north harris county education alliancetoward reading to learn. early numeracy and proficiency in...

LoneStar.edu/NHCEA2015 Annual Report

North Harris CountyEducation AllianceS U C C E S S F U L S T U D E N T SP R O D U C T I V E C I T I Z E N ST H R I V I N G C O M M U N I T I E S

GREETINGSDear Community Members and Friends,As we approach our third year of working collaboratively

around shared goals, measures, and results in education to support the success of every child from cradle to career, the North Harris County Education Alliance continues to uphold two working principles: to stay accountable and to promote transparency.

This, our first annual report follows our 2014 baseline report and offers a snapshot of the indicators adopted by our Leadership Council to guide our data collection and reporting. New to this report is the work of two Collaborative Action Networks: Ready for School and Ready for College/Career.

While the student performance data show us the status quo, the most important story we have to tell is how the North Harris County community has committed to change these outcomes via collective impact strategies, cradle to career. The data included in this report shape our priorities as we move forward, and we will continue to report on our progress each year.

Superintendents, university and college administrators, business executives, and non-profit leaders have joined hands and hearts to improve the lives of young people. In the process, they are building a bright future for all community members.

We invite you to explore our work and support us in it. You can follow us regularly on our website: www.lonestar.edu/NHCEA.htm

Dr. Gerald Napoles, PresidentLone Star College-North Harris, Co-Chair NHCEA

Mr. Richard Cantu, Director of ServicesEast Aldine District, Co-Chair NHCEA

AREA OF FOCUS

North Harris County

School Districts Aldine Independent School DistrictSpring Independent School District

The North Harris County Education Alliance believes that education is a lifelong experience that begins well before a child ever steps foot in a classroom and continues long past a cap and gown commencement. We are committed to outlining a student success road map to determine what children need to succeed so we may reach the goal of success for every student, every step of the way.

North Harris CountyEducation Alliance

2

S U C C E S S F U L S T U D E N T S . P R O D U C T I V E C I T I Z E N S . T H R I V I N G C O M M U N I T I E S .

OUR REPORT TO THE COMMUNITYThe North Harris County Education Alliance works

collaboratively to help create a civic infrastructure that unites stakeholders around shared goals, measures, and results in education to support the success of every child from cradle to career. We are not a program, but rather a community partnership

to support student success. We use a national framework, Strive Together, that is adaptive in processes and has been proven successful. The geographical focus is the Aldine and Spring Independent School Districts (ISDs) in North Harris County.

The North Harris County Education Alliance is built around four fundamental principles: Unite, Target, Measure, Persist, and do it all cradle to career. We are here to organize and align resources throughout the community which guarantee scalability and sustainability leading to systemic change. The only way to reach the goal of success for every student is to think about how the community as a whole can support students at every step.

Towards this end, the partnership has chosen the following five community goals to help improve the quality of life for children and youth in North Harris County:

GOAL 1: Ready for School GOAL 2: Ready for Intermediate School GOAL 3: Ready for High School GOAL 4: Ready for College GOAL 5: Ready for Career

Currently, the Alliance is working on Ready for School and Ready for College/Career goals. To maintain accountability to every child, we will publish an Annual Report and share the results as well as highlights of our successes. We are determined to discover what children need to succeed, so our vision is realized with the North Harris County community in building Successful Students, Productive Citizens, and Thriving Communities.

COLLECTIVE IMPACT The commitment of individuals from different sectors to solve specific problems using structured collaboration. Collective Impact follows these conditions: • Common Agenda • Shared Measurement • Mutually Reinforcing Activities • Continuous Communication • Backbone Support Organizations

32015 Annual Report


4

• Unite: We need the whole community to work together and encourage educators, parents, community members, and businesses to support the children and youth from cradle to career.

• Measure: We focus on the use of local data to identify areas for improvement in a constant and disciplined manner that ensures partners invest in a practice that works.

• Target: We select key outcomes for the North Harris County Education Alliance to focus on and be held accountable

for improving. By maintaining a focus on the goals and outcomes we want to accomplish, we will not lose sight of the bigger picture which is to support the success of every student.

• Persist: We continue to engage and commit to continuous improvement processes to guide the work. Achieving these goals will take determination and continued effort. The expected change will depend on the level of commitment the partnership receives.

VISION Successful Students. Productive Citizens. Thriving Communities.

MISSION Our mission is to convene and equip community- wide leaders from education, business and community to improve educational outcomes through collective impact.

Birth Kindergarten 4th Grade 8th Grade 12th Grade College-Career

Outcomes We Are Tracking1. CHILDREN ENTER KINDERGARTEN READY TO SUCCEED.

2. CHILDREN DEMONSTRATE PROFICIENCY IN READING, WRITING AND MATH.

3. YOUTH DEMONSTRATE PROFICIENCY IN READING AND MATH.

4. STUDENTS GRADUATE HIGH SCHOOL WITH PROFICIENCY IN ENGLISH AND MATH.

5. STUDENTS ENROLL IN COLLEGE AND COMPLETE A POST-SECONDARY PROGRAM.


5

FIRST OUTCOME – CHILDREN ENTER KINDERGARTEN READY TO SUCCEED

GOAL: READY FOR SCHOOL

The State of Texas permits

school districts to evaluate

reading readiness coming into

kindergarten through a variety

of assessment instruments. Our

districts – Aldine and Spring

ISDs – do not use the same

instruments.

Percentage of children entering kindergarten “ready” in reading.46% to 55%

Upon entering kindergarten in the fall of 2015, 46 percent to 55 percent of the children served by Aldine and Spring ISDs demonstrated all the skills associated with reading readiness. By comparison, last year’s range of readiness was from 30 percent to 47 percent. We should note that the readiness threshold for one of our districts’ assessments was lowered going into the most recent year. This means that recent students could be deemed “ready for school” after demonstrating fewer skills than were required a year ago.

The general results reported above are based on data from Aldine ISD’s administration of the Texas Primary Reading Inventory (TPRI/Tejas LEE) and Spring ISD’s Istation assessments. These assessments look at reading as a composite of discrete skills, including letter identification, rhyming, phonemic and phonological awareness. Children’s performances can vary widely. However, when we consider reading performance across all of the skills, between 46 percent and 55 percent of our children are considered “ready” for kindergarten.

2015 Annual Report


Children must demonstrate proficiency in reading, writing, and math early on to create a strong foundation for future success. Children’s in-school success is linked to the community’s future workforce.

Students begin by learning to read and over time move toward reading to learn. Early numeracy and proficiency in basic arithmetic are critical for higher order learning in mathematics.

The North Harris County Education Alliance is tracking students’ performance in these areas and, over time, will convene Collaborative Action Networks (CANs) to improve outcomes.

State of Texas Assessment of Academic Readiness (STAAR) 2014 and 2015 results for the Aldine and Spring ISDs report students at the *Advanced Level who are considered ready for the next grade. While significant progress was made in reading, test scores decreased in writing and math.

6

SECOND OUTCOME—CHILDREN DEMONSTRATE PROFICIENCY IN READING, WRITING, AND MATH

GOAL: READY FOR INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL

3rd grade *Advanced 8.0 12.4 reading Satisfactory 61.0 69.9

4th grade *Advanced 2.3 1.9 writing Satisfactory 63.0 61.2

5th grade *Advanced 9.5 11.7 reading Satisfactory 53.6 63.8

5th grade *Advanced 12.3 11.4 math Satisfactory 53.1 70.4

6.860.5

1.861.7

8.052.7

10.952.7

16.360.7

4.369.5

16.557.9

19.155.5

2014 2015Overall Economically

DisadvantagedNot-EconomicallyDisadvantaged

Overall EconomicallyDisadvantaged

Not-EconomicallyDisadvantaged

10.667.8

1.559.9

10.061.9

10.368.7

20.379.0

3.866.8

19.973.1

17.278.8


A rich body of reasearch highlights the fact that students’ preformance in earlier grades generally predicts whether a student will be successful in high school. Mastering several subject areas, such as reading and math, supports students’ ability to think critically and understand more complex concepts. Understanding leads to success in school, opportunities for higher learning, and increased employment options. STAAR 2015 results for eighth grade Aldine and Spring ISD students indicated 11.3 percent performed at the *Advanced Level in reading and 4.5 percent at the Advanced Level in math. These were down slightly from 2014. Satisfactory Level results in reading increased from 62.5 percent in 2014 to 68 percent in 2015 while results in math increased from 67.2 percent to 70 percent.

7

GOAL: READY FOR HIGH SCHOOL

THIRD OUTCOME—YOUTH DEMONSTRATE PROFICIENCY IN READING AND MATH

8th grade *Advanced 11.8 11.3 reading Satisfactory 62.5 68.0


8.1261.9

3.666.6

13.364.9

4.569.6





9.466.2

4.369.2

18.274.5

5.172.7

*Advanced Academic Performance: Performance in this category indicates that students are well prepared for the next grade or course. They demonstrate the ability to think critically and apply the assessed knowledge and skills in varied contexts, both familiar and unfamiliar. Students in this category have a high likelihood of success in the next grade or course with little or no academic intervention.Satisfactory Academic Performance: Performance in this category indicates that students are sufficiently prepared for the next grade or course. They generally demonstrate the ability to think critically and apply the assessed knowledge and skills in familiar contexts. Students in this category have a reasonable likelihood of success in the next grade or course but may need short-term, targeted academic intervention.

2015 Annual Report


The future of our students depends on our ability to prepare them to successfully complete post-secondary credentials. This requires supporting and mentoring students so that they graduate within four years of entering college. Colleges expect entering students to be ready for the rigors of post-secondary education; however, current data indicate that many of our students are not ready for college-level courses.

STAAR 2015 results for ninth grade Aldine and Spring ISD students indicate that:

• 11.2 percent performed at the Advanced Level in math• 1.7 percent performed at the Advanced Level in English

Results of tracking the four-year graduation rate for ninth grade students who are graduating high school in four years are:

• 82.9 percent in 2013• 84.8 percent in 2014Although some progress has been made, there is still more

work to be accomplished before our students are ready to be successful college students.

8

FOURTH OUTCOME—STUDENTS GRADUATE HIGH SCHOOL WITH PROFICIENCY IN ENGLISH AND MATH

GOAL: READY FOR COLLEGE


9th grade *Advanced 1.2 1.7 English Satisfactory 48.5 44.0

8.864.5

1.047.3

11.363.2

3.044.0





10.371.1

1.642.0

13.673.8

1.949.7

ALDINE AND SPRING ISDS

FOUR-YEAR GRADUATION RATE

2013 2014

82.9% 84.8%


Data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics indicate that students who graduate high school and go on to complete a post-secondary degree or certificate have greater possibilities at earning higher wages, thus experiencing a better quality of life. These individuals are also less likely to live in poverty with long periods of unemployment. In fall 2014, 46 percent of students in Aldine and Spring ISDs enrolled in college after graduation from high school.

The 2015 Texas Public Higher Education Almanac reports that the six-year graduation rate for the 2008 Lone Star College- North Harris cohort was 30.4 percent for full-time and 23.5 percent for part-time students, with 20.9 percent transferring to a four-year institution. Moreover, of the Fall 2009 First-Time-In-College (FTIC) dual credit cohort, 90.1 percent persisted for one year with 34.4 percent earning a baccalaureate or associate degree in four years or fewer. In that cohort, 20.9 percent transferred to a four-year institution; 26.7 percent of these students, in turn, earned a baccalaureate degree within four years of matriculation.

9

ALDINE AND SPRING ISDsENROLLMENT IN COLLEGE

E Nnrolled ot Enrolled

GOAL: READY FOR CAREER

FIFTH OUTCOME— STUDENTS ENROLL IN COLLEGE AND COMPLETE A POST-SECONDARY PROGRAM

LONE STAR COLLEGE-NORTH HARRISSIX-YEAR GRADUATION RATE

2013 2014

31.1% 30.4%

*Advanced Academic Performance: Performance in this category indicates that students are well prepared for the next grade or course. They demonstrate the ability to think critically and apply the assessed knowledge and skills in varied contexts, both familiar and unfamiliar. Students in this category have a high likelihood of success in the next grade or course with little or no academic intervention.Satisfactory Academic Performance: Performance in this category indicates that students are sufficiently prepared for the next grade or course. They generally demonstrate the ability to think critically and apply the assessed knowledge and skills in familiar contexts. Students in this category have a reasonable likelihood of success in the next grade or course but may need short-term, targeted academic intervention.

FIRST TIME, FULL-TIME ENTERING, CREDENTIAL SEEKING UNDERGRADUATES WHO HAVE GRADUATED

46% 54%

2015 Annual Report


10

SNAPSHOTThe North Harris County Education Alliance (NHCEA) has

formed two Collaborative Action Networks (CANs) comprised of volunteers from the community whose purposes are to pursue improvements in educational opportunities for pre-K and high school students. Collaborative Action Network members work together with a continuous improvement facilitator to collectively develop and implement shared action plans aimed at improving the priority outcomes. By sharing data, identifying effective strategies, and adopting best practices, Collaborative Action Networks can achieve meaningful progress toward those goals over time. Both Ready for School and Ready for College and Career CANs meet twice a month to pursue their commitment to improve educational outcomes for our children coming into kindergarten and our high school graduates who need a post-secondary credential.

READY FOR SCHOOL COLLABORATIVE ACTION NETWORK

The Ready for School CAN has been charged with increasing the percentage of children participating in high quality pre-school programs. Towards this end, members are working on plans to inform parents and care-givers about the importance of pre-K and increase participation in high quality programs beyond the current level of 47 percent. The long-term objective is to create an improved workforce and stronger communities by increasing the number of children entering school ready to learn. The key strategy for this initiative is the distribution of pertinent information on working with pre-school children and child care programs via brochures, workshops, and outreach events, with eventual expansion to website, phone app, or other formats; and gathering information through surveys and focus groups.

The CAN will establish baseline measures, using information gathered to prepare and distribute materials, and enlisting support for distributing the materials. The initiative will be supported in a variety of ways through many community partners. The Ready for School CAN is on target to propose a program of work in the spring of 2016.

READY FOR COLLEGE/CAREER COLLABORATIVE ACTION NETWORK

The charge for the Ready for College/Career CAN is to increase the percentage of students who complete high school with proficiency in math. The Leadership Council approved the CAN’s proposal to implement a Summer Bridge Math program. Through support from the North Harris County Education Alliance, the first pilot of the initiative in summer 2015 had scholarships available to defray the cost of tuition. Instead of $212, students accepted into the program paid a $72 registration fee that included breakfast, peer mentoring, tutoring, math study skills, career planning, and extra-curricular activities.

The Summer Bridge program is based on research that has shown that summer college-level math coursework has a positive effect on course and college completion. Moreover, data indicate that students who take math courses in the summer immediately following high school graduation while math concepts are still fresh in their minds, have a 22 percent higher success rate than students who delay enrollment in college until the start of the fall term. The first pilot was less successful than anticipated for a number of reasons. Although 53 students registered, only 21 paid the fee, and eight successfully completed the program. Materials publicizing the program did not make it home to parents, a public meeting had to be cancelled because of local flooding, and financial aid for students who otherwise had to work during the summer was not secured in time.


11

Nevertheless, the CAN is persisting in its charge through a continuous improvement process that will recruit students and faculty much earlier in the academic year, send letters directly to parents, and complete financial aid paperwork in a timely manner. Additional improvements from “lessons learned” are now underway in preparation for summer 2016.

HOW CAN YOU GET INVOLVED?The North Harris County Education Alliance is committed to

engaging the “village” – all sectors of the community – in creating a local education ecosystem to support children and youth from cradle to career. The partnership has developed five community goals as a student roadmap to success and is making informed decisions by turning numbers and narratives into action plans. By employing a standard of continuous quality improvement, we are evaluating change interventions as we go, and threading them forward, year by year. Our annual reports informing on our progress and our challenges are the tools by which we are staying accountable to the North Harris County community. This process takes time and commitment as we continue the aggressive pursuit of our mission to convene and equip community-wide leaders from education, business and community to improve educational outcomes through collective impact. The partnership is designed to convene community leaders from all sectors and bring together people, ideas, and resources to improve student achievement across the education continuum. No single organization can accomplish this process alone. We are continually seeking out individuals who can provide knowledge, skills, resources, and a passion to make a difference – as together – we strive to have a collective impact on the future of our community.

If you or someone you know would like to become part of this national movement, please contact us at 281.618.5462.

2015 Annual Report

LoneStar.edu/NHCEA

North Harris County Education Alliance Council Members

Learn more about the North Harris County Education Alliance and how you can help our children succeed from cradle to career by contacting:Ashley Askew, Program Manager, North Harris County Education Alliance at 281.618.5462;

[email protected]

EducationDr. Wanda Bamberg, Superintendent, Aldine ISD Dr. Louis Evans, Executive Director of Distance Education, U of H DowntownDr. Jaimie Hebert, Provost, Vice President for Academic Affairs, SHSUDr. Gerald Napoles, President, Lone Star College-North Harris Dr. Rodney Watson, Superintendent, Spring ISDDr. Leslie Woodard, Fallbrook College Prep Academy

Community/Non-ProfitMr. Erv Baumeyer, Community MemberMs. Zenae Campbell, Vice President of Program Services, Boys and Girls Club of Greater Houston Ms. Regina Gevin, Sr. Learning for Life Executive, Boy Scouts of AmericaHon. Commissioner El Franco Lee, Harris County Precinct 1Hon. State Sen. Sylvia Garcia, District 6 Hon. U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, TX-18Ms. Carole Little, President and CEO, Northwest Assistance MinistriesMr. Cesar Silva, District Vice President, YMCA Ms. Sylvia Teague, Director, Field Operations, Communities in Schools of Houston, Inc.Hon. State Rep. Sylvester Turner, District 139Hon. State Rep. Armando Walle, District 140

Business/WorkforceMr. Richard Cantu, Director, Community Services & Public Safety, East Aldine District Mr. Mathew Foster, District Manager, ECOLABMr. Reggie Gray, President, Houston Intercontinental Chamber of Commerce Ms. Alexa Horak, Council Liaison, Planet FordMr. Robert LeDay, R L Tax Service Mr. Basim Shami, President and CEO, Farouk, Inc.Mr. Seth Sharr, Aldine Education Foundation, Houston NW Chamber of Commerce, LSCS Foundation, Aldine-Greenspoint YMCA Mr. Greg Simpson, President, Greenspoint DistrictMs. Barbara Thomason, President, Houston NW Chamber of Commerce Dr. Andrew Watkins, Regional Manager, Watkins Group

north harris county education alliancetoward reading to learn. early numeracy and proficiency in...

Documents