January 2002 News Archive
Tuesday, January 29, 2002
Santa Barbara High Principal to Assist the Office of Secondary Curriculum
Known throughout the educational community as simply "J.R.," Santa Barbara High School principal John L. Richards has accepted the challenge of assisting the Santa Barbara High School District with the implementation of new initiatives focused on the California High School Exit Exam. The change in his responsibilities will coincide with the new school year, beginning July 1, 2002. Until that time, he will continue to guide the staff and students of Santa Barbara High School, the oldest school in the Santa Barbara School Districts. A new principal for Santa Barbara High School has not yet been identified.
In his new role as Director of Secondary Curriculum, Mr. Richards will focus on improving student achievement at all eight District secondary schools. The secondary district serves the needs of more than 10,000 middle, junior high, and high school students. [Note: The Santa Barbara Elementary School District is a wholly separate legal and financial entity that serves more than 5,800 children in grades K-6. The Santa Barbara Elementary School District is one of five local elementary "feeder" districts whose students matriculate into the Santa Barbara High School District once they reach grade 7, and grade 6 at La Cumbre Middle School.]
Trained as a mathematician, Principal Richards will bring his expertise to perhaps one of the most important goals in the secondary district: Preparing all students to pass the 2004 High School Exit Exam. To meet that challenge, efforts will be focused on measures that include providing a standards-aligned curriculum and assessment; providing relevant professional development for staff, including specific standards-aligned training; expanding the developmental reading program; and expanding the developmental math program. In taking on this responsibility, Mr. Richards will provide support to, and be under the direction of, Assistant Superintendent Mike Couch. According to Assistant Superintendent Couch, "California continues to raise the bar for student achievement, as demonstrated by the 2004 High School Exit Exam. The Exit Exam presents a formidable challenge for some of our subgroups of students. I appreciate the help that J.R. will provide as we work on ways to address those educational needs."
"Serving as the principal of Santa Barbara High has been a personal and professional highlight of my life," stated Mr. Richards. He continued, "As a former Associated Student Body president and 1957 graduate of Santa Barbara High, serving as the school’s principal has been such an honor. In fact, my wife, her family, and the Richards family, beginning with my grandfather and mother, represent four generations of Dons. I am proud that my grandchildren will one day be part of that olive and gold tradition." When reflecting upon the school community, Mr. Richards noted, "It has been a tremendous honor to work with the outstanding students, parents, dedicated staff, and devoted alumni of Santa Barbara High. They are the best! But, the face of education is changing and the new California Exit Exam will soon determine who graduates from high school and who doesn’t. The stakes are high and I plan to do everything I can to make sure that none of our community’s students are left behind."
A graduate of Franklin, Roosevelt, McKinley, Santa Barbara Junior High, and Santa Barbara High School, Mr. Richards attended Stanford University and the University of California, Santa Barbara, where he received a bachelor’s degree in mathematics . He earned a general secondary teaching credential from UCSB, administrative credential from Cal Lutheran, and a master’s degree in educational administration from Cal Lutheran.
Mr. Richards served as a mathematics teacher in the Santa Barbara High School District for 25 years, first at Santa Barbara Junior High, then at Dos Pueblos High, followed by Santa Barbara High. During that time, he was a math department chair at Dos Pueblos High School (seven years) and then at Santa Barbara High School (eight years). For eight years, Mr. Richards was the District’s mathematics coordinating chair. He was the principal author or co-author of all current District math objectives and has served as a mentor teacher. Mr. Richards received a Tandy Outstanding Teacher Award, 1996 Crystal Apple Award for Administrators, and was recognized by the Rotary Club for Outstanding Service to Santa Barbara High School.
Mr. Richards served as an assistant principal at Santa Barbara High from 1993 until he accepted the principalship on September 12, 1995. In his current post as principal, Mr. Richards receives $106,043 per year. In his new position he will earn $114,014 per year.
Truancy Partners to Premiere New Film
"The Power of Choice," a new, 16-minute film about three students who worked to overcome obstacles to educational success, will be premiered at a special screening on Tuesday, January 29, 2002. Beginning at 3:30 p.m., theater-type refreshments will be served. At 4:00 p.m., Superintendent Deborah Flores, District Attorney Thomas W. Sneddon, Jr., Fighting Back Executive Director Penny Jenkins, and Cox Communications film producer Janette Garcia, will deliver brief remarks prior to the 4:15 p.m. screening of "The Power of Choice." The screening will take place in the Board Room, District Office, Santa Barbara School Districts, 720 Santa Barbara Street.
"The Power of Choice" is being presented by the Santa Barbara School Districts, District Attorney’s Truancy Intervention and Parent Accountability Program, Fighting Back, and Cox Communications. The film focuses on the inner conflicts and decision-making process of three local high school students who have struggled with attendance issues at school.
The idea for this film was conceived by the District Attorney’s Office, based on a belief that a peer-to-peer message could inspire students to improve their school attendance patterns. With that objective, the District Attorney’s Office and Fighting Back sought funding to provide a vehicle for the students’ voices. Generous support from Cox Communications, the Hutton Foundation, and the Santa Barbara Foundation, enabled the film’s organizers to turn the idea into a reality. The next challenge was to identify students willing to tell their stories. A search was conducted throughout the Santa Barbara School Districts and other county schools for students who had made turnarounds in their attendance after intervention by the District Attorney’s Truancy Intervention and Parent Accountability Program. Cecilia, Leonard, and Jessica, the film’s central personalities, along with other students who served as film extras, will attend the film screening.
"The Power of Choice" will be available for use as part of the truancy program’s after school meetings (the second of six truancy program steps). Groups of students who have accumulated 24 unexcused class absences are invited to attend, along with their parents. They are an early intervention effort to stop truancy before it becomes a serious problem. In these educational meetings, students and parents are informed of the consequences of continued truancies as well as the availability of community resources (e.g., tutoring, counseling, mental health, probation, public health, law enforcement, Fighting Back and other agencies that serve children and their families). The families are encouraged to address the truancy problem immediately and avoid the more serious and individualized intervention efforts.
In addition to participating in the truancy program, the Santa Barbara High School District is using several strategies to engage young learners and reduce the number of unexcused absences, such as:
- the addition of a truancy outreach coordinator, Mirna Ramos, who is responsible for assisting identified at-risk students at Santa Barbara High School (the site of a new pilot program to improve student attendance);
- "At School, On Time, Ready To Learn!" campaign to increase student and parent awareness of attendance/tardy/truancy policies;
- a varied curriculum that support high academic standards for all students;
- targeted programs that support developmental reading and math;
- counseling services;
- heightened school staff awareness about positive attendance.
Since 1997, as the result of these strategies, the numbers of students with unexcused absence has decreased throughout the secondary district, which speaks well of the partnerships between the school, family, and local agencies.
We thank Cox Communication for generously providing the necessary technical equipment for the January 29, 2002 film screening.
State Releases 2001 Base APIs, Growth Targets, and School Rankings
This morning, the California Department of Education (CDE) released the 2001 Base Academic Performance Index (API) for public schools throughout the state. The Santa Barbara Elementary and High School Districts’ information for the year 2001 is included in the following table. The 2001 API is determined by the annual Stanford 9 test and California Standards Test scores. The English-language arts score of the California Standards Test accounts for 36% of the elementary and junior high school APIs and 24% of the high school API.
Established in 1999, as part of the Public Schools Accountability Act, the API is a system of measuring each school’s academic performance and progress in reaching established goals. It is a numeric index or scale that ranges from a low of 200 to a high of 1,000. The California Department of Education determined that 800 is the API score that schools should meet. Schools that reach their annual targets may be eligible for monetary or other types of awards from the CDE. Schools that do not meet the annual target established by the CDE will be eligible for interventions or subject to sanctions.
The three main components illustrated in the following table are the API score, the statewide rank, and the similar schools rank.
| Schools | 2001 API (Base) |
2001 Statewide Rank |
2001 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adams Elementary | 707 | 6 | 10 |
| Cleveland Elementary | 601 | 3 | 9 |
| Franklin Elementary | 592 | 3 | 8 |
| Harding Elementary | 635 | 4 | 9 |
| McKinley Elementary | 560 | 2 | 7 |
| Monroe Elementary | 776 | 8 | 10 |
| Open Alternative Elementary | 742 | 7 | 1 |
| Peabody Charter | 747 | 7 | 8 |
| Roosevelt Elementary | 764 | 8 | 9 |
| Santa Barbara Charter | |||
| Santa Barbara Community Academy | 696* | 6* | N/A |
| Washington Elementary | 792 | 8 | 10 |
| Goleta Valley Junior High | 745 | 8 | 8 |
| La Colina Junior High | 778 | 9 | 6 |
| La Cumbre Middle | 649 | 5 | 10 |
| Santa Barbara Junior High | 680 | 6 | 8 |
| Dos Pueblos High | 754 | 9 | 10 |
| San Marcos High | 718 | 8 | 10 |
| Santa Barbara High | 653 | 6 | 10 |
| * This API is calculated for a small school, defined as having between 11 and 99 valid Standardized Testing and Reporting (STAR) test scores. APIs based on small numbers of students are less reliable and therefore should be carefully interpreted. Similar schools ranks are not calculated for small schools. | |||
The similar schools rank compares the school performance to other schools with similar student populations including the percent of students who are socioeconomically disadvantaged and the percent of students who are English language learners. In the Santa Barbara School Districts:
- all but one of the Districts’ schools (16 out of 17, or 94% of the schools) were ranked above the average, with similar schools ranks of 6-10;
- 82% of the schools achieved similar schools ranks of 8, 9 or 10;
- 59% of the schools were ranked at the highest levels (ranks 9 or 10).
The statewide rank compares the school performance to all other schools statewide. In the Santa Barbara School Districts:
- 72% of the Districts’ schools (13 out of 18) were ranked above the state average, with ranks of 6-10;
- 39% of the schools achieved state-wide ranks of 8, 9, or 10.
When compared to similar schools or statewide API ranks from the previous year, 2000, seven of the 2001 ranks were higher while four were lower.
"As our Districts continue to focus on improving student achievement, the API helps us monitor our own progress and enables each of our schools to see how they are doing when compared against schools with similar demographics," stated Dr. Deborah Flores. She continued, "At the elementary level, the API indicates that our students are benefiting from numerous reforms that were put in place in January 1998. As we had anticipated, student scores have steadily moved upward. Initiated at the elementary school level, the reforms include: phonics-based reading programs; comprehensive staff development for teachers; increased language arts instructional time; trained Packard reading coaches providing support to elementary teachers in grades K-2; English-only program in grades K-6 with strong Spanish support; an intensive summer school program for students in need; a variety of state-, District- and Gevirtz Research Center-funded afterschool homework and tutorial programs. Additionally, state-initiated class-size reduction, standards-based instruction, and a system of accountability have complemented our own District reforms."
Recently, the District initiated reforms that have been implemented at the middle, junior, and high school levels. Dr. Flores noted, "During the past year, we have implemented several reforms that are making a difference at the secondary level: implementation of the California content standards; corrective reading in grades 7-10 (and grade 6 at La Cumbre Middle School); increased language arts instructional time for our lowest performing students; developmental math in grades 7-9 (and grade 6 at La Cumbre Middle School); lower class size (20:1) in developmental reading (grades 7-10); algebra for 8th graders; REACH program for underrepresented students, helping them improve their academic skills; and comprehensive staff development for teachers."
The Santa Barbara School Districts are committed to addressing the learning needs of all students. The API is an indication of how the changes in the Districts’ delivery of education are benefiting students.
Congresswoman Capps to Visit SBJHS
The U.S. Constitution will be the topic of discussion on Monday, January 14, 2002, when Congresswoman Lois Capps addresses approximately 75 8th-grade students at Santa Barbara Junior High School. Congresswoman Capps will attend a gathering of three history classes during first period, beginning at 8:30 a.m.
Principal Gerrie Fausett and teachers Leo Borden, Kareem Battle, and Luke Ohrn organized the 45-minute classroom visit.
Santa Barbara Junior High School is located at 721 East Cota Street, Santa Barbara, CA, 93103.
Channel 18 To Air "Plans For Improving Student Achievement"
On the following dates and times, Channel 18 will broadcast the principals’ "Plans For Improving Student Achievement," presented before the Board of Education:
Elementary District/Wednesday, January 23, 2002, starting at 9:00 p.m.
Approximate running time: 4 hours 15 minutes.
Presentation order: Open Alternative, Roosevelt, Peabody, Washington, Monroe, Harding, Cleveland, Franklin.
Adams Elementary and the Santa Barbara Community Academy are not included in the January 23 broadcast because those two schools were unable to make their presentations last November. The Adams and SBCA presentations to the Board were rescheduled for January 9 (Adams) and January 23 (SBCA). Thus, those two presentations can be viewed on Channel 18 as part of the regularly scheduled Board meetings. The January 9 Board meeting (which includes the Adams presentation) will be televised on Channel 18, beginning at 5:00 p.m., on Saturday, January 12. The January 23 Board meeting (which includes the SBCA presentation) will be televised on Saturday, January 26, beginning at 5:00 p.m.
Secondary District/Thursday, January 24, 2002, starting at 8:00 p.m.
Approximate running time: 5 hours 15 minutes.
Presentation order: La Colina Junior High, Goleta Valley Junior High, La Cumbre Middle, Santa Barbara Junior High,
La Cuesta, Dos Pueblos High, Santa Barbara High, San Marcos High.
Academic Performance Index Score Update
The Academic Performance Index (API) 2000-2001 has been updated by the state. API scores were released last October but some schools did not have complete information. The following table of District schools now includes Cleveland, OAS, Santa Barbara Community Academy, Goleta Valley Junior High, and La Colina Junior High. The Districts’ API summary: 82% of our elementary schools met their API targets; 57% of our secondary schools met their API targets.
| STAR 2001 Percent Tested | 2001 API | 2000 API (Base) | 2000 to 2001 Growth | Met 2001 Growth Target Schoolwide |
Awards Eligible | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adams | 99 | 713 | 692 | 21 | Yes | Yes |
| Cesar Chavez | ||||||
| Cleveland | 99 | 604 | 551 | 53 | Yes | Yes |
| Franklin | 100 | 587 | 550 | 37 | Yes | Yes |
| Harding | 99 | 643 | 646 | -3 | No | No |
| McKinley | 99 | 565 | 515 | 50 | Yes | Yes |
| Monroe | 100 | 792 | 765 | 27 | Yes | Yes |
| OAS | 100 | 748 | 728B | 20 | Yes | Yes |
| Peabody Charter | 98 | 749 | 690 | 59 | Yes | Yes |
| Roosevelt | 99 | 773 | 748 | 25 | Yes | No |
| SB Charter | ||||||
| SBCA | 100 | 701* | 702* | -1 | No | No |
| Washington | 100 | 807 | 766 | 41 | Yes | Yes |
| Goleta Valley JH | 99 | 755 | 753 | 2 | Yes | Yes |
| La Colina JHS | 99 | 779 | 794 | -15 | No | No |
| La Cumbre MS | 100 | 651 | 629 | 22 | Yes | Yes |
| Santa Barbara JH | 100 | 683 | 666 | 17 | Yes | Yes |
| Dos Pueblos HS | 99 | 766 | 751 | 15 | Yes | No |
| San Marcos HS | 99 | 730 | 711 | 19 | Yes | No |
| Santa Barbara HS | 96 | 650 | 660 | -10 | No | No |
| "*" means this API is calculated for a small school, defined as having between 11 and 99 valid Stanford 9 test scores. APIs based on small numbers of students are less reliable and therefore should be interpreted with caution."B" means a 2000 API was not valid for this school. The API listed is the 1999 API (Base). Therefore, growth is measured over two years, 1999 to 2001. A two-year target (1999-2001), double the 1999-2000 growth target, is reported under the heading "2000-2001 Growth Target," and two-year growth (1999-2001) is reported under the heading "20000-2001 Growth." | ||||||
Academic Performance Index Base Rank to be Released
In mid-January, the California Department of Education will release the 2001 Academic Performance Index (API) Base, including state ranks, similar schools ranks, and growth targets. For the first time, the 2001 API Base will incorporate results from the California Standards Test in English/Language Arts.
New or Revised Board Policies and Administrative Regulations
Periodically, new Board policies (BP) and/or administrative regulations (AR) are adopted and existing policies are revised. Following is a list of recent new or updated policies:
AR 1330 – Use of School Facilities;
AR 5145.3(a) - Discrimination/Harassment Complaint Procedure;
AR 6154(a) - Homework/Make-up Work;
AR 6162.5 - Student Assessment;
BP 1312.3 - Uniform Complaint Procedures;
BP 1330 - Community Use of School Facilities;
BP 3511 - Water and Energy Conservation;
BP 5145.3 - Nondiscrimination/Harassment Policy;
BP 5145.7 - Sexual Harassment Policy;
BP 6162.5 - Animals at School Policy.
For copies of these new or revised policies, contact Barbara Keyani, Coordinator of Special Projects and Communication, (805) 963-4338, extension 206.
Discrimination/Harassment Complaint Procedure
With the assistance of the U.S. Department of Education – Office of Civil Rights, the Santa Barbara School Districts have revised their discrimination/harassment complaint procedure (Administrative Regulation 5145.3a). The procedure will soon be posted in/near the principal’s office and copies are available from the principal’s secretary at every District elementary and secondary school, or from Barbara Keyani, Coordinator of Special Projects and Communication, (805) 963-4338, extension 206.
Character Counts!
Character development is a valued part of the delivery of education in the Santa Barbara School Districts. Over the years, some District schools have created their own individual programs. During the 2000-2001 school year, Adams Elementary, using funds provided by the Rotary Club of Santa Barbara, piloted a particularly effective character education program called Character Counts! It is a successful model and the District is exploring the possibility of implementing this program in all elementary and secondary schools.
Developed by the Josephson Institute of Ethics, Character Counts! is designed to imbue youth of all ages with consensus ethical values represented by six pillars of character:
- Trustworthiness. Be honest. Don’t deceive, cheat or steal. Be reliable, do what you say you’ll do. Have the courage to do the right thing. Build a good reputation. Be loyal, stand by your family, friends, and country.
- Respect. Treat others with respect; follow the Golden Rule. Be tolerant of differences. Use good manners, not bad language. Be considerate of the feelings of others. Don’t threaten, hit, or hurt anyone. Deal peacefully with anger, insults, and disagreements.
- Responsibility. Do what you are supposed to do. Persevere: keep on trying. Always do your best. Use self-control. Be self-disciplined. Think before you act, consider the consequences. Be accountable for your choices.
- Fairness. Play by the rules. Take turns and share. Be open-minded; listen to others. Don’t take advantage of others. Don’t blame others carelessly.
- Caring. Be kind. Be compassionate and show you care. Express gratitude. Forgive others. Help people in need.
- Citizenship. Do your share to make your school and community better. Cooperate. Stay informed; vote. Be a good neighbor. Obey laws and rules. Respect authority. Protect the environment.
The six pillars, which complement the existing safe schools and diversity programs, are applicable to children of all ages.
In February, a team of 40 San Marcos High coaches, athletic administrators, program directors, and school administrators will participate in a two-day Pursuing Victory With Honor training, part of the Character Counts! program. Pursuing Victory With Honor, a three-year-old training program, originated from discussions between Michael Josephson and John Wooden, the legendary coach. The program is comprehensive and covers nearly every aspect of coaching and athletics. The training is used in over 400 communities, and at all high schools in three states. Coach/administrator teams from Dos Pueblos High and Santa Barbara High will participate in the training later in the year.
District Office Relocation
The Santa Barbara School Districts’ Administration Center and the Santa Barbara Community Academy share space at 720 Santa Barbara Street. By July 2003, the Santa Barbara Community Academy will need additional classrooms. The Academy is expected to one day house 400-500 students. Thus, it will be necessary to move the District Office. While a location has yet to be determined, the Board is exploring various options.
Jackie Lapkin Receives Rotary Club of Santa Barbara Service Award
Jackie Lapkin, a teacher at Adams Elementary School, was selected as the 2001-2002 elementary school recipient of the Santa Barbara Rotary Club’s award "for outstanding and special service" to her school and its students. Referred to as the Service Above Self Award, the recognition included an acknowledgment plaque and a $750 cash award.