Board Highlights - October 2019
Math Self Study Update
In January 2019, Sequoia Union High School District (SUHSD) engaged in a self study of its math program facilitated by Callahan Consulting and the Silicon Valley Math Initiative. Phase 2 of the collaborative project between SUHSD, Callahan Consulting, and Silicon Valley Mathematics Initiative included an Algebra initiative involving teachers who volunteered to participate at each site. The two teachers participated in summer professional development, received regular on-site coaching from the consulting team, have an additional common prep period with which to collaborate with colleagues, and meet as a district-wide cohort on release days throughout the year.
The team is committed to common course components including: a common scope and sequence, common pre- and post-assessments, common Formative Assessment Lessons, and a common problem of the month. Overall, the goal for the effort is to shift the emphasis in targeted Algebra classes from coverage to learning, and from a focus on what the teacher does to what the student does. In this update, the Board of Trustees will receive an overview of the efforts in the Algebra 1 Initiative classes as well as efforts to include stakeholders in the math self-study.
The team is committed to common course components including: a common scope and sequence, common pre- and post-assessments, common Formative Assessment Lessons, and a common problem of the month. Overall, the goal for the effort is to shift the emphasis in targeted Algebra classes from coverage to learning, and from a focus on what the teacher does to what the student does. In this update, the Board of Trustees will receive an overview of the efforts in the Algebra 1 Initiative classes as well as efforts to include stakeholders in the math self-study.
English Learner Student Update
Having collected data over time about the District's English Learner (EL) students trajectory, John W. Gardner Center staff will report to the Board on their findings thus far. Staff believes the presentation will help to inform the Board concerning the ongoing work to improve outcomes for EL students. Attached is information in regard to "Exploring the Educational Trajectories of English Language Learners from Eighth Grade Through High School."
Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC) Results
In the spring of 2019, SUHSD students in the 11th grade took the Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC) English Language Arts (ELA) and Math assessments. In this presentation, staff will show the results of our students' performance, compare these to past years and other districts, and share how these findings could influence future practices.
- Click here to view the SBAC presentation
2019-2020 Tentative Agreement with the Sequoia District Teachers' Association - APPROVED
The term of the collective bargaining agreement between the Sequoia Union High School District (District) and the Sequoia District Teachers' Association (SDTA) expired on Jue 30, 2019. The District and SDTA opened negotiations in the spring 2019 but were unable to reach a tentative agreement by the end of the 2018-2019 school year. This fall, SDTA and the District resumed negotiations and were able to reach a Tentative Agreement on September 19, 2019. The signed Tentative Agreement is attached and included the following agreements:
1. For the 2019-2020 school year, the District shall increase the 2018-2019 SDTA salary schedules in Appendix A, B, and C of the collective bargaining agreement by 3.25% retroactive to July 1, 2019.
2. Add the following language to Article XII: Class Size Section 1.2: "If enrollment for ILS and STARS classes exceed 14 students, SDTA and the District will engage in conversation to problem solve."
3. SDTA and the District agree to convene a working group with representatives form the District, SDTA, Wellness, Mental Health, and Counseling to study and review current working conditions and responsibilities in preparation for 2020-2021 negotiations.
4. The District agrees that departments that exceed 41 sections be paid a stipend of $6,510.
5. The District and SDTA will negotiate a Successor collective bargaining agreement for the 2020 -2021 school year.
Fiscal Impact: The cost of an increase of 3.25% to the SDTA salary schedules is approximately $2,594,695. The District's estimated cost increase to maintain the current health and welfare benefits for SDTA members is approximately 1.0% or $798,367.
Local Indicator Outcomes for the 2018-19 Local Control Accountability Plan (LCAP) - APPROVED
As part of 2018-19 Dashboard reporting, the State has again included Local Indicators and asked districts to rate themselves on their progress in meeting them. Local Indicators are aligned to the Local Control Accountability Plan (LCAP) priorities approved by the Board in June of 2018. The results of the Local Indicators are published by the state on the District's California School Dashboard alongside those indicators measured by the state. This is the third year that Local Indicators have been included on the State Dashboard. No additional indicators were added to this year's template, but the prompts for Indicator 3, "Parent Involvement" were altered significantly. See this link: https://www.caschooldashboard.org/reports/41690620000000/2018
