Improving Academic Achievement of Black/African American Students Superintendent’s Report to Board September 15, 2015

Current Situation Higher numbers of Black/African American students reported the following on the CA Healthy Kids Survey in comparison to other students Have mostly F’s in school Absent due to Suspension Do not feel connected to school or part of the school Do not feel safe at school Have been harassed at school

Current Situation Lowest performing subgroup (by ethnicity) in: English (CST , SBAC 2015) Math (CST , SBAC 2015) Disproportionate suspension and expulsion rates

Superintendent’s Advisory Committee to Improve Academic Achievement of Black/African American Students Steering Committee Superintendent Assistant Superintendent of Secondary Education Coordinator of Assessment/Research/Evaluation Coordinator of Child Welfare and Attendance Coordinator of Positive School Climate Community Members

District and Community Partnership to Improve Student Success at School Further identify issues Student survey Data analysis Develop Plan based on identified areas of need Examples: tutoring, mentoring, connecting students to school, career awareness/exploration, goal setting Reach out to community Engage parents in the process Evaluate to identify successes and areas to improve (post-survey)

Timeline September Identify students Current 4 th -7 th graders identified as Profile 1 based on assessments Current 8-12 graders with a GPA below 1.5 as of June, Estimate: 430 students based on above criteria Communicate with parents/guardians Letter home to introduce program and seek permission to participate Follow up communication October Students complete anonymous on-line survey (Developmental Assets Profile) November – December Committee develops plan based on needs January Plan shared with Board and site administrators Begin implementing plan

Anticipated Costs Pre and post survey, including reports:$ Mailing of Parent Letters:$ Fingerprinting Volunteers:$45.00 per person