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Century Community Charter School |
| Date Added: May 22, 2009 11:42:42 AM |
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| Category: Education |
| Century Community Charter School (CCCS), located in Los Angeles County in Inglewood, California. It is a school looking above and beyond what others may be focusing on in the community. As the ?Bears? (they?ve adopted the CAL colors and mascot) strive to live up to their commitment of Achievement, Academics, and Accountability they challenge students, while providing them with the tools necessary to be able to meet and often exceed their goals. Century/LIFT provides tutoring daily until 6:00 p.m. and Saturday School twice a month. Century/LIFT and Saturday School were designed to support all students, struggling as well as high achievers. Both are paid for through a state grant and are free for students. Operating on an annual budget of around $2.87 million, the school has 405 students (59% Hispanic, 40% African American, 1% Other) grades six to eight. The foundation of CCCS, which was established in 2004, lies in the approach they take and the vision they hold for where their students currently are and where they see them in the future. CCCS Achievement and Accountability When it came time to select a principal for CCCS, the Century Community Charter Schools, Inc School Board hit a home run when they selected teaching veteran Teri Delahousie Norris. She came to the position with 27 years of teaching experience under her belt, which put her in the perfect position to guide this community. She has first-hand information on how students think, what motivates them, and what would make for an effective charter school for students.. When it comes to the ?highly qualified? teacher definition in the ?No Child Left Behind Act,? she absolutely believes that charter school directors need more flexibility in determining what constitutes a highly qualified (HQ) teacher. ?Universities are not adequately preparing teachers for urban classrooms,? says Norris, ? Teachers must be highly qualified as-well-as highly effective in the classroom. In addition, she believes that there should be less emphasis on test scores and more emphasis on what is going on daily in classrooms. ?We train teachers to teach to the standards,? she says. ?Our teachers do not feel the pressure, because it is not put on them by the Administrative team. When teachers focus on standards-based instruction the scores naturally increase? Academics CCCS focuses on professional development, coaching, instructional leadership and the academic program using educational approach referred to as the Backward Design Model. This model focuses on effective instruction through deliberate planning that begins with the standard (What should students know, understand, and be able to do?). Next teachers determine the acceptable evidence that will show how we know if students have achieved the desired results and met the standard. Teachers consider a range of both summative and formative to determine whether students have attained the desired understanding of the standard. Once that is established, the educators? work backward using Bloom?s Taxonomy to create the unit, lessons, activities, and assignments that will guide student learning. Teachers clearly articulate the learning expectations to the students to help them develop focus and self-direction as learners. Teachers deliver lessons using multiple modalities and array of strategies that include the traditional reading, writing, and lecture using computers (Brainpop, YouTube) and Smart Boards to enhance lessons. Students work in cooperative groups, in pairs, and alone. Assessments take the form of quizzes, tests, projects, oral reports, performance, blogs, and in some cases imovies. ?Variety in their assessment is critical,? says Norris. ?The teachers make sure that they use all of the modalities so that all students have access to meet or exceed the standard.? In order to accomplish this teachers are provided with laptops, overhead projectors, LCD Screens, textbooks, and adequate classroom supplies. Teachers at CCCS are not left on their own to try to implement or work through this model. Rather, the school contracted Insight Education Group to conduct yearly training sessions as well as monthly coaching visits that assist teachers with their Unit and weekly plans. Insight Education maintains its availability to facilitate planning via phone and email when they are not present at school. Two Instructional leaders, the Principal and Mrs. Dana Means, the school Dean, also support teachers. Support includes weekly Walk Throughs, demonstration lessons, and consistent guidance when planning units and lessons. Students take the normal CORE classes of Social Studies, English Language Arts, Mathematics (Pre-Algebra and Algebra), Science, Health and Physical Education, as well as a variety of electives that include Art, Drama, Dance, Choir, American Sign Language and Music. Seventh and Eighth Graders in good academic standing (3.5 or above) tak ... |