2010 OSEP Leadership Mega Conference Collaboration to Achieve Success from Cradle to Career College and Career Ready Standards View from the First State Delaware Martha Toomey and Julie Bower Strand 4 Presentation # S4-201

Delaware’s Reform Agenda Building on a decade of educational reform Partnerships with every district and charter school, business and industry with strong support from the Governor’s office We are Racing to the Top

Foundation Well developed statewide teacher evaluation system that ties student growth to teacher effectiveness Robust longitudinal data system linking student and teacher data

Data driven The data system tracks graduates’ performance in college Can link teachers to teacher preparation programs

Common Core Standards Delaware compared its standards to the Common Core standards in June 2010 SBE is will act on adoption of the Common Core Standards in August 2010.

New Assessment Beginning with the School Year the new Delaware Comprehensive Assessment System (DCAS) will provide a blended formative/summative assessment three times a year

Assessment DCAS is a computer adapted assessment system There will be assessment windows three times a year beginning in September when formative and summative assessments occur

Assessment DATA from DCAS will flow into the individual student data system to provide immediate information to the LEAs, schools, teachers and students regarding performance

Data Support Data coaches will be deployed to districts to assist school teams with analyzing DCAS and other student data Immediate feedback through DCAS will allow schools to target supports to those students who need them most

Data Support DATA from our Longitudinal Data System connects with other state data systems, including those that measure student performance in Institutes of Higher Education The linkage is one that will allow the State to understand whether our students are graduating college-ready

Special Education Initiatives SPDG has focused on teacher retention and increasing competency in math and ELA Discretionary IDEA dollars have been subgranted to districts to purchase technology to ensure access (both print and sound) All districts/charter schools have a designated NIMAS coordinator

Focus on career pathways Student Success Plans are required for all Delaware students grades 8 through 12 The SSP is designed to identify career paths for students and is a tool that students can use to chart their courses for higher education

Career and College Ready The SSP can be used as an age appropriate assessment tool for transition planning so that students with disabilities are accessing the same tool as other students State support for all students to take the SAT

Career and College Ready Delaware high schools are adjusting career and technical pathways to align with industry-recognized certifications. High School graduation requirements have been matched to entry requirements to State IHEs Free College Tuition for an associate degree at Delaware Technical and Community College

More data The statewide data system will be enhanced to track students beyond secondary school so that IHEs will be better informed regarding teacher preparation

Engaging LEAs and Students District transition coordinators meet quarterly with SEA representatives Statewide Transition conference partners with Vocational Rehabilitation and Developmental Disability Services This year over 600 parents, students, educators and agency folk attend

Let’s talk specifics What is different day to day in districts and classrooms to ensure students are college and career ready.

Student Preparation Talent Development From the elementary level through the Middle schools students are exposed to planned talent development courses. These non- traditional mini classes are designed to expose students to career options and educational experiences that are not part of the standard curriculum.

Middle School Academic Interventions Students who are struggling with any content area are given enrichment periods to further develop skills. After school programs are added for any student, and meet twice a week for assistance with core academic classes Teachers participate in on- going professional development in differential of instruction and teaching strategies for all learners.

Middle School All students in 8 th grade start the Student Success Plan by taking the Career Cruising interest inventory on-line. Students are formally invited to their own IEP meetings, and not just encouraged but required to attend. Students are given opportunities to lead their own meetings. Different tools are such as MAPS, and PATHS are used to help make programming decisions. The Career Cruising profile is used during IEP meetings to help develop the 4 year plan for high school, by choosing courses based on interests and preferences. Students with IEP’s have a separate transition meeting to meet high school staff and discuss class placement and course requests.

High School Professional Development – Curriculum teams meet to review test data and develop instructional strategies to meet target curriculum standards and goals. – Accommodation training is conducted with all staff annually. – Educational Diagnosticians/School Psychologists participate in Monthly professional development. – ED’s and Psychologists are based within schools to provide greater support to students, teachers and administration. They provide continued professional development on Special education issues.

High School All students take PSAT’s 4 year plans are reviewed annually to determine course requests Students are offered Study Skills courses to identify learning styles to help develop specific note and test taking skills to compliment learning styles. Career Cruising is continued to help students choose possible colleges, explore needed courses and requirements. Students update Student Success plans, adding courses taken, employment experiences and group affiliations and extracurricular activities.

Instructional Strategies Double credit, Year long Math classes Corrective action classes in English and Math for those students not meeting curriculum standards. Programming options to ensure proper learning environment for all learners. Small group inclusion classes. Afterschool help classes for core academics. SAT prep classes offered for all high school students.

High School ALL Students: Students are required to attend and actively participate in IEP meetings. Students are encouraged to learn about their disability and how it affects their learning needs. Students are given a Transition Survey and information along with Career Cruising profile is used in development of IEP. Accommodations are reviewed with student to ensure that students and teachers are aware of accommodations and how they are to be properly administered. Accommodations requests for PSAT and ACT tests are completed for students requiring testing accommodations Students attend college information meetings at the high school, meet with recruiters, visit college campus’s and attend employment/Post-secondary fairs held at school. Students are referred to appropriate adult agencies and supports.

High School Post-Secondary Education in 4 year Colleges or 2 year Technical/Vocational Programs Transcripts are reviewed to ensure proper courses are being taken, including higher level math, and foreign languages. Career Cruising is used to investigate schools within given interests areas. Students are encouraged to visit selected colleges, visit with accommodation specialists to determine what accommodations are available and what documentation is needed. School Psychologist reviews accommodations with student and provides letter to document disability and accommodations used in high school. Students attending Voc-tech programs through DVR are required to take additional academic support class to help navigate their first year, work on study skills, seek appropriate supports and develop self advocacy skills

Employment Preparation Students meet with VR counselor Fall of senior year to identify and visit possible training program options. Student may start training in the second semester of senior year. Students may be referred to employment readiness training. Students develop resumes within English courses. Students may participate in work-study programs through career pathways. Eligible students may participate in Early start to employment programs supported through DVR/DDDS during their final year.

TRANSITION Transition Specialists are employed in each district to ensure compliance with indicator 13 and to work with teachers to implement transition activities within the curriculum. Work with district staff to develop programs to meet the needs of all learners. Ensure referrals to adult agencies or supports needed for transition goals. Participate in regional meetings with businesses, adult agencies and post-secondary institutions: – This enables the schools to better prepare students for what they will encounter when the leave. – Provides information about non-traditional post-secondary options. – Provides opportunities for districts to share best practices.