Parent Information Meeting “Education is a natural process carried out by the child and is not acquired by listening to words but by experiences in the environment.” --Maria Montessori

Agenda What it means that Denison is Title I this year How did Denison do on the School Performance Framework How Denison is providing an authentic Montessori experience within Denver Public Schools Denison Received a Time Collaborative Grant

We are a Title I school What does this mean?

We are Title I because… Our school has a high number of students who are eligible for Free and Reduced Price Lunch. We receive additional federal money to help increase student achievement in our school. Unified Improvement Plans (UIP) were written to clearly define how Title I money will be spent. You are welcome to attend a CSC (Collaborative School Committee) meeting or come to the office to see the UIP. CSC Meetings are held on the first Tuesday of the month from 5:30-7:00pm.

We are Title I because… All educational funds in our schools, including Title I, support a standards based education. 1% of the district’s Title I budget will be distributed to schools for parent involvement. You have the right to have input as to how this money is spent. You can learn more by contacting your CSC parent representative or attending a CSC meeting.

Highly Qualified Teachers You have the right to know the qualifications of the teachers in your school. You will receive a letter of notification in the Fall if your child is being taught by a teacher who does not meet the federal requirements. All of Denison’s teachers are Montessori trained (or in training) for the level they are teaching All of Denison’s teachers are highly qualified (or in the process) through No Child Left Behind All of Denison’s teachers are certified (or in the process) teachers in Colorado All of Denison’s teachers are either ELA-E or ELA-S endorsed (or in the process)

What is the State School Performance Framework (SPF)? The framework used, by the state, to provide information to stakeholders about each school’s performance based on the four key performance indicators: student academic growth student achievement achievement and growth gaps and postsecondary/workforce readiness. Schools are assigned to a type of improvement plan based on their performance across all of the indicator areas.

Title I Choice All 1st-12th grade students in our school are eligible for Title I Choice- this gives them the option to attend a higher performing school (as determined by the School Performance Framework) with transportation provided. A letter will be mailed to your home by January explaining your school choice options.

Q & A

2013 School Performance Framework (SPF)

Purpose of SPF The School Performance Framework (SPF) is a comprehensive system to help schools focus on strengths and areas for targeted improvement. It takes into account a wide range of factors to give ratings on how well each school supports student growth and achievement and how well each school serves its students and families.

What is the SPF? DPS launched the SPF in 2008 to help ensure that all of our schools are places of academic excellence. The SPF is an important tool in measuring our progress toward achieving our district vision – EVERY CHILD SUCCEEDS.

DPS Shared Core Values The SPF helps us: Put Students First Promotes Accountability Ensures Equity

What Does the SPF Measure? ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT The levels of student achievement in a school are measured in many different ways. A few key areas that are measured include: Growth. How much improvement did students at the school make over the course of the year? Status. Are students at the school achieving proficiency in the content areas tested? What percentage of students are at or above grade level? Achievement Gaps. Are there differences in the level of achievement of groups of students of different races, ethnicities, native languages or socio-economic statuses?

What Does the SPF Measure? Student Growth Growth in Reading, Writing, Math on TCAP Growth in Reading for young children, grades k-2 Growth in English Language proficiency for English Learners on WiDA ACCESS Growth on Graduation rates Growth on ACT and College Readiness measures

What Does the SPF Measure? Status Status in Reading, Writing, Math on TCAP Status in Reading for young children, grades k-2 Status in English Language proficiency for English Learners on WiDA ACCESS Status on Graduation rates Status on ACT and College Readiness measures

What Does the SPF Measure? Achievement Gaps Gaps in Reading, Writing, Math on TCAP Gaps in Reading for young children in grades k-2

What Does the SPF Measure? College and Career Readiness Enrollment and performance in Advanced Placement, IB and Concurrent Enrollment (college level) classes ACT Test Scores, both growth and status On-Track to Graduate (Credits earned on time)

What Does the SPF Measure? Parent Satisfaction and Student Engagement Parent Satisfaction Surveys Student Satisfaction Surveys Parent Response Rates Enrollment Rates Attendance

What are SPF Ratings? Based on the percentage of overall points earned, schools receive one of five overall ratings.

What are SPF Ratings? Distinguished, 80-100% of possible points (Blue) Meets Expectations, 51-79% (Green) Accredited on Watch, 40-50% (Yellow) Accredited on Priority Watch, 34-39% (Orange) Accredited on Probation, up to 33% (Red)

Our School’s Rating Denison Montessori School achieved a rating of Meets Expectations on the 2013 School Performance Framework (SPF), which means that our school Exceeds in Growth and Meets Expectations in Status Our rating is a tribute to the hard work and dedication of our students, teachers, support staff and families.

Historical SPF Data We’re moving up!

Looking Ahead While we celebrate this tremendous success, our goal is to exceed district expectations and achieve high status and high growth for all students. In order to accelerate our progress and make sure that all of our students are successful, we will continue to work and strive for improvements. We will: Provide support to students and parents by using Montessori principles of Grace and Courtesy to create a sense of community within the school Increase Teacher and Student awareness of minority cultures, beliefs and traditions through professional development and classroom instruction Denison will ensure the implementation of authentic Montessori math lessons to support student in their mathematical language development, ability to express their mathematical thinking (through written, oral, visual or material means) and apply their mathematical knowledge to real life applications.

Looking Ahead What do our results mean for our staff? Denison staff will receive professional development on: Montessori materials, extensions and parallel activities Grace and courtesy Minority cultures Bias Training Denison staff will align Common Core State Standards, district guidelines and Montessori curriculum including a school-wide definition for mastery in these areas Denison staff will also be working on strengthening our Montessori implementation as well as ensuring that Montessori is aligned to Common Core State Standards Denison staff will increase the field trip and going out experiences for elementary students

Looking Ahead Ways to get involved… Denison scored a 0 out of 3 points on attendance on the SPF. Please ensure that your students are at school every day and are at school on time. Attend CSC and/or FDM or PAC meetings to contribute your ideas on how we can increase community involvement at Denison. Participate in parent education and school community activities. Bring your friends who are reluctant to attend.

More Information If you would like more detailed information on the School Performance Framework or on our school’s SPF rating, pleas visit http://www.dpsk12.org/SPF You may also obtain a copy of our SPF scorecard on the website or you can pick one up in our front office.

Q & A

Essential Elements of Successful Montessori School in the Public Sector This document was created in the late 1990s by several Montessori organizations American Montessori Society Association Montessori Internationale North American Montessori Teachers’ Association Montessori Educational Programs International Southwestern Montessori Training Center Serves as a guiding document for Denison and the other Montessori Schools

Montessori Teachers Essential Elements Denison What do we need: Employ Montessori teachers who have Montessori credentials for the levels they teach. Maintain an active and open recruitment for Montessori credentialed teachers. Budget for future Montessori teacher education for non- Montessori credentialed teachers Provide professional Montessori in- service by experienced credentialed Montessori educators Contract for on-going internal and periodic external Montessori consultation and/or professional support as a follow up for Montessori teacher education Employ one paraprofessional per classroom, each having received Montessori orientation for that role. What do we need: Time and Money for professional development for Montessori teachers. Money for paraprofessionals and orientation 1 per lower elementary classroom in morning 1 for every 2 upper elementary classrooms 2 per primary classroom (licensing requirement)

Administration Essential Elements Denison What do we need: Employ an experienced Montessori teacher to serve as curriculum coordinator Employ a building principal/educational leader who has knowledge of Montessori principles and curriculum through Montessori coursework, Montessori Administrator Credential and/or annual conference exposure. Maintain commitment to the core Montessori curriculum and instruction even with changes in administrative staff Sustain and support of the central administration through high profile communications about program development Recognize that the best implementation process is to begin with the 2.5-6 age group and add one age at a time for a gradual progression What do we need: DPS Montessori principal, administrative assistant and Teacher leaders are working in collaboration to inform DPS about Montessori best practices.

Recruitment/Parent Education Essential Elements Denison Provide Montessori parent education programs that promote understanding of Montessori principles and curriculum Develop an admission process that informs parents about the nature of Montessori and seeks the necessary commitment to the program What do we need: Recreate our parent engagement program to best meet the needs of Denison’s parent community. Any suggestions are greatly appreciated!

Curriculum/ Environment Essential Elements Denison Offer a full complement of Montessori materials purchased from Montessori dealers Develop a classroom design that is compatible with Montessori “prepared environment” principles Create uninterrupted daily work periods of 90 minutes to 3 hours, considering the 3-hour work cycle as ideal Integrate specialty programs (music, art, physical education etc.) around the uninterrupted work periods. Apply the appropriate multi-age groupings: 6-9, 9-12, 12-15, 15-18 necessary for the diversity, flexibility and reduced competition integral to Montessori. What do we need: Money and fundraising for Material purchasing and upkeep. Prepared environments are the best they can be in our building. Need for nap room and computer lab. Time for uninterrupted daily work without. Currently 4 days a week uninterrupted AM and 4 days a week uninterrupted PM for Elementary. Primary has 5 uninterrupted AMs.

Assessment Essential Elements Denison Use a process of reporting student progress that is compatible with Montessori and includes parent conferences and authentic assessment tools such as observation, portfolio, performance assessment with rubric etc. Implement state mandated assessments in such a way that the character of the Montessori program is not compromised. What do we need: In a Montessori environment the teacher works in concert with the children to drive the curriculum. While we naturally follow a rich scope and sequence for teaching across the content areas, we are also constantly assessing to see: (1) if the content is resonating with each child, and how; (2) where each child’s own interests resides and how to support this self- discovery; and, (3) in what other ways content can be shared with children so that learners of all styles can find meaning in their work. Through the Formative Assessment and Scientific Observation Denison also administers a number of district and state assessments in Reading, Writing, Math, Science and Social Studies. This year, concerned staff and parents have been working with the district so that we can better administer these tests in a way that supports our program. We will be working as principals and teacher leaders to submit a recommendation on the possibilities and options for common formative assessments and interims based on the Montessori model.  The ARE department will also support this effort to gather additional information on Montessori programs, standards-based education, and assessments.  

Professional Development Essential Elements Denison Budget for continuing education through Montessori workshops and conferences Maintain membership with one or more of the professional Montessori organizations and seek Montessori accreditation to assure consistent quality. What do we need: Time & Money

Q & A

Time Collaborative Grant Denison has received a $10,000 grant towards planning on how to better use our time.  Launched in 2012, the TIME Collaborative is a multi-year investment in the development of high-quality and sustainable expanded learning time (ELT) schools in five states: Colorado, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York, and Tennessee. With guidance from the National Center on Time & Learning (NCTL) and local partners in each state, these schools and districts participated in an intensive redesign process to completely rethink their school day/year and add at least 300 hours to their learning schedule. These schools will leverage additional learning time to empower each student with the knowledge, skills, and experiences essential for college and career success. http://www.timeandlearning.org/?q=time-collaborative

Q & A

REMINDERS Fall Festival (This Saturday, October 26) Spanish Class (October 29, 30 & November 2) Grandparents/Special Friends Day (November 8) Thanksgiving Feast (November 14)