APS extended the VISTA 2010 feedback phase until Nov. 10. The final version of the plan will be released Nov. 21. |
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What will happen to the Aurora Achievement Initiative with VISTA 2010? |
What are the next steps? |
| What are the plans for changing the calendar? |
| Why a performance incentive? |
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| What will happen to the AURORA ACHIEVEMENT INIATIVE with VISTA 2010? |
| The Aurora Achievement Initiative, which shaped the work of the district over the past four years, provides an excellent foundation as we move ahead. We are incorporating relevant strategies from the Achievement Initiative into VISTA 2010. |
| For example, under Goal I of the ACHIEVEMENT section of VISTA 2010, we will continue aligning our curriculum to meet state standards. Goal II enables us to continue to provide professional development to every staff member to ensure that we are able to meet student needs. The goals in the COMMUNITY section of VISTA 2010 will keep us focused on increasing parental and community involvement and support in our schools. |
| More details about the continuance of the Aurora Achievement Initiative will emerge in the next phase of VISTA 2010. Once we complete the feedback phase and revise this plan, we will develop a follow-on document called the VISTA Action Plan. This document will outline specific accountability processes for each goal and objective, including those responsible, timelines and metrics to measure progress and success. Right now, school and department staff members are analyzing how they will contribute to the action plan. |
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| What are the next steps? |
After the feedback phase closes on Nov. 10, members of the Assessment Office will analyze the results and share them with the APS Board of Education and me. We will then work with staff to incorporate suggestions and revise VISTA 2010. |
At the Nov. 21 APS Board of Education meeting, we will release the next version of the plan, which is designed to be a living, breathing document. We will also release the plan that night in special editions of E-News and Community Connection. |
| We will also complete the VISTA Action Plan (see above) to ensure that we have a clear map for achieving our goals. We will pilot aspects of the plan at several APS schools in the spring, and we will adapt VISTA 2010 as needed. |
| Our goal is to move forward to ensure that every one of our students is successful and that every student graduates prepared to succeed in college, if they so choose. |
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| What are the plans for changing the calendar? |
| After discussing calendar options with APS principals and members of the Aurora Education Association and Classified Employees Council, Deputy Superintendent Tony Van Gytenbeek has developed a sample calendar for consideration. |
| “We have received calls from folks who are worried about a calendar change. Our intention is to create a calendar that better supports instruction. We are proposing a voluntary fifth block of time for continuous learning to a significant number of our students. APS students would not attend school year-round or be on a track system. Instead, those with identified academic needs will have an extra opportunity for learning. Every student would continue to have winter break, spring break and at least a month of summer break,” Gytenbeek said. |
| The sample calendar divides instruction into five learning blocks over the year. This is a cost-effective way to extend the school year for those with the greatest need or for any student identified for acceleration or enrichment. |
| All students would attend the first four blocks of instruction during the year. The fifth block would be used to target students who need extra learning instruction to succeed. In effect, the school year would be extended for some students, with classes being offered at each school site for 22 additional days. |
The research we have collected indicates that those who benefit most from extended learning time are those most at risk because of soci-economic conditions or low English language skills, clearly issues in APS. This plan would also allow us to reduce “summer regression,” or the loss of learning that occurs for some students during the summer months. |
During the fifth block, students would continue learning in the familiar setting of their home school. Teachers would be hired at a per diem rate in core content areas, such as reading, writing and math, to teach at their home school. Most research agrees that it is not just extra time that yields the greatest results. Time must be coupled with high-quality instruction, which would be provided by our teachers who choose this additional professional option. Transportation Department staff members would offer similar routes as during the regular school year to ensure access for any interested student. |
Fortunately, APS has been extremely fiscally responsible. As a result, we plan to fund this calendar option for one year from our reserve funds. We will also monitor the success of this calendar change through enrollment, attendance and a variety of data-driven assessments, including CSAP performance. |
APS principals are sharing the calendar with staff and school accountability committees. The Aurora Education Association and Classified Employees Council is sharing it with its members as well to gather feedback. |
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Why a performance incentive? |
We are also receiving many calls about the performance incentive proposed in VISTA 2010. Some are concerned that this incentive would create competition and tension amongst staff. Our goal is simply to encourage staff to partner together to increase student achievement at the schools they serve. |
The performance incentive would be paid for with reserve funds for a single year. That is why we are not proposing that the incentive be added to the base salary schedules. |
| Incentive pay would be based on improvement of CSAP scores. Each school would have individual target scores. There may also be a district target score. Target scores will be calculated using the 2004-05 CSAP scores as a baseline and the annual improvement of scores required to achieve the goal of 80 percent of each school’s students earning a proficient or advanced score on CSAP by 2014. |
| The performance incentive will be provided to all staff, both instructional and non-instructional, because it is only by working together that we can support what takes place in the classroom. Our goal is to enhance community building, teamwork and the overall staff effort that is needed to support students and their learning. |
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| OPR: Communication Department - Updated as of Nov. 21, 2006 |
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Staff
Picking up the PACE!
