EDC+503+Su13+-+Veterans+Memorial+Elem+School

 EDC 503 Su13 School Description - JoyE

Veterans Memorial Elementary School 150 Fuller Ave. Central Falls, Rhode Island 02863


 * Introduction **

Veterans Memorial Elementary School is a public school located in Central Falls, RI which services 474 students in grades one through four. The population of the city of Central Falls is very diverse and the median family income is the lowest in the state. These two factors present challenges for Veterans Memorial Elementary School which falls significantly behind the state average in all areas of the NECAP. The majority of the student population is Hispanic (77%) followed by African American (11%), White (9%), and Multiracial (2%) [1]. The ethnic breakdown for the state is White (63%), Hispanic (22%), African American (8%), Asian (3%), Multiracial (3%), and Native American (1%) [2]. The Median Family Income $26,844 of is followed by Providence at $32,058 and Woonsocket at $38,353. The highest Median Family Incomes are in Jamestown at $77,990, Barrington at $84,657, and East Greenwich at $90,221[3].

This report looks at Veterans Memorial Elementary school over the past decade and compares various statistics relating to the following areas: Student Achievement; Teaching; Family, Community, and Home Life; Safe and Supportive Schools, Funding and Resources; and changes in the past decade based on the 2002 School Accountability for Learning and Teaching (SALT) Report. Based on the statistics mentioned, insight is provided regarding the success or failure of reform efforts, including No Child Left Behind (NCLB) and Race to the Top (RTTT). The success and failure of past reforms can help decision makers make informed decisions on future reform efforts. In addition, this report highlights areas of concern for parents, teachers, and the community.


 * Student Achievement **

Veterans falls significantly behind the state averages in all areas of the NECAP (New England Common Assessment Program), however they did make progress and met all 23 of their AYP (Adequate Yearly Progress) targets set by RIDE in both English and Mathematics [4]. The Veterans and State averages are: 3rd Grade Math (36% vs. 60%); 3rd Grade Reading (49% vs. 73%); 4th Grade Math (37% vs. 65%); 4th Grade Reading (51% vs. 71%); and 4th Grade Science(16% vs. 45%). All of the student groups at Veterans met their targets in both reading in math by making rapid progress under the federal guidelines for ‘Safe Harbor’ [5].

The AYP Summary Report classified Veterans as ‘Delayed’. This means that it was previously classified as ‘In Need of Improvement’ because it did not meet all of its targets the prior year but it met all of its targets this year. A school with a ‘Delay’ status is still considered to be ‘In Need of Improvement’. It has been 8 years since Veterans was initially designated as ‘In Need of Improvement’. Their new status indicates that they have made improvement since last year.

The diverse population at Veterans presents special needs and challenges. Although, Veterans met 10 of the 18 yearly AMO (Annual Measureable Objectives) targets set by RIDE (RI Department of Education) in 2012-2013, the White subgroup was the only one to meet both the Reading and Math targets based on the actual proficiency scores (plus the error). The student groups who did not meet either of the Reading or Math targets were Hispanics, Economically Disadvantaged Students, and students in the Minority Super-subgroup.

The Students with Disabilities, English Language-Learners, and Program Super-subgroup fell short of their targets, however, under federal guidelines for “Safe Harbor,” they made sufficient progress to meet their targets. The African American subgroup met their targets in Reading and Math, however, they satisfied their Math requirement by making sufficient progress, not by the actual number of proficient students.

According to the Accountability Summary, Veterans is classified as a “Focus” school which means that there was “substandard achievement in reading and math and/or unacceptable achievement gaps.” It is the second lowest rating given by the state. Veterans received a total Composite Index Score of 42.7 (out of 100). This is lower than the district rating of 45.0 and the state rating of 48.0 [6].


 * Teaching **

The teachers at Veterans provide a supportive learning environment for the students. Based on the SurveyWorks survey*, the number of children who answered ‘Always’ to “My teachers make learning fun” was 64.6%. The state average for the ‘Always’ response was 40%. The number of children who answered ‘Always’ to “My teachers want me to learn more” was 68.4% which again exceeded the state’s average of 52.6% [7].

Veterans has a student to teacher ratio of 1 to 10. This is better than the state-wide ratio of 1 to 11. There are no teachers with emergency certifications, however, 6% of the teachers are not considered ‘highly qualified.’ This is higher than the state average of 3% [8].

Of the students surveyed at Veterans, 81% responded that they would finish high school and 79% responded that they would go to college. These figures seem quite high based on the community and district data for Central Falls and can probably be attributed to a positive and supportive school environment. However, they do fall slightly behind the state averages of 85.6% and 81.4% [9].

Although the learning environment is positive and supportive, we have no way to determine the effectiveness of the teachers or the curriculum they are using. These could be major factors in the low test scores.

*Note the SurveyWorks data was only available for 4th graders at Veterans. Grades 1 – 3 were not surveyed.


 * <span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;">Family, Community, and Home Life **

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 11pt;">The students at Veterans have a lot of special needs. Thirty-six percent of the students receive ESL/bilingual education. The state average is 6%. Ninety-nine percent of the students at Veterans Memorial Elementary School qualify for subsidized lunch. This is more than double the state average of 46%. Twelve percent of the students receive special education services. This is slightly lower than the state average of 15% [10].

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 11pt;">Parents seem to take an interest in what their child is doing at school. Based on SurveyWorks data, the parents of Veterans students want to know what their children are doing in school (93.8%) and also want them to get good grades (98.8%). These percentages are slightly less than the state averages of 94.8% and 99.5%, respectively [11].


 * <span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;">Safe and Supportive Schools **

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 11pt;">The caring atmosphere at Veterans would have a positive impact on the Attendance Rate (94%) and Chronic Absenteeism Rate (19%) which do not significantly differ from the state averages (95% and 17%, respectively) [12]. Students agreed to the following statements on the SurveyWorks survey: “My teachers care about me.” (96.2%); “I think my teachers like teaching.” (98.7%); and “My teachers are nice to me (96.3%).”[13]

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 11pt;">One of the challenges that teachers face at Veterans is that only 78% of students are likely to stay at Veterans throughout the school year (Stability Index). This is lower than the statewide rate of 87%. And, the percentage of students who moved into or out of Veterans during the school year (Mobility Index) is 28% which is much higher than the state average of 14% [14]. These factors can have a disruptive effect on the classroom.

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 11pt;">Twenty four students (or 30.4%) had been in a fight at school this year in which they had hit/touched another person. This is much higher than the statewide rate of 16.7%. However, there were only 2 suspensions during the year. Bullying is a problem but not significantly higher than the state averages. At Veterans, 51.9% of students reported experiencing at least one type of bullying compared to the 51.1% state average and, 35.1% of students reported experiencing at least 2 types of bullying compared to the 32.8% average statewide [15].


 * <span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;">Funding and Resources **

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 11pt;">The expenditure per student in Central Falls is $14,347 which is more than some of the wealthiest towns in RI. East Greenwich spends $14,086 per student, North Kingstown spends $13,700 per student, and Barrington spends $12,379 per student. The tax rate is the third lowest in the state at $8.08 [16].

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 11pt;">School resources seem adequate based on answers to some of the student survey questions. There are enough books for everyone in a classroom according to 91.3% of the students. This lags slightly behind the state average of 93.9%. And, the outside of the school building look nice according to 82.7% of the students compared to 81.6% statewide. One question that indicates that the school may need some upkeep on the inside is that only 76.6% of students thought that the school looked nice inside. At the state level, 88.4% were happy with the inside of their school [17].


 * <span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;">Changes Over the Past Decade **

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 11pt;">According to the 2002 SALT Report, the majority of the 521 students were Hispanic (60%) followed by White (30%) and Black (10%). The Hispanic population, according to 2012 data, has increased and continues to make up the majority of students at 77%. The White population decreased to 9% and the Black population remained about the same at 11%. Multiracial students now make up 2% of the population.

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 11pt;">In 2002, 95% of the students were eligible for free or reduced-priced lunch. This increased to 99% in 2012. In 2002, 20% received special education services. This decreased to 12% in 2012. And, in 2002, 25% are English Language Learners. This increased to 36% in 2012.

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 11pt;">According to the SALT Report, “Students sincerely appreciate the nurturing, loving, and supportive environment created by the principal, teachers, and support staff. Students and their families depend on the adults in the school to provide for their children’s academic, social, emotional, and physical needs, and they are not disappointed. Their needs are met before, during, and after school. Students are clearly the central focus in the life of this school.” Charts illustrating the responses from the SALT Survey for students, parents and teachers are below. This supportive environment still exists at Veterans in 2012 due to the caring and enthusiastic teachers.

Chart 1 - School Climate 2000-2002 [19] <span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;">

Chart 2 - Teacher Responses from the SALT Survey 2001-2002 [19] <span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;">

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 11pt;">Despite a supportive environment provided by Veterans in 2002 and in 2012, Veterans students do not perform well on their tests. The tests taken in 2002 differ from the NECAP tests taken in 2012. However, if we assume that the reading and math portions of the 2002 tests are similar to the NECAP, there has not been a significant improvement in test scores.

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 11pt;">In 2002, math school assessments were based on the New Standards Mathematics Reference Examination. Some of the subtests and associated results were: <span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 11pt;">In 2012, 37% of 4th Graders were proficient in Math based on the NECAP assessment.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 11pt;">Mathematics: basic skills || <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 11pt;">34% of the fourth graders met or exceeded the standard ||
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 11pt;">Mathematics: concepts || <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 11pt;">14% of the fourth graders met or exceeded the standard ||
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 11pt;">Mathematics: problem solving || <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 11pt;">6% of the fourth graders met or exceeded the standard ||

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 11pt;">The New Standards English Language Arts Reference Examination was used for reading and writing assessments. Some subtests include: <span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 11pt;">In 2012, 51% of 4th Graders were proficient in Reading based on the NECAP assessment.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 11pt;">Reading: Basic Understanding || <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 11pt;">53% of the fourth graders met or exceeded the standard ||
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 11pt;">Reading: Analysis and Interpretation || <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 11pt;">35% of the fourth graders met or exceeded the standard ||

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 11pt;">Veterans was considered a Low Performing school in 2002 according to state reports on the Information Works website (see chart below). The percent of students testing at the lowest performance levels far exceeded the percentage of students demonstrating proficiency in the following test areas: Math - Concepts; Math - Problem-Solving; Writing.

Chart 3 - Performance Progress 2001-2002 [19] <span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;">

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 11pt;">The following excerpts from the SALT Report provide insight into why test scores are so low:

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 11pt;">“Most teachers at Veterans School acknowledge the need for standards-based instruction and performance-based assessments. However, most report that they have not had adequate training and professional development to incorporate standards-based instruction across the curriculum.”

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 11pt;">“While most teachers differentiate instruction to meet the needs of their students, some of the current modifications and adaptations do not support learning for all students. Some teachers provide students with opportunities for rigorous and challenging learning. Others, while believing that all students can learn, do not always provide the rigor and challenge needed. Consequently some students do not have equal opportunities to learn at a high level across the curriculum.”

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 11pt;">The SALT Visit Team recommended that the Central Falls School District provide resources for needed professional development, provide direction for the implementation of content and performance standards, and provide a comprehensive standards-based curriculum for all subject areas [18].


 * <span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;">Conclusion **

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 11pt;">The school climate and challenges at Veterans have remained relatively static across the decade (2002 - 2012). Veterans provides a supportive learning environment where the teachers want the students to succeed, however, the school has <span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 15px;">only made minimal progress in the past decade. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 11pt;">The school has a very a diverse population with special needs which presents challenges, however, the consistently low test scores indicate that the reform efforts, including NCLB and RTTT, have not been successful and that additional problems exist. According to the SALT Report, the main problem stems from the lack of professional development and a lack of a standards-based curriculum. Based on the similarity in data in 2002 and 2012, it is assumed that the problems identified in the SALT Report still prevail in 2012. The school requires support from the District to get the tools that they need to address these issues. The findings in this report are important for district policy makers, teachers, parents, and the community to make informed decisions on how to help their school succeed in the future.

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 11pt;">One positive change which took place in the 2012-2013 school year is that the Central Falls School District was selected by the Rhode Island Department of Education to operate 1 of 8 Pre-Kindergarten classrooms in the state. This is a full day program at no cost to the families. Children who will be four (4) years old by September 1st and are residents of Central Falls are eligible. This program will prepare students to start school and they will enter kindergarten with a better set of skills and knowledge and, in turn, be more prepared upon entering Veterans [20].


 * <span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;">References **

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 10pt;">[1] Rhode Island Department of Education (2012). InfoWorks! Rhode Island Education Data Reporting. Veterans Memorial Elementary, Families and Communities, School Characteristics. Retrieved July 2013, from [] <span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 10pt;">[2] Rhode Island Department of Education (2012). InfoWorks! Rhode Island Education Data Reporting. Rhode Island Public Schools, Statewide Data, Families and Communities, School Characteristics. Retrieved 2013, from [] <span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 10pt;">[3] Rhode Island Department of Education (2012). InfoWorks! Rhode Island Education Data Reporting. Statewide Data, Funding and Resources, Tax and Spending. Retrieved 2013, from [] <span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 10pt;">[4] Rhode Island Department of Education (2012). InfoWorks! Rhode Island Education Data Reporting. Veterans Memorial Elementary, Student Achievement, Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP). Retrieved 2013, from [] <span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 10pt;">[5] Rhode Island Department of Education (2012). InfoWorks! Rhode Island Education Data Reporting. Veterans Memorial Elementary, Student Achievement, NECAP Assessments. Retrieved 2013, from [] <span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 10pt;">[6] Rhode Island Department of Education (2012). InfoWorks! Rhode Island Education Data Reporting. Veterans Memorial Elementary, Student Achievement, Accountability. Retrieved 2013, from [] <span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 10pt;">[7] Rhode Island Department of Education (2012). SurveyWorks! Rhode Island Education Survey Suite. SurveyWorks! 2011-2012 School Level Report Veterans Memorial Elementary. Retrieved from page 8, from [] <span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 10pt;">[8] Rhode Island Department of Education (2012). InfoWorks! Rhode Island Education Data Reporting. Veterans Memorial Elementary, Teaching, Qualifications and Student-Teacher Ratio. Retrieved 2013, from [] <span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 10pt;">[9] Rhode Island Department of Education (2012). SurveyWorks! Rhode Island Education Survey Suite. SurveyWorks! 2011-2012 School Level Report Veterans Memorial Elementary. Retrieved from page 9, from [] <span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 10pt;">[10] Rhode Island Department of Education (2012). InfoWorks! Rhode Island Education Data Reporting. Veterans Memorial Elementary, Families and Communities, School Characteristics. Retrieved July 2013, from [] <span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 10pt;">[11] Rhode Island Department of Education (2012). SurveyWorks! Rhode Island Education Survey Suite. SurveyWorks! 2011-2012 School Level Report Veterans Memorial Elementary. Retrieved from page 18, from [] <span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 10pt;">[12] Rhode Island Department of Education (2012). InfoWorks! Rhode Island Education Data Reporting. Veterans Memorial Elementary, Safe and Supportive Schools, Attendance. Retrieved 2013, from [] <span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 10pt;">[13] Rhode Island Department of Education (2012). SurveyWorks! Rhode Island Education Survey Suite. SurveyWorks! 2011-2012 School Level Report Veterans Memorial Elementary. Retrieved from page 14, from [] <span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 10pt;">[14] Rhode Island Department of Education (2012). InfoWorks! Rhode Island Education Data Reporting. Veterans Memorial Elementary, Safe and Supportive Schools, Student Indicators. Retrieved 2013, from [] <span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 10pt;">[15] Rhode Island Department of Education (2012). SurveyWorks! Rhode Island Education Survey Suite. SurveyWorks! 2011-2012 School Level Report Veterans Memorial Elementary. Retrieved from pages 13 & 15, from [] <span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 10pt;">[16] Rhode Island Department of Education (2012). InfoWorks! Rhode Island Education Data Reporting. Rhode Island Public Schools, Statewide Data, Funding and Resources, Taxes and Spending. Retrieved 2013, from [] <span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 10pt;">[17] Rhode Island Department of Education (2012). SurveyWorks! Rhode Island Education Survey Suite. SurveyWorks! 2011-2012 School Level Report Veterans Memorial Elementary. Retrieved from page 20, from [] <span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 10pt;">[18] Rhode Island Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (2002). School Accountability for Learning and Teaching. Veterans Memorial School, Central Falls, The SALT Visit Team Report. Retrieved July 2013, from []ns_Memorial_Elementary.pdf <span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 10pt;">[19] Rhode Island Department of Education (2002). Information Works! 2002 School Report Cards. Veterans Memorial Elementary. Retrieved July 2013, from[] <span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 10pt;">[20] Central Falls School District (2013). Central Falls School District News. Free Pre-Kindergarten Program - Central Falls. Retrieved July 2013, from[]