Charter Schools Office AAA Report

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2012-2013 Charter Schools Office AAA Report

Academic Achievement Analysis

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2012-2013

CHARTER SCHOOLS OFFICE

ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT

ANALYSIS

2012 MEAP Performance Rankings

Michigan’s Top 50 Charter Schools ... 2

2012 MEAP Performance Rankings

Detroit’s Top 20 Charter Schools... 3

Northwest Evaluation Association (NWEA) MAP Data... 4

Learning Initiatives...5

Photo on cover courtesy of Daymon J. Hartley.

Colleagues,

This year the Michigan State Board of Education found Grand Valley State University to be the top charter school authorizer in the state. Data shows that GVSU charter school students perform at higher proficiency levels than students in non-GVSU charter schools.

In the 2012-2013 Academic Achievement Analysis (AAA) report, we present the academic performance of our entire portfolio of schools, bringing light to the high level of success found in our schools.

As an authorizer, we are often evaluated by the academic performance of the schools within our portfolio. Subsequently, we view our schools as our partners in education and attempt to assist them in the teaching and learning process. We believe this approach is vital and work with charter school board members, administrators, and teachers to ensure students are provided with exceptional opportunities for educational maturation.

We offer professional development workshops that focus on student learning in areas of differentiated instruction, reading, formative assessment, college readiness, administrative, technological learning instruction, and the use of data to drive instruction. Additionally, GVSU funds the NWEA Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) test to annually assess a student’s fall-to-spring academic

growth. We also fund the Curriculum Crafter®_{program, which aligns}

a school curriculum with the Michigan Performance Standards.

We pay the annual fee should a school decide to engage in the North Central Association School Accreditation process, and we offer a 50 percent tuition reimbursement to our member schools’ faculty willing to pursue a graduate study program in GVSU’s College of Education.

Grand Valley also has worked to solidify its presence in Detroit. This spring marked the opening of the GVSU Detroit Center, located in downtown Detroit. The building will allow GVSU to work in close proximity with its 31 charter schools on the East side of the state, strengthening the partnerships that have already been developed. Furthermore, it will provide professional development sessions and graduate courses to the 900 Detroit-area charter school teachers. We feel strongly about such partnerships and the opportunities we have created to enhance student learning. The embedded programs offered by the Grand Valley staff have tremendously enriched those partnerships. Staff members assist teachers with reading development, classroom management, data-driven instruction, and instructional technology training. We strive to continue these programs, which have been instrumental to the improved student performance in our schools and the catalyst to our state-wide growth and success.

Sincerely,

Timothy H. Wood, Ph.D.

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10 20 30 40 50

2012 MEAP PERFORMANCE RANKINGS

Michigan’s Top 50 Charter Schools

Rank School Name % Proficient Authorizer

1 Canton Charter Academy 84.8% Central Michigan University 2 Achieve Charter Academy 79.7% Grand Valley State University 3 South Arbor Charter Academy 79.4% Central Michigan University 4 Cross Creek Charter Academy 76.0% Central Michigan University 5 Plymouth Scholars Charter Academy 73.6% Bay Mills Community College

6 Holly Academy 73.5% Central Michigan University

7 South Canton Scholars Charter Academy 73.5% Grand Valley State University 8 Black River Public School 73.0% Grand Valley State University 9 Chandler Woods Charter Academy 73.0% Grand Valley State University Eagle Crest Charter Academy 72.5% Central Michigan University 11 Mt. Clemens Montessori Academy 70.9% Bay Mills Community College 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 21 22

West MI Academy of Arts and Academics Vanguard Charter Academy

Charyl Stockwell Academy - High School

Joseph K. Lumsden Bahweting Anishnabe Academy Chatfield School

Honey Creek Community School Keystone Academy

Innocademy Oakland Academy Charyl Stockwell Academy

AGBU Alex-Marie Manoogian School

70.1% 69.5% 69.0% 68.2% 68.0% 67.6% 66.1% 65.4% 64.6% 63.2% 63.0%

Grand Valley State University Grand Valley State University Central Michigan University Northern Michigan University Saginaw Valley State University Washtenaw ISD

Bay Mills Community College Lake Superior State University Grand Valley State University Central Michigan University Central Michigan University 23

24 25 26 27

Walker Charter Academy Noor International Academy

Midland Academy of Advanced and Creative Studies West MI Academy of Environmental Science Excel Charter Academy

62.4% 62.2% 62.1% 62.1% 62.0%

Grand Valley State University Central Michigan University Central Michigan University Central Michigan University Grand Valley State University 28

29 31

Island City Academy

Martin Luther King, Jr. Education Center Academy Grand Traverse Academy

Vanderbilt Charter Academy

61.5% 60.7% 60.1% 59.5%

Central Michigan University Detroit City School District Lake Superior State University Grand Valley State University 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 Triumph Academy Hamtramck Academy Woodland School Merritt Academy

Paramount Charter Academy Creative Montessori Academy Knapp Charter Academy Concord Academy-Petoskey Marshall Academy 59.2% 59.0% 58.8% 58.8% 58.7% 58.4% 58.4% 57.4% 57.3%

Bay Mills Community College Bay Mills Community College Saginaw Valley State University Saginaw Valley State University Bay Mills Community College Wayne RESA

Grand Valley State University Lake Superior State University Ferris State University 41 Byron Center Charter School 57.0% Grand Valley State University

42 Huron Academy 56.4% Ferris State University

43 Four Corners Montessori Academy 55.8% Oakland University

44 American Montessori Academy Upper Elementary 55.7% Bay Mills Community College 45 Grand Rapids Child Discovery Center 55.2% Grand Rapids Public Schools 46 Ann Arbor Learning Community 55.1% Eastern Michigan University 47 The Greenspire School 55.0% Traverse City Area Public Schools 48 East Arbor Charter Academy 54.7% Grand Valley State University 49 Windemere Park Charter Academy 54.6% Grand Valley State University Detroit Merit Charter Academy 54.4% Grand Valley State University

Top charter schools by authorizer:

“At Achieve Academy, we consistently evaluate and adjust our instructional practice to meet

GVSU 15 (30%) SVSU 3 (6%) NMU 1 (2%)

the needs of our students. We believe through our focus on results, using our data to drive

instruction, and continually defining what high quality teacher and learning means to us,

our students succeed. We work collaboratively to create an environment that our students,

staff and families can be proud to be a part of.”

Notes:

CMU 12 BMCC 7 LSSU 3 (24%) (14%) (6%) FSU DPS EMU GRPS 2 1 1 1 (4%) (2%) (2%) (2%) OU 1 TCAPS 1 WISD 1 WRESA 1 (2%) (2%) (2%) (2%)

JENNIFER CONLEY 1. Tests weighted by N valid tests 2. MEAP math and reading only

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2012 MEAP PERFORMANCE RANKINGS

Detroit’s Top 20 Charter Schools

Eight of the top 20 charter schools in Detroit are authorized by Grand Valley State University, the most of any authorizer in the state.

Rank School Name % Proficient Authorizer

1 Martin Luther King, Jr. Education Center Academy 60.7% Detroit City School District 2 Detroit Merit Charter Academy 54.4% Grand Valley State University 3 Detroit Edison Public School Academy 54.1% Oakland University

4 Ross-Hill Academy-Elementary 54.0% Detroit City School District 5 University Preparatory Science and Math (PSAD) Middle 53.7% Grand Valley State University 6 University Preparatory Academy (PSAD) Elementary - Mark Murray 47.1% Grand Valley State University 7 Detroit Service Learning Academy 41.5% Lake Superior State University 8 Oakland International Academy - Elementary 41.4% Saginaw Valley State University 9 Detroit Premier Academy 38.1% Grand Valley State University 10 Madison-Carver Academy 37.1% Grand Valley State University 11 Oakland International Academy - Intermediate 37.1% Saginaw Valley State University 12 University Preparatory Academy (PSAD) - Middle 36.9% Grand Valley State University

13 Dove Academy of Detroit 35.7% Oakland University

14 Nataki Talibah Schoolhouse of Detroit 34.0% Central Michigan University

15 Bridge Academy West 33.3% Ferris State University

16 University Preparatory Academy (PSAD) - Elementary - Ellen Thompson 32.6% Grand Valley State University 17 Warrendale Charter Academy 32.1% Grand Valley State University 18 Hope of Detroit Academy 32.0% Ferris State University 19 Flagship Charter Academy 32.0% Central Michigan University 20 George Crockett Academy 32.0% Ferris State University

Top charter schools by authorizer: Notes:

GVSU 8 (40%) DPS 2 (10%) LSSU 1 (5%) 1. Tests weighted by N valid tests FSU 3 (15%) OU 2 (10%) 2. MEAP math and reading only

CMU 2 (10%) SVSU 2 (10%) 3. MDE Public MEAP Results downloaded 8/8/2013

“Grand valley charter schools are

neighborhood partners. Their results

are built on foundations developed by a

deep understanding of community need.

From application to charter renewal,

Grand valley’s Detroit-area charter

schools exemplify what it means to be

neighborhood schools.”

ROB KIMBALL

SENIoR DIRECToR oF oPERATIoNS AND PoLICy, GvSu ChARTER SChooLS oFFICE

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–

MEASuRING PERFORMANCE: GROwTH DATA

GVSU charter schools students in grades 2-8 use the Northwest Evaluation Association’s computer adaptive Measure of Academic Progress (NWEA MAP) to measure instructional growth in reading, language usage, and math. When used multiple times each school year, the test provides a remarkably accurate measure of student growth relative to the nearly 7 million students across the nation who also take this innovative test. The graph below displays the median gain percentile rank for all GVSU charter schools.

“NWEA MAP provides teachers an opportunity to individualize “I feel that NWEA MAP does a great job pinpointing the areas

instruction offering academic support and challenging of concern with each and every student. I find the information

enrichment opportunities to all students.” useful when designing small group lessons.”

Amanda Dickens, Principal, Forest Academy – Laura Becklar, 3rd Grade Teacher, Oakland Academy

2012-2013 Fall-to-Spring NwEA MAP Median Gains Percentile for GVSu Portfolio of Schools

Grade

_percentile

Percentile 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 99

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LEARNING INITIATIVES

Evidence Based Literacy Instruction (EBLI): Developing Skilled Readers

Wendy Miller and Jill Weber, both reading intervention specialists, are also official trainers of Evidence-Based Literacy Instruction (EBLI), a highly effective model of reading instruction that has shown to increase reading proficiency, fluency, and comprehension. In the 2013-14 school year, they will train 80 GVSU teachers in 21 schools EBLI methods that focus on the context of words and breaking each word down to its phonetic make-up. The goal is to teach students the process of segmenting, blending, and manipulating the English language, allowing them to use these strategies independently on their way to becoming fluent, skilled readers and writers.

wendy Miller Jill weber _{Jill and Wendy also provide many workshops and in-school trainings in Guided Reading, DIBELS}

Next, Common Core Resources, Five Essential Components of Reading, RtI, and Book Studies.

E-learning in the Classroom: Engaging Students Through Technology

Technology advancement creates opportunities for classroom teachers to enhance instruction through various e-learning tools. We live in an age of digital learning. Students are engaged in technology use at a much younger age and have grown more comfortable pursuing interests, collecting information, and communicating through easily accessible Web-based systems. Dan Warren assists teachers with integrating e-learning in their classrooms by providing teachers with easy to implement and safe to use Web-based learning opportunities that complement classroom instruction.

Dan brings 38 years of education experience to the GVSU Charter Schools Office. He served as a school administrator for 25 years — most recently as a middle school principal for Rockford Public Schools. Dan also has several years experience serving on state committees associated with school improvement, accreditation, and recognition.

Classroom Management Best Practices: Student Engagement Clinical Observations

Challenging students can often dismiss their responsibility as learners and become disengaged in the classroom. Dan Matthews has 38 years of classroom management and behavioral management experience and offers student engagement clinical observations to all of GVSU’s charter schools. Dan works with instructors to investigate teaching characteristics that improve levels of student engagement with entire classrooms as well as individual students. Dan’s observations focus on six specific classroom aspects: student engagement, classroom dialogue, activity sampling, male/female student engagement, pre-lesson student engagement, and lesson engagement. From the observations in these focus areas, he provides a reflective conversation about the instructor’s strengths and areas of improvement related to student engagement levels. Each instructor is provided an opportunity to have three clinical observation sessions during the school year. In the 2012-2013 school year, Dan observed more than 2,000 students in an active learning setting.

understanding NwEA/MAP Data Helps Drive Instruction

Assessment Specialist Lissa Brunan helps teachers and administrators understand Northwest Evaluation Association (NWEA) data and how to apply it to classroom instruction. Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) assessments adapt to individual students and identify their instructional level so teachers know what skills and concepts they are ready to learn. Lissa discusses how to use the data to focus instruction on students’ unique learning needs. She identifies valuable resources, such as DesCartes: A Continuum of Learning®_{and the Lexile}®_{Framework for Reading to increase student}

growth. She talks about how to effectively use NWEA reports such as the Teacher Report, Class by RIT Report, Student Progress Report, and the ASG Report, among others, as well as how to successfully navigate the NWEA website to locate key resources.

By modeling good teaching strategies, delivering content in manageable and logical pieces, and sharing helpful resources, Lissa creates an engaging, honest, and productive environment for those who want to utilize NWEA data.

Dan warren

Dan Matthews

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Gregory Dale, Ph.D.

Leadership Coaching

The Charter Schools Office (CSO) is inviting deans, principals, and assistant principals from GVSU-authorized charter schools to the Leadership Coaching seminar featuring keynote speaker Gregory Dale, Ph.D.

Dale is a professor of Sport Psychology and Sport Ethics at Duke University and the director of the Sport Psychology and Leadership Programs for Duke Athletics. As an expert on leadership and performance, he has written four books and the scripts for 13 videos related to the subject. Dale also has worked as a consultant for organizations and corporations around the world including The World Bank, Habitat for Humanity International, Airports Council International, Pfizer, and SKANSKA International. He has been featured on numerous radio and television programs including Good Morning America and MSNBC.

The Charter Schools Office is proud to present the Leadership Coaching seminars featuring Gregory Dale, Ph.D. The seminar will be held twice during the 2013-2014 school year: once in September and again in March.

The Learning Network Enters Fourth Year of Operation

We believe that high-quality education to students of all backgrounds starts with strong leadership in our charter schools. The Charter Schools Office introduced an effective leadership development program, the Learning Network, in the 2010-2011 school year and is continuing into the 2013-2014 school year.

To develop the Learning Network, the CSO partnered with The Education Trust, which promotes high academic achievement for all students at all levels, from prekindergarten through college. Its goal is to close the gaps in opportunity and achievement that hold young people back — especially those from low-income families and minority groups. The Learning Network program develops and supports leadership teams to improve overall achievement and to close achievement gaps through the targeted improvement of learning and teaching.

Over the past three years, leaders from each GVSU-authorized charter school have participated in a series of workshops and ongoing discussions focused on improving the practice of teaching. Under the leadership of Richard Lemons, Ph.D, the Learning Network has been instrumental in building the capacity and improving the performance of GVSU’s portfolio of charter schools.

Within the Learning Network, leaders

• developanunderstandingofeffectiveteaching;

• designstrategicschoolimprovementstrategieswiththesupportoftheircolleaguesandGrandValleystaffmembers; • networkwithpeerschoolleadershipteams;and

• collaborateonsharedoperationalissues.

The Learning Network’s precision focus on improving teaching, learning, and sustainable leadership has been praised by staff members and participants. As the program enters its fourth year of operation, the Learning Network, led by Richard Lemons, Ph.D., of LeadingEdPractice, LLC, hopes to maintain momentum and further the excellence of Grand Valley’s portfolio of charter schools.

“Improving schools is complex, challenging work that demands the best

of us as educational leaders. unfortunately, in America many principals

and teachers toil in isolation, separated from others struggling with

common problems. The purpose of the Learning Network is to create

a community of leaders across the participating schools in an effort

of providing much-needed leadership support and development — a

place where we can refine and enhance our capacity to improve schools

and classrooms in order to improve student outcomes.”

RICHARD LEMONS , PH.D.

PRINCIPAL,

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Grand Valley State University Knows Education

• Grand Valley is recognized as one of

“America’s Top Colleges” by Forbes.

• For the 17th year in a row,

Grand Valley was named one of

“America’s 100 Best College Buys”

by Institutional Research and

Evaluation, Inc.

• GVSU’s Seidman College of

Business named one of the nation’s

best business schools by

The

Princeton Review 2013.

• GVSU was awarded the gold medal

in the AASHE assessment and

rating system in 2013.

• Grand Valley State University’s

Seidman College of Business is

named one of “The Best 296

Business Schools” for 2013 by

The Princeton Review

.

• Grand Valley is a good investment

for the state. Nearly 85 percent

of recent graduates are employed

or pursuing advanced degrees;

of those working, 90 percent are

employed in Michigan.

• Grand Valley is ranked 13th among

U.S. master’s degree-granting

institutions for total number of study

abroad students, according to the

Institute of International Education

in New York. During the 2012-2013

academic year Grand Valley had

nearly 700 students study abroad.

• Grand

Valley

attracts

the

best

and

the brightest. The middle 50 percent

of Grand Valley’s Fall 2012 entering

class earned high school GPAs

ranging from 3.2 to 3.8 and ACT

scores of 21 to 26.

Charter Schools Ofﬁce

Bicycle Factory

201 Front Avenue SW

Suite 310

Grand Rapids, MI 49504

Phone: (616) 331-2240

Fax: (616) 331-2085

Website: www.gvsucso.org

Timothy H. Wood, Ph.D.

Special Assistant to the

President for Charter Schools

Printed on paper manufactured with electricity in the form of renewable energy (wind, hydro, and biogas), and includes 10% postconsumer recovered ﬁber.

Grand Valley State University is an afﬁrmative action, equal opportunity institution. It encourages diversity and provides equal opportunity in education, employment, all of its programs, and the use of its facilities. It is committed to protecting the constitutional and statutory civil rights of persons connected with the university. 9/13