Spanish Immersion 2016-2017 Program Plans

Continual Improvement is a Constancy of Purpose In Dr. W. Edwards Deming’s “14 points” he called for the “constancy of purpose for continual improvement of products and service to society.” Unrelenting, unwavering focus on improvement is critical to maintaining and sustaining process improvements in the long term. Changes need to maintain momentum to ensure the changes are not forgotten and don’t grind to a halt through fatigue or resistance. Successful continuous improvement programs understand that improvement is not merely an initiative – but a long-term practice that needs to permeate everything. Continuous Improvement Model Demings 14 points. We need to come together to form constancy of purpose and continual improvement to go from good to better…then great!

2015-16 Program Evaluation Recommendations Instruction Develop district guidelines for effective, research-based instruction in the Spanish Immersion classroom. Incorporate world language expertise and ACTFL (American Council of Teachers of Foreign Language) into instruction.   Parent & Community Education Incorporate parent voice in the collaborative administration of the program, i.e. advisory board. Create “ambassadors” to build community awareness and understanding for Spanish Immersion. Curriculum & Instructional Resources Ensure equity in the allocation of resources (English to Spanish). Monitor to ensure equitable access to English and Spanish resources. Professional Learning Provide professional learning on the guidelines of effective instruction in the Spanish Immersion classroom. Ensure teachers are trained in second language acquisition pedagogy and instructional practices. Program Articulation & Communication Establish program review timelines to ensure that the goals of the program are being met and reviewed to meet the needs of the school and community. Develop a profile of a successful SIP student (K-8). Support vertical and horizontal alignment between elementary and secondary program stakeholders. Student Engagement & Classroom Environment Provide support for increasing academic rigor and learning in the Spanish Immersion classroom. Increase student learning expectations to match the increasing cognitive demands of the TEKS and STAAR. Quickly – remember our program evaluation completed in 2015 – and the recommendations. We started with the 2nd – Parent & Community Education to establish a collaborative administrative parent voice for the program … an Advisory Board

2015-2016 Program Evaluation Recommendation Focus Areas Parent & Community Education Incorporate parent voice in the collaborative administration of the program, i.e. advisory board. Create “ambassadors” to build community awareness and understanding for Spanish Immersion.   Curriculum & Instructional Resources Ensure equity in the allocation of resources (English to Spanish). Monitor to ensure equitable access to English and Spanish resources. Professional Learning Provide professional learning on the guidelines of effective instruction in the SIP classroom. Ensure teachers are trained in second language acquisition pedagogy and instructional practices. Program Articulation & Communication Establish program review timelines to ensure that the goals of the program are being met and reviewed to meet the needs of the school and community. Develop a profile of a successful SIP student (K-8). – change to K-12 (per Advisory Committee) Support vertical and horizontal alignment between elementary and secondary program stakeholders. The Parent Advisory Committee has met December, January, twice in February and once in March – we’ve reviewed Board Policy, Elementary TEKS for Languages Other than English (TEA Chapter 114), Elementary TEKS Chapter 74 – Required Curriculum. We have solicited feedback from the whole committee and compiled responses – and have determined that there’s still a lot of work to be accomplished. It truly is about continual improvement … and because we have been successful in 1st-5th the Committee advises that the opportunities should be open to more children. Go back to the Parent & Community Education bullet – 2nd recommendation “ambassadors” – are a work in progress . Resources have been allocated during the most recent budget process and professional learning is on-going with Dr. Lewis. One thing I want to point out under Program Artic & Communication is from a Advisory Committee push – that is to expand the program to include K and go through grade 12.

2015-16 Program Evaluation Recommendations Work Continuation in 16-17 Instruction Develop district guidelines for effective, research-based instruction in the Spanish Immersion classroom. Incorporate world language expertise and ACTFL (American Council of Teachers of Foreign Language) into instruction.   Student Engagement & Classroom Environment Provide support for increasing academic rigor and learning in the Spanish Immersion classroom. Increase student learning expectations to match the increasing cognitive demands of the TEKS and STAAR. Regarding recommendations about Instruction and Student Engagement – these are areas of intense focus where the boots meet the ground – which is in the classroom.

New Work for 16-17 Based on Advisory Committee Goals: Revise the SIP Vision, Goals, Beliefs Produce a SIP Student Profile K-12 Develop timeline so that plans are in place by April 2017 Significant Changes to Program Expand into Kindergarten and through Grade 12 Add ES #28 So … as the world turns … and based on the Advisory Committee’s advice and goals … here’s where we’ve landed for 16-17