the guidance and supervision of exceptional staff members. There are 151 certified and support employees at GCHS. Including administrators, there are a total of 105 certified staff members. Of those, 31% have earned master's degrees, 13% hold AA/Ed/S. degrees or higher. With more than 199 course offerings, GCHS provides the most extensive curriculum of any high school, public or private, in Northeast Alabama. Students may choose from among 14 Advanced Placement (AP) courses and nine Honor courses in the areas of science, mathematics, English, foreign languages and social studies. Students may also choose from among 53 Career and Technical Education courses in 20 different fields of study. Career Tech courses offer articulation agreements for community college credit at various institutions across the state. In addition, GCHS provides opportunities for students to earn college credit by exhibiting mastery of learning in the AP course curriculum and meeting criteria established by the College Board and university standards. Students also may gain college credit via dual enrollment. In addition, to enhance success for the at-risk student population, GCHS has partnered with Gadsden State Community College and Darden Rehabilitation Foundation by providing job skills coaches. The school also provides Student Teacher Advisement and Mentor Program (STAMP) and a graduation coach to assist at-risk students. PTSO and Career tech advisory committee actively support the total school program. Numerous extra-curricular opportunities (sports, band, fine arts, etc) are supported by booster organizations. These groups support the school by contributing funds and promoting involvement in all areas of student interest and participation. GCHS offers diverse opportunities for a diverse population which is achievable because of its stellar stakeholders. SY 2014-2015 Page 3 © 2014 Advance Education, Inc. All rights reserved unless otherwise granted by written agreement. ACIP Gadsden City High School School's Purpose Provide the school's purpose statement and ancillary content such as mission, vision, values, and/or beliefs. Describe how the school embodies its purpose through its program offerings and expectations for students. Mission Increasing in Learning, Service, Performance and Leadership, we prepare for the future. Core Beliefs Increasing student achievement expands educational opportunities Recruitment, development and retention of highly qualified educators and staff are key to student achievement Our school belongs to the community and, as a result, we should include stakeholders in decision-making All students must have a safe and clean school environment to foster superior learning Investment and use of innovative learning tools in technology are essential to maximize student learning Values We value rigor and relevance in both the instruction and assessment of students. We value the community as a partner in the education of our students. We value and invite different points of view from our stakeholders. We value preparing our students to be college-ready or work-ready upon graduation. The following components are necessary to create a school environment that promotes and expands educational opportunities: Challenging curriculum College and Career Ready Standards Accelerated/Advanced Placement Courses A+ College Ready Grant Program Dual Enrollment with local colleges Response to Intervention (RTI) Second Chance Program Credit Recovery ACT Test Prep Reading and Math Pacing Guides Career Technical Program Vertical Teams Strategic Plans AHSGE F.O.C.U.S. Recruitment, development and retention of highly qualified educators and staff are key to student achievement and are achieved by the following: Partnering with colleges and universities to place student and practicum teachers Effectively evaluate professional performance through Educate Alabama Enhance teacher development through coaching/mentoring SY 2014-2015 Page 4 © 2014 Advance Education, Inc. All rights reserved unless otherwise granted by written agreement. ACIP Gadsden City High School Train employees through quality professional development opportunities Our school belongs to the community and, as a result, we should include stakeholders in decision-making process includes: Monthly Parent/Teacher/Student Organization meetings are held to strengthen community involvement and collaboration Conduct Strategic Planning meetings Yearly Open House meetings to foster parent/teacher communication Frequently update school website to provide current information to stakeholders Administration actively seek input from Student Government and Class Officers Senior Class Parent meetings to discuss college admissions and financial aid Extra curricula have mandatory parent meetings to foster communication and parental involvement To ensure that all students have a safe and clean school environment to foster superior learning, GCHS institutes the following components: Two full time School Resource Officers Bullying/Harassment Policy 75 Indoor Security Cameras and 5 Outdoor Security Cameras Random class and locker searches Four grade level counselors Fire/Tornado/Lockdown plans Faculty meetings to ensure that faculty is aware of safety plans/evacuations Random drug testing Investment and use of innovative learning tools in technology are essential to maximize student learning to enable students to actively participate in a technological society Ninth Grade Academy