MODEL CONTINUATION HIGH SCHOOL RECOGNITION PROGRAM
2015–16 Model Continuation High School Application
California Department of Education
Educational Options, Student Support, and American Indian Education Office
1430 N Street, Suite 6408, Sacramento, CA 95814-5901
TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION
Timeline 1
SCHOOL ELIGIBILTY CRITERIA 2
APPLICATION PREPARATION
Application Assembly 2
Application Evaluation Process 3
Recommendations and Final Decisions 4
Obligations of Model Continuation High Schools 4
Annual Assurances of Services 5
Intent to Submit 5
Annual Assurance of Services Form 6
Intent to Submit Form 7
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS
Section 1: Application Cover Sheet 8
Section 2: School Information Sheet 8
Section 3: Glossary 8
Section 4: Narrative Statements 8
School Profile 9
School Management 9
The Way Credits Are Earned 9
Staff Statement 9
Student Statement 9
Parent/Guardian/Caregiver Statement 10
Community Member Statement 10
Section 5: Program Effectiveness Statements 10
School Evaluation of Effectiveness 10
Student Assessment Results 10
Use of Additional Data 11
How Use of Data is Noteworthy 11
Section 6: Quality Indicators (Self-Evaluation) 11
Section 7: Exemplary Components Checklist 12
Schedule 8: Master Schedule 12
Section 9: Western Association of Schools and Colleges Visiting Committee
Report 12
Section 10: Western Association of Schools and Colleges Award Letter 12
Section 11: Portfolio Criteria and Individual Learning Plans (Optional) 12
Section 12: Video Overview of Your School (Optional) 12
Certification Form 13
Eligibility Checklist 13
Reference Materials List 14
Application Review and Feedback Form 15
Site Visit Recommendation Form
Signature Page 17
Report Pages 18
Expectations for Site Visits 22
Common Problems with Site Visits 23
Sample Site Visit Agenda 24
List of 2015 Model Continuation High Schools 25
Application Forms 30
Application Cover Sheet 31
School Information Sheet 32
Certification 34
Eligibility Checklist 35
Glossary 36
NARRATIVE STATEMENTS
School Profile 37
School Management 38
The Way Credits Are Earned 39
PROGRAM EFFECTIVENESS STATEMENTS
School Evaluation of Effectiveness 40
Student Assessment Results 41
Use of Additional Data 42
How Use of Data is Noteworthy 43
QUALITY INDICATORS (SELF-EVALUATION)
School Management 44
Curriculum 46
Instructional Strategies 47
Educational Climate 48
Guidance and Counseling 49
Exemplary Components Checklist 51
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May 14, 2015
Dear Continuation Education High School Principal:
MODEL CONTINUATION HIGH SCHOOL RECOGNITION PROGRAM
I invite you to participate in the Model Continuation High School Recognition Program sponsored by the California Department of Education (CDE) in cooperation with the California Continuation Education Association (CCEA).
The Model Continuation High School Recognition Program identifies and recognizes outstanding continuation high schools and creates a resource list for school visits. These model schools provide comprehensive services to at-risk youth through the use of exemplary instructional strategies, flexible scheduling, and guidance and counseling services.
The self-nomination application packet for the Model Continuation High School Recognition Program for 2015–16 is available on the CDE Model Continuation High School Recognition Program Web page at http://www.cde.ca.gov/ta/sr/mc/index.asp and on the CCEA Web site at http://www.cceanet.org. The packet includes instructions for completing the application, reference materials, and the forms to be submitted.
Please review the eligibility criteria; all eligible schools are encouraged to apply. An Intent to Submit Form is due to the CDE by 4 p.m. on June 30, 2015. Successful applicants will be identified through an application evaluation and site visit process.
As in previous years, we will recognize and present awards to successful Model Continuation High School Recognition Program applicants at the annual CCEA State Conference.
If you have any questions regarding this subject, please contact Jacie Ragland, Education Programs Consultant, Educational Options, Student Support, and American Indian Education Office, by phone at 916-323-2568 or by e-mail at ; or contact Vic Whitaker, Model Schools Liaison, California Continuation Education Association, by phone at 619-280-8485 or by e-mail at .
Sincerely,
[ORIGINAL SIGNED BY]
William J. Ellerbee Jr., Deputy Superintendent
Student Support and Special Services Branch
WE:jr
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2015–16 MODEL CONTINUATION HIGH SCHOOL APPLICATION
INTRODUCTION
The Model Continuation High School Recognition Program identifies and recognizes outstanding programs and creates a resource list of quality programs for school visitations. These schools provide comprehensive services to at-risk youth through the use of exemplary instructional strategies, flexible scheduling, and guidance and counseling services.
The Model Continuation High School Application packet includes instructions for completing the application, reference materials, and the forms to be submitted.
To be considered for the Model Continuation High School Recognition Program, a school must:
- Meet the School Eligibility Criteria. (See page 2.)
- Submit an Intent to Submit Form to the California Department of Education (CDE) by 4 p.m. on June 30, 2015. (See page 7.)
- Submit one original and two copies of the completed application by 4 p.m. on September 3, 2015, to the following address:
Vic Whitaker, Model Schools Liaison
California Continuation Education Association
4648 Natalie Drive
San Diego, CA 92115
Attention: Model Continuation High School Recognition Program
Note: Faxed copies will not be accepted. The CDE encourages each applicant to submit the application using Certified Mail or Return Receipt Requested, so that the applicant will have proof of receipt of the application.
Timeline
May 14, 2015 Applications available to the field
June 30, 2015 Intent to Submit Form due
September 3, 2015 Applications due
September 19, 2015 Northern Applications reviewed and rated
September 25–26, 2015 Southern Applications reviewed and rated
September 28, 2015–January 8, 2016 Site validation visits
February 3, 2016 Schools notified
April/May 2016 Awards ceremony
Note: Applications received after 4 p.m. on September 3, 2015, will be disqualified.
SCHOOL ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
Schools that meet the following eligibility criteria are invited to apply:
- The school’s average daily attendance (ADA) for Previous Year, Second Principal Apportionment (P2) is at least 75 percent.
- The school is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC).
- The school’s WASC Visiting Committee Report verifies that the school has completed a full self-study, which typically involves a three and one-half day visit.
APPLICATION PREPARATION
The application packet is available on the CDE Model Continuation High School Recognition Program Web page at http://www.cde.ca.gov/ta/sr/mc/index.asp and on the California Continuation Education Association (CCEA) Web site at http://www.cceanet.org. The application forms can be completed in Microsoft Word and printed. The forms are ordered according to the list in the Application Assembly Section.
- Review the Application Instructions.
- Complete the Application Forms.
- Do not complete the sample Application Review and Feedback Form or the Site Visit Recommendation Form. They are provided for your information only and will be completed by the review committee during the application review process. The Expectations for Site Visits, Common Problems with Site Visits, and the List of 2015 Model Continuation High Schools provide additional information. The applicant school is encouraged to visit a Model Continuation High School to observe exemplary practices.
- Review the Application Evaluation Process.
Application Assembly
The completed application is to be stapled or clipped in the upper left-hand corner. Pages are to be single-sided. Do not submit applications in binders, folders, notebooks, spiral bindings, or other covers.
Submit one original and two copies of the application with documents in the following order:
1. Application Cover Sheet
2. School Information Sheet
3. Certification
4. Eligibility Checklist
5. Glossary
6. Narrative Statements (7 pages)
7. Program Effectiveness Statements (4 pages)
8. Quality Indicators (Self-Evaluation)
9. Exemplary Components Checklist
10. Master Schedule
11. WASC Award Letter
12. Portfolio Criteria and Individual Learning Plans (Optional)
13. Video Overview of Your School (Optional)
Application Evaluation Process
Step 1: Application Screening. Each application will be screened to determine if it meets the minimum eligibility criteria as described on the Eligibility Checklist. Applications that do not meet the minimum eligibility criteria will be disqualified.
Step 2: Application Review. Narrative Statements and Program Effectiveness Statements will be rated on the following three-point scoring rubric:
Strong Case / 3 points / All requested components are addressed, includes evidence and descriptions of exemplary practicesGood Case / 2 points / Most requested components are addressed, but lacks evidence and descriptions of exemplary practices
Fair Case / 1 point / Few components are addressed, lacks evidence and descriptions of exemplary practices
Scores will be recorded on the Application Review and Feedback Form. It is possible to receive a total score of 33 points—a maximum of 21 points for the narrative statements plus 12 points for the program effectiveness statements. Applications that receive a total score of 25 points or more will qualify for a site validation visit. Applications that receive less than 25 points will be disqualified.
The WASC Award Letter will be reviewed to verify that the applicant school is currently accredited.
Step 3: Site Validation Visit. A review team will conduct a site validation visit to applicant schools receiving a total score of 25 points or more. The purpose of the visit is to evaluate evidence that establishes the school as a Model Continuation High School.
During the site visit, the review team will interview the site administrator, teachers, students, guidance and support staff, stakeholders, and others familiar with the school. The review team may select teachers and students at random for brief interviews on the day of the visit. They will ask the applicant school to present evidence that validates the implementation of each Quality Indicator. Based on the Site Validation Visit, the review team may recommend the applicant school for Model Continuation High School status to the CDE, where a final determination will be made. The review team must share their recommendation with the site administrator prior to the end of the site visit.
Step 4: Audit Report Review. CDE staff will review the applicant school’s audit report provided to the CDE’s School Fiscal Services Division. The purpose of the review is to determine if any of the applicant’s audit findings are for continuation education attendance. CDE staff will also review the audit reports to establish if there are any internal control findings or any other notes that may raise doubt as to the quality of the applicant’s program.
Recommendations and Final Decisions
The application and site review teams make recommendations to the CDE Educational Options, Student Support, and American Indian Education Office (EOSSAIEO). Final determinations are made by the EOSSAIEO Administrator. Designation is for a period of three years—from April of the first year to March of the third year.
Obligations of Model Continuation High Schools
The Model Continuation High School Recognition Program is a partnership between the CDE and the CCEA. The CCEA expends a significant amount of funding each year for costs associated with the evaluation of applications and the completion of site visits to applicant schools. The CCEA will ask each school recommended for designation as a Model Continuation High School for reimbursement for actual costs incurred in evaluating the application and completing the site visit. It is anticipated that this amount would not exceed $500.
Model Continuation High Schools provide examples of promising practices in the field. Schools that are selected as Model Continuation High Schools will be asked to offer site visits, sample materials, telephone consultation, and training and/or virtual Web site links, if requested by schools and districts in need of technical assistance. Staff from schools selected as Model Continuation High Schools will be asked to participate in Model Continuation High School Application reviews in the future, including application rating and site visits to applicant schools.
Annual Assurance of Services
Schools selected as Model Continuation High Schools agree to submit an Annual Assurance of Services Form by June 30 for each of the second and third years of designation. The Annual Assurance of Services Form certifies that the school meets or exceeds the Model Continuation High School Recognition Program standards as described in the 2015–16 application.
If the applicant school is selected as a Model Continuation High School in 2015, retain a copy of the form for your records. Complete the form and submit it on the following dates: June 30, 2017, and June 30, 2018.
Intent to Submit
Eligible schools intending to submit an application must return a completed Intent to Submit Form. The completed and signed Intent to Submit Form should be mailed to Jacie Ragland at the address provided below and must be received by 4 p.m. on
June 30, 2015.
Jacie Ragland, Education Programs Consultant
Educational Options, Student Support, and American Indian Education Office
California Department of Education
1430 N Street, Suite 6408
Sacramento, CA 95814-5901
Annual Assurance of Services Form
For schools designated as Model Continuation High Schools in 2016
As a condition of continuing eligibility for designation by the California Department of Education as a Model Continuation High School, an Annual Assurance of Services Form must be completed and received by June 30, 2017, and June 30, 2018.
Mail completed original to: / Mail one copy to:Jacie Ragland, Education Programs Consultant
Educational Options, Student Support, and American Indian Education Office
California Department of Education
1430 N Street, Suite 6408
Sacramento, CA 95814-5901 / Vic Whitaker, Model Schools Liaison
California Continuation Education Association
4648 Natalie Drive
San Diego, CA 92115
District Name
School Name / Principal’s Name
School Address / City / Zip Code
Telephone / E-mail Address
Please check the appropriate box below to indicate whether or not any changes have occurred in the past year that could affect the status of the school as a Model Continuation High School: Yes No
If the “Yes” box is checked, please attach a statement to describe the changes. For example, describe whether the enrollment has increased or decreased. If enrollment has changed, describe how staffing has changed to maintain a low student-teacher ratio.
If the “No” box is checked, you are welcome to attach a statement describing any future developments related to student engagement and community collaboration.
It is anticipated that Model Continuation High Schools will be revisited by the Model School Evaluation Team during the three-year designation period.
CERTIFICATION