‘Lowest performing’ schools get millions to transform [The Bakersfield Californian]

Aug. 28--Semitropic Elementary School needs help, Superintendent Bryan Caples said.

The school's computer lab has just 15, outdated computers sitting on rickety student desks. The shelves in its fast food restaurant-sized library are only a third full. Worst of all, its students have some of the lowest test scores in the state.

But help's coming in a big way.

The Wasco-area, K-8 school is getting a whopping $4 million from the state to "transform" the place over three years. That's a huge chunk of change given its enrollment of just 250 students.

The money will be used for such things as extending the school day for extra tutoring of all students, training teachers, bringing in kids on Saturdays, buying thousands of library books and bringing in new computers and textbooks.

The new plan is the federal government's bold approach of making dramatic reforms at struggling schools.

"This money will help level the playing field," Caples said. "This school is only going to get better. I'm positive (the money) will help."

Semitropic isn't alone. Four northwest Kern County school districts with some of the state's lowest performing schools will receive millions to turn into achievers.

LOW SCHOOLS AND GRANTS

Back in March, 12 Kern schools were named on a state list of "persistently lowest achieving schools" based on test scores and other things. Two schools were later removed.

Listed schools needed to make dramatic reforms in one of four ways including closing down and putting students in higher achieving ones, becoming a charter or firing half the staff, or implementing various "school improvement strategies."

Schools could apply for a School Improvement Grant to be used over three years. Five districts here applied for the money and four were approved.

"Being on the (lowest performing) list was quite a blow," said Jan Hummel, principal of Wasco Union Elementary School District's Palm Avenue Elementary School, which will receive $3.8 million. "Everyone asked, 'What can we do better?' Now we will have the resources where we can make changes."

The four districts that will receive a combined $12.5 million in grant money all chose the "transformational model," which includes replacing the principal and increasing instructional time.

Money can be used to supplement basic programs, hire staff, train teachers, cater to special needs groups and anything else to improve student achievement, said Christine Swenson, director of the California Department of Education's district and school improvement division. It cannot be used for construction or to lower class sizes, for example.

Critics of the plans have bashed some of the reform models, like firing teachers and principals based on students data. Other school officials here have said that "one-time money," like the improvement grant, is difficult to manage because it can't be used to start new programs.

CULTURE CHANGE

Schools are waiting for the money but some, like Palm Avenue, have already started implementing some of their plans by using their own money and getting reimbursed later.

Palm Avenue School will purchase new computers, train teachers and provide "bell-to-bell instruction" and student assistance programs before, during and after school.

The district also is working with teachers' groups to develop a rigorous teacher evaluation tool. Wasco Union's money will also fund consultants who specialize in teaching the poor and a new learning director who will compile and analyze student data, and work with teachers on how to use the data to teach students.

Teachers who don't miss school will be rewarded with money just for their classes. Library hours will be extended. And the school will start programs to address bullying and student behavioral issues.

All the ideas came from meetings with teachers, parents and administrators, among others, said Paul Chounet, Wasco's superintendent.

"We can no longer continue to do things the same way as in the past," he said. "We're transforming the school culture."

Josephina Raya, a Palm Avenue parent of three students, said she had concerns when she transferred to the school last year and found out about the list.

But because parents, teachers and district staff worked together on plans to spend the money, she's optimistic.

"I feel that our school is going to be changed around," she said.

Since word of the plans started spreading, school morale has soared. Staff has changed the school's mottos to "We believe that we are champions for change" and "We must, we can, we will."

"Everyone will be proud to be at Palm Avenue," said third-grade teacher Steffanie Pemberton.

'GREAT RESPONSIBILITY'

The four districts largely will focus on staff development and training, increasing instruction time, using technology to teach and analyzing student statistics to pinpoint areas of concern.

McFarland High School in the McFarland Unified School District will hire a teacher coach, extend the teaching day by 30 minutes and develop professional learning communities for teachers, said Superintendent Gabriel McCurtis.

"The money will help us improve student learning. It's not just lip service," McCurtis said.

Buttonwillow Elementary will not only buy computers and train staff but get parents more involved in education, said Superintendent James Murphy.

"This offers us a dynamic plan and adequate funding for what research tells us we should do to increase student achievement," Murphy said. "We're going to jump with both feet on this."

The four districts' money will also cover salaries and stipends for staff spending more time on campuses and to get substitutes during training times; extra bussing for students who spend extra time on campuses; and technology. How much exactly is not clear.

Mark Fulmer, Kern County Superintendent of Schools head of business, said the money's needed but with it comes "great responsibility."

"It's a great opportunity, but it's now up to the folks at the schools to deliver," Fulmer said.

For Semitropic, one of the least-funded schools in Kern County, the money will come as a relief, Caples said.

Last school year, staff ran out of small-sized paper and had to cut 11-by-17-inch paper because the supply budget dried up. The school has no custodian.

Now, the entire school (built in 1895), with nine teachers and 18 total staff, is excited.

"This will get us back to the 21st Century," teacher Jennifer Fields said.

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