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Update to State Board of Education

Update to State Board of Education. December 2012. Educational Philosophy. Place-based learning Connects kids to the community Uses the social and natural environment as an additional classroom Integrated learning experiences Authentic, hands-on, real world learning experiences

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Update to State Board of Education

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  1. Update to State Board of Education December 2012

  2. Educational Philosophy • Place-based learning • Connects kids to the community • Uses the social and natural environment as an additional classroom • Integrated learning experiences • Authentic, hands-on, real world learning experiences • Science, Art & Civics are the primary lenses • Small class and school size

  3. Why Southwest Charter School? • Fewer educational options in SW Portland • 28 public options on the east side of Portland • 6 public options on the west side of Portland • Small class size & small school size • Community involvement • Authentic, place-based learning

  4. History of Southwest Charter • 2007-2008–Year One • Granted State Charter in May 2007 • Opened in Fall 2007 • 29 students • 3 teachers, 1 aide, director & office manager • Grew to 45 students by end of 2007-08 • Added 2 ADA bathrooms & several other smaller modifications to receive a temporary occupancy permit

  5. History of Southwest Charter • 2008-2009 – Year Two • Grew to about 58 students • Added 1 teacher for total of 4 teachers • Converted office space to a fourth classroom • Began own After School Enrichment program

  6. History of Southwest Charter • 2009-2010 – Year Three • Grew to about 120 students • Operated in two locations apx. 2 miles apart • Added 3 teachers for total of 7 teachers • Granted a renewal of charter for 3 additional years • Earned an “Outstanding” report card

  7. History of Southwest Charter • 2010-2011 – Year Four • Grew to about 140 students • Added 2 teachers for total of 9 teachers • Started late (9/22) due to construction delays • Operated in temporary facility through February • Executed mid-year move to new facility (March 1) • First Artist-in-Residence • Earned an “Outstanding” Report Card • Middle School Students won statewide Project Citizen

  8. History of Southwest Charter • 2011-2012 – Year Five • Grew to about 190 students • First full year in new facility • Added NWEA MAP testing • More professional development for teachers/staff • Revised and improved writing curriculum • Worked to upgrade HVAC, school visibility & playground • Second Artist-in-Residence & permanent mural installation • Second Project Citizen statewide win for 7th/8th • Began long-term strategic planning

  9. Annual Themes • 2011/12– Earth • Land animals, plants, soil, geology, volcanoes, cartography, ceramics, landscapes, human uses of the land • 2012/13 – Sky • Birds, flying insects, the solar system, space, the “Big Sky” painters, mobiles & wind sculptures, air quality, weather • 2013/14– Water • Physical aspects of water, watercolor painting, marine & aquatic animals, wetlands

  10. Field Work • An integral part of the learning at SWCS • Authentic experiences for students • Broadens their concept of where learning happens • Connects classroom learning with real world application • Behavior must be top-notch to participate

  11. Field Work • Over 150 field work experiences this year • Weekly trips to neighborhood resources (e.g. Community Garden, Cottonwood Bay) • Library trips at grade levels 1-8 (monthly) • Art experiences • Portland Art Museum • Theater & Music performances • Science experiences • OMSI • Outdoor school – multi-day trips for grades 4-8 • Pond studies at Oaks Bottom for grades K-2 • Civics experiences • Project Citizen in Salem – follow-up with City Council • Houses of Worship for World Religions project • Local businesses/community partners (e.g. Portland Streetcar & Metro) • Portland connections – Chinatown, Downtown, OHSU, local nonprofits for internships

  12. Student Assessment • State tests • 100% participation • High points this year • Met or exceeded state average in • Reading – 3rd, 5th, 6th, 8th • Math – 5th, 6th, 8th • Science – 5th & 8th • 15% of those testing have IEPs • Percent meeting/exceeding standards this year improved in: • Reading – 3rd, 5th, 8th • Math – 3rd, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th • Science – 5th, 8th

  13. Student Assessment • NWEA’s Methods of Academic Progress • Tests for grades K-8 • Tests in reading, math & language • High points this year • Learned how to implement & interpret data • Average scores of 100% classes grades 1-8 showed growth

  14. Student Assessment • Areas where SWCS students exceeded NWEA norms at Spring test:

  15. Student Assessment • Project-based rubrics • Individualized student goals • Create portfolios of student work • Use pre/post tests in many subjects • Standards-based report cards • MAP in 2012/2013 – aligned to Common Core

  16. Student Demographics • Gender • 65% Boys • 35% Girls • Race/ethnicity • 5% Hispanic/Latino • 2% American Indian • 5% Asian/Pacific Islander • 3% African American • 10% Multi-racial • 80% White

  17. Student Demographics • 12% qualify for free/reduced lunch program • Students represent 9 different school districts • 80% from Portland Public Schools • 16.6% disabled or identified with special needs

  18. Students with Disabilities • 11% of our current students have IEPs • 7 have 504 plans • 6 are currently being evaluated

  19. Grades 7 & 8 at SWCS • 2 Project Citizen statewide wins • Policy-based solutions to community problems • Last year: School Visibility • Drama – Romeo & Juliet • Abridged but in the original language • More intensive field work • 8-week internships • Career internships

  20. Grades 7 & 8 at SWCS • 8th grade student won the Weekly Reader National Student Non-fiction Writing Contest • Elise Gonsalves

  21. Reaching Out • Student teachers • 2 student teachers last year & 3 this school year • Place-based Learning • Participate/present with Lewis & Clark’s PBE Consortium • Community Partnerships • Portland Parks & Recreation • Metro • SW Business Association • SW Neighborhood Association • Portland Streetcar • Other local charters

  22. Final Thoughts “We get out of the classroom and learn in nature.” -SWCS Student “My voice is heard.” -SWCS Student “I love that the community accepts me, and no one is left out.” -SWCS Middle School Student “I have experienced more than what most average middle schoolers would.” -SWCS Middle School Student

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