Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands The Consolidated Grant SY16-17 - Aligned to the PSS Strageic Priorities Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands Public School System Students First Students First

College & Career-Ready Students Evidence: 60% of CNMI PSS high school graduates go to college (US average for high school grads 63%), 15% enter the US Armed Forces (US average 1.5%) 20% Seek employment 5% Uncertain Source: 2014-15 Student Exit Survey

CG Program Sampler Allocating $1,672,841,000 for 35 Class Size reduction teachers at the elementary and secondary level to reduce class size; Allocating $1,100,000 for expanded OJT programs at the high schools with target of 500 students enrolled per year; Allocating $2,000,000 directly to our schools for supplemental materials for classroom instruction; Allocating $650,220 for PD focused on K-3 with coaching for teachers to reduce variability of instruction & 80% of students reading OGL by 2020; Allocating $670,000 for Heros to Teachers Program Allocating $797,707 for Distance Education with 36 courses offered; Allocating $687,342 for Title 1 focused on grades K-3 with tutorials;

High Student Performance Evidence: Comprehensive Service for Early Childhood Education, Middle School and College and Career Technical Education Programs; College and Career Ready Standards, integration of English Language Arts, Math and use of technology in instruction; 57% of students grades 3-10 scored at ready or OGL in English with a high of 72% in grade 7 and a low of 40% grade 9 on the Act Aspire for SY15-16; Over 2,000 students compete in student competitions in Forensic Leagues, STEM, Math Court, Mock Trial, Performing Arts Show Choir & School Band, Spelling Bee, Geography Bee, and numerous other academic competitions; 11 Gates Millennium Scholars whereas 2 for Guam, 3 for Hawaii, 8 for Missouri; MHS Aeronautical Dolphins Team drone design for winnng team from SY14-15 will be featured in a 5 minute documentary film at Democratic National Convention. Literacy, STEM, Well Rounded Education, College Pathways and Accelerated learning, Arundel High School, Maryland, 3 GMS, Hawthorne High School, CA 3 GMS, Phoenix Union Bioscience High School 3 GMS.

Highly Qualified and Effective Teachers and School Leaders Evidence: Provided professional development for teachers and leaders that improve student outcomes, created school cultures that are mutually supportive and tied to best research-based practices. McREL’s Classroom Instruction that Works, CITW with Technology, Success in Sight, Balanced Leadership, & Teacher & School Administrator Evaluation Systems, SIOP, Instructional Technology Endorsement, ELL Endorsement, & Response to Intervention strategies, New and Aspiring School Leaders

Meeting the Needs of Diverse Learners Evidence: Provided tutorials to approximately 1,600 students performing 2 or more grades below level, 84% showed improvement, 231 students exited the tutorial program by performing or or above grade level,(Source: SY2014- 2015 June Federal Monitoring Report) ELL - 37% identified and provided sheltered instruction. Students assessed annually to monitor progress using the WIDA ACCESS. SPED - PSS implements inclusion and provides accommodations as needed based on the students’ IEP.

Greater Equity Evidence: Gave teachers and leaders the resources to support student success - 98% of CG funds allocated directly to schools Most classrooms are equipped with computers, LCD projectors, internet connectivity, SMARTboards, Digital Capture devices, electronic libraries, etc. Distance Education online courses allow students on neighbor islands of Tinian and Rota access to high school courses offered in Saipan

High Performance and High Reliability Systems Evidence: PSS is accredited as a system through North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement with AdvancED; first in the Pacific region. Provided access to a challenging high school curriculum as confirmed by 75% of high school graduates going to college and/or enlisting in the armed forces, Annual audit for 2 consecutive years has clean opinion with no questioned costs.

Continuous Improvement / Next Steps Working with Partners Evidence: Creating academies focused on career- ready skill development through co- operative education and OJT that results in jobs during school and seamlessly after high school graduation, Partnering with the Chamber of Commerce to get youth ready for workforce through mentorship and cooperative education. (Target is 500 students per year & securing private sector jobs for our students)

Early Learning Evidence: CNMI PSS Comprehensive Literacy Plan (via Striving Readers Grant) CNMI PSS P-3 Initiative Comprehensive Service Plan for Pre-School, Kinder and grades 1-3 with coaching of teachers to reduce variability of instruction First territory to receive an Early Head Start grant

Safe Schools and Healthy Students Evidence: Character education programs (Peacebuilders, Virtues, Character Counts, Mega Skills) at all schools to prevent bullying and to build a safe and supportive school environment, Promote physical well-being of students through nutrition education and 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous daily exercise (wellness policy), School staff (administrators, counselors, teachers, aides) and Central Office are trained on crisis management response, as well as, certified in non-violent crisis management, Secured a low interest loan from Rural Development to build needed kindergarten classrooms and related school facilities. Peace Builders, Virtues, Character COUNTS, MEGA Skills

Conclusion Our SY16-17 CG Plan is aligned with the PSS Strategic Priorities, Core Values, Beliefs & Guiding Principles and our five year Accreditation from Advanced Ed. Thank you.