Accountability

School Accountability

We are currently in between accountability systems in California education. There is a lot of talk about the possibilities of the new accountability system. I sit here at a state meeting on accountability and I listen to expert after expert explain the process taken to eventually offer districts/schools the answer. There isn't much direction or "for sure" information (but it does appear that they are working hard and are truly attempting to create a system that is worthwhile). What we "know" is that the new system will be more complex than in the past. Currently I can only offer the following concrete information; the following will be considered as the state explores a new system:

• Capacity building
• Appropriate technical assistance
• Appropriate support to increase effectiveness in schools

Essential Question(s):

• What could, or should, the new school accountability system include?
• Why is a new accountability system needed?
• How could a new accountability system move our California schools forward?

I would enjoy hearing your opinion regarding the above questions. :)

English Learners in California

English Learners

One of the smallest departments at the California Department of Education (CDE) is the English Learner Division even though a substantial number of areas in California have over 10,000 English learning students within their schools. Happy to hear that CDE plans to expand this division of the office to provide more focus on the learning of English Learners in California schools.

I wonder....
What are we doing in counties, school districts, and schools to improve the achievement of students who are not yet English proficient? Do we have a "teacher knowledge" problem regarding English Language Development (ELD)? Do we have a "systems" problem with schools full of teachers who have students in rows where the teacher lectures and students listen?  Are all students given opportunities to learning language and practice language throughout the school day?

Essential Question: What can we do to ensure the progression of English learning students toward language proficiency?