Guam Department of Education Consolidated Grant to the Insular Areas Abstract

The island of Guam, which is located in between Hawaii, the Philippine Islands and Japan, is the westernmost territory of the United States. Guam is an unincorporated territory of the United States with a population of approximately 180,692 island residents. The Guam Department of Education (GDOE) is the largest school district in the Western Pacific and serves a diverse population of students. Guam’s racial and social-economic status diversity is increasing and the GDOE is consistently challenged with ensuring that all students, despite race or socio-economic income status, are provided equitable and quality education. To ensure this goal is met, Guam provides services to both public and private educational institutions. The US Department of Education supports GDOE with grants and technical support to help serve the island’s 38,825 students; 31, 095 public and 7,730 private non-profit school children. For fiscal year (FY) Consolidated Grant Application, GDOE has been awarded $20,455, to execute innovative educational programs.

GDOE will carry out both State and local level programs and activities under the Title V-A program that includes the following 28 programs: Standards and Assessment  The Standards and Assessment Program is intended to address the historical misalignment of the GDOE’s curriculum, instruction and assessment policies. This will be achieved through the development of three curriculum-based products including a curriculum alignment document which will serve as the district’s curriculum map, clearly articulate the expected content of instruction; a curriculum guide which will provide teachers with sample lesson plans and resources to implement standards; and a standards-based assessment with will serve as the district’s criterion-referenced test to measure student achievement of the adopted content standards. Accountability  Standards Based Assessment (SAT10) develops rubrics to evaluate statewide student performance with an intended outcome that specify student performance criteria, address learning outcomes at various grade levels, and the development of a district standards based assessment that results in providing teachers and administrators help in the development of effective instructional plans and programs.

Educational Technology and Materials  Enhancing Education through Technology – Gateway to Success  Guam Community College – Technology Education Program  Catholic Schools – Technology Assisted Instruction Program  Saint Paul Christian School – Technology in the Classroom using a Virtual Library, Phase V  Southern Christian Academy – DOLPHINS: Student Achievement through Technology Assimilation Program The goal of these programs is to expand technology usage in the classrooms that focus on the development of knowledge, skills and employability attitudes through implementation of the career and technical education curriculum and applied academics. These programs will equip students and teachers with the tools and training necessary to be on the cutting edge of technology, and will provide subject matter technical assistance based on data collected through tests such as the SAT-10. Educational resources and intense curriculum will improve student success with technology and will also address weak areas as indicated on the SAT-10 scores. Resource materials such as professional journals, abstracts, and up-to-date periodicals will also be utilized to improve students’ reading and writing abilities to better prepare them for college.

 Summer School  Eskuelan Puengi Program  Alternative School Program  Department of Education Extended Day Program These programs address the needs of at-risk students in danger of dropping out of school and students who were expelled or suspended for major offenses at the middle and high school levels, by providing them an opportunity to attend in an school in alternative setting during the school day, in the evenings or during the summer. At-risk students in grades K-5 th will receive enrichment interventions to include an after-school program that supplements the school’s regular educational program in Language Arts, and Reading and Math. Students will also receive homework assistance, access to computers and library materials, and promotes a positive home-school relationship. Health Services/Safe and Healthy  Programman Inagofli’e’ aims to implement Positive Behavioral Interventions and Support (PBIS) in GDOE elementary and middle schools that serves as a framework wherein schools will utilize evidence-based practices that are necessary for building a positive school culture that promotes both social and academic success.

Teacher Quality and Professional Development  Teacher Retention Program  School Level Improvement Plan Professional Development These programs are designed to provide resources and professional development for public school teachers, in order to improve student outcomes, increase teacher effectiveness, parent involvement, and knowledge of technology in the classroom. Content Areas  Catholic Schools – Curriculum Enhancement of Basic Skills  Saint John’s – English Language Institute  English as a Second Language (ESL) Program  Success For All Programs  Programman Naguaha Lepblo Para I famagu’ on-ta  Guam Adventist Academy – Enhancing Student’s Science Experiences These programs provide an enriched curriculum utilizing updated resources, educational materials and technology to improve student academic outcomes. These programs focus on specific content areas such as English as a Second Language reform development, Chamoru language acquisition and enhancement, technology usage and hands-on learning experiences in Science.

 Direct Instruction, Success For All and Johns Hopkins Education Reform Programs are designed to improve student achievement in reading by paying a significant amount of attention to early intervention in reading in the elementary grades for DI and SFA and extensive corrective reading interventions in the secondary grades with JH. This is done by intensive tracking and monitoring of student performance, alignment with established benchmarks, and through sustained and intensive professional development for teachers. Special Programs  Parent-Family-Community Outreach Programs  Gifted and Talented Education Program  Guam Community College – Cooperative Education Summer Work Experience Program  Guam Community College – Integrating Science and Allied Health Program  Department of Youth Affairs – Community Reintegration Program  Asmuyao – Student Alternative Independent Learning at Risk Program  UOG 4H Science, Engineering, Technology and Math (STEM) Project These programs aim to close the achievement gap by providing instructional materials, training for administrators and teachers, addressing socio-economic characteristics of students, and promoting educational success amongst parents and families. The programs also focus on prioritizing the academic needs of students who are at risk of dropping out of school, as well as offering specialized career/technical education programs to provide students with work experiences and career training. Education is also enhanced by providing services for gifted and talented students based on a qualitatively differentiated curriculum.

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