EDC+503+Su13+-+Central+Falls+High+School

Central Falls is a city located in Providence County, Rhode Island, centrally located in southern New England, with easy access to Providence, Boston, Hartford, and Worcester. The city covers 1.3 square miles and is the smallest and most densely populated city in the state. Central Falls High School is located at 24 Summer St., in the heart of Central Falls. The principal of the school, Joshua Laplant, is emphasizes a strong home school connection and asks parents "to communicate any questions or information with your child’s teacher, counselor, administrator, or other staff member. We are all here to support you and your student in the pursuit of excellence"(CFSchools.net, 2013). Despite efforts on behalf of the administration and staff, data shows a school that is failing in many areas, although students report some positive attributes of their school experience. The purpose of this report is to analyze the demographics, achievement, teaching, community, school safety, and funding at Central Falls High School and determine what type, if any changes have occurred over the past ten years.
 * Overview **

 The demographics of Central Falls is much different than what is represented in Rhode Island. The high school is primarily comprised of Hispanic students, making up 74% of the student body. The Hispanic population makes up only 22% of students across the state. Fifteen percent of the student population is African America, which is double the state’s 8%. One percent of students at Central Falls High School are Asian, similar to the state population of 3%. White students represent 10% of the students at Central Falls High School, whereas white students are 63% of students in Rhode Island. On a student reported survey, the demographic results are a bit different. While the same percentage of students reported that they are Hispanic at 74%, 25% of students identified themselves as white, 22% identified themselves as African-American, and 5% identified themselves as Asian. The racial breakdown of students in Central Falls is dramatically different than what is represented in the state of Rhode Island, and there are differences in how the students classify themselves, compared to how they are classified according to district data ([|http://infoworks.ride.ri.gov/school/central-falls-high-school)]. 
 * Demographics **

Central Falls High School students are dramatically under-performing when compared to the rest of the state. Students takes the NECAP test in 11th grade, and only 7% of high school juniors were proficient in math, compared to 30% statewide; Forty-one percent were proficient in reading, compared to 76% statewide; Eighteen percent were proficient in writing, compared to 51% statewide; and 14% were proficient in science, compared to 32% statewide. The math and science scores in Rhode Island are low, with only 30% of students demonstrating proficiency. Eleventh grade students in Central Falls are falling well below the standard in all areas and small percentages of students are proficient in each subject area ([|http://infoworks.ride.ri.gov/school/central-falls-high-school).]
 * Student Achievement **

Consistent with the NECAP scores, the SAT scores of Central Falls High School students is markedly lower than students in the state of Rhode Island. Central Falls students averaged a 410 in math, a 389 in reading, and a 385 in writing; Rhode Island students average 480, 477, and 470 respectively. Interestingly, when comparing the SAT scores to the NECAP scores, Central Falls students scored significantly lower in math in the NECAP and the math SAT score is their highest score ([|http://infoworks.ride.ri.gov/school/central-falls-high-school).] 

The Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) report shows the school making insufficient progress, only meeting 8/15 targets. The school did not meet the target scores in math for all students and economically disadvantaged students. They also did not meet the target for percent of students taking the test in English language arts for students with disabilities and in math for all students, Hispanic students, and students with disabilities. The school also did not meet the target for graduation rate, with a target of 76.7% and school only graduating 52.8% of students ([|http://infoworks.ride.ri.gov/school/central-falls-high-school).]

Despite the low test scores and graduation rates, on the surveyworks student survey 58% of students at Central Falls High School report that they plan on attending a 4-year college after graduation. Twenty-three percent of students report that they plan on attending a two-year college and 21% report that they plan on attending a community college. Only 9% of students report that they do not have specific plans, showing that Central Falls students are focusing on the future and have high hopes for continuing their education ([]).

Students at Central Falls High School feel positively about their teachers. Central Falls High School boasts a teacher to student ratio of 1:9, which is lower than the 1:11 ratio in the state, however 4% of teachers are not highly qualified and 3% have emergency certifications, which is greater than the state percentiles of 3% and 2% respectively. Fourteen percent of students report that all of their teachers keep them interested in class, compared to only 7% in the state. Twenty-one percent of students report that their teachers inspire them to do their best work, compared to 7% in Rhode Island. Fifty-six percent of students reported that someone from school helps them pick their classes, 74% reported that they felt that their classes were preparing them for college, and 86% of students reported that their teachers expected them to go to college. These statistics show that students view their teachers as positively, or even more positively than students view their teachers in the state ([]).
 * Teaching **

Central Falls is the poorest community in Rhode Island. Seventy percent of students at the high school qualify for subsidized lunch, which is less than the district's 86%, and significantly greater than the 46% of students statewide In order to qualify for subsidized lunch, the family income must fall below the federal poverty line. Twenty-three percent of students receive ESL/bilingual services, which is dramatically higher than 6% in the state. Twenty-eight percent of students receive special education services, which is double the number of students in the state. The high level of poverty combined with the high percentiles of ESL and special education students are contributing factors to the low levels of achievement ([|http://infoworks.ride.ri.gov/school/central-falls-high-school).]
 * Family, Community, and Home Life **

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">The students report that they feel supported in the community by adults other that parents; 85% report that an adult other than a parent believes that they will go to college; 77% report that they have an adult other than a parent to talk to if they have a problem. These numbers are similar to what students’ statewide report. Seventy-six percent of Central Falls High School students reported that their parents ask about school and that 95% of parents care about their grades; both numbers are similar to what student in Rhode Island report. However, 44% of students reported that their parents did not think their school is good, whereas only 25% of students reported that their parents were dissatisfied with the school statewide ([]).

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">Absenteeism is a major problem at Central Falls High School. Forty-nine percent of students are chronically absent, compared to 17% in Rhode Island. There is also a 24% mobility index, compared to 16% statewide. Seventy percent of students graduate from Central Falls High School, compared to 77% statewide, which is not a great difference considering the achievement gap. Thirteen percent of students drop out of high school in Central Falls, which is similar to the 12% in Rhode Island ([|http://infoworks.ride.ri.gov/school/central-falls-high-school).]
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">Safe and Supportive Schools **

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">The school reports that the majority of their discipline problems are caused by disorderly conduct and due to attendance/cutting class issues. Students reported lower instances of bullying in all categories than what was reported statewide. Students also reported that they felt comfortable talking to an adult at school if they were having a problem with students or classes and their numbers were consistent with what was reported statewide. Thirty-eight percent of students reported that they did not feel comfortable talking to and adult at school if there was a problem at home, which is also consistent with what was reported statewide <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">([|http://infoworks.ride.ri.gov/school/central-falls-high-school).]


 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">Funding **

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">Despite a median family income of just under $27,000, the per pupil expenditure in Central Falls is $14,347, which is just under the state average. Even though these numbers are typical for Rhode Island, the students report some dissatisfaction with the school facilities. Fifty-three percent of students report that they are sometimes or more frequently afraid to use the bathroom; only 14% of students report that there is always soap in the bathrooms; four percent of students say that the interior of the school looks nice. Students The students recognize that their school lacks resources- 58% of students report that their books are more than 10 years old, and 53% say that they have to share books ([|http://infoworks.ride.ri.gov/school/central-falls-high-school).]

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">Ten years ago, Central Falls was a bit different demographically, with 64% Hispanic students, 28% white students, and 8% black students. Similar to today, the community was very poor with 91% of students eligible for subsidized lunch in 2002; 22% of students received ESL/bilingual services and 12% of students received special education services ([]).
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">Changes Over the Past Decade **

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">In 2002, the administered tests were different than they are today. The students scored an average of 5.6% proficiency on the standardized math test and an average of 15% proficiency on the reading standardized test. Although the test administered today is different, assuming the tests are comparable, the student have made marked gains in the past decade on reading standardized tests, since 41% of students are proficient. This could be a result of school reform, since there are no other indicators that would result in such significant change ([]). <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">Central Falls continues to be a poor, primarily Hispanic community. According to district data, the number of white students has decreased in Central Falls and the Hispanic population has risen, yet the number of students receiving ESL/bilingual services has remained consistent. There were no surveys available to determine student satisfaction from ten years ago, but it appears as though a couple of conclusions can be drawn from the available test scores and demographic information. There has been very little change in math scores in the past ten years, showing that although education reform and teaching have affected reading test scores, they have not impacted math achievement. Central Falls is still under-performing in many areas, but the reading improvement demonstrates that change is possible, especially since it has occurred without significant change in demographics.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">Conclusion **

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">Works Cited <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">Infoworks. (n.d.). Retrieved July 12, 2013, from [] <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">Information works. (n.d.). Retrieved July 12, 2013, from [] <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;"> Principal's message. (n.d.). Retrieved July 13, 2013, from [] <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;"> central-falls-high-school/principal-message/ <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">Surveyworks. (n.d.). Retrieved July 12, 2013, from []