Parent Advisory Council Meeting12/15/2017

Excel Academy - Mission & ValuesExcel Academy is a program of a public charter school

which embodies high quality teaching support and parent partnership resulting in the development of individual learning goals in a nurturing environment to ensure

individual student success.

AgendaLCAP Calendar

8 State Priorities - 3 Buckets

LCFF Evaluation Dashboard

Review of Performance

LCFF and LCAP

LCAPWhat is the Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP)?

The LCAP is an important component of the LCFF. Under the LCFF all Local Educational Agencies (LEAs) are required to prepare an LCAP, which describes how they intend to meet annual goals for all pupils, with specific activities to address state and local priorities identified pursuant to EC Section 52060(d).

The LCAP divides the 8 state priorities into 3 categories - “buckets”

Conditions of Learning Pupil Outcomes Engagement

Bucket #1 - Conditions of Learning

Common Core Standards

Course Access

Basic Services

How our LCAP fills the “Conditions of Learning” bucket

Goal 1 We will improve the academic achievement of ALL students through effective instruction a challenging and engaging curriculum and aligned assessments in language arts and mathematics to promote student progress of English Learners, other unduplicated student groups, and students with disabilities

Goal 2 We will promote a high ADA and climate outcomes by providing high-quality teachers, best practices, and interventions to ensure student success.

Bucket #2 - Pupil Outcomes

Student Achievement

Other Student Outcomes

How our LCAP fills the “Pupil Outcomes” bucket

Goal 1 We will improve the academic achievement of ALL students through effective instruction a challenging and engaging curriculum and aligned assessments in language arts and mathematics to promote student progress of English Learners, other unduplicated student groups, and students with disabilities

Goal 4 We will ensure that secondary students are on-track to graduate from high school, are college and career ready, and have career technical education opportunities.

Bucket # 3 - Engagement

Parent Involvement

Student Engagement

School Climate

How our LCAP fills the “Engagement” bucket

Goal 3 We will establish connections and partnerships with our families and community to increase engagement, involvement, ensure safety and satisfaction to support student learning and achievement.

Process for Accountability● The school must report on progress annually● Input on Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP) from stakeholders on budget and LCAP go

hand-in-hand● Parent input is mandatory. One of these forums is the formation of a school/parent advisory

committee

Parent Advisory CouncilWhat Is It?

The Parent Advisory Council represents families of Excel Academy who want to enhance the learning experience for all students. The Parent Advisory Council will foster constructive

interaction and provide collaboration and a collective voice for ideas and concerns, as well as, encourage parent participation in our school.

● Learn More about LCFF (Local Control Funding Formula) and LCAP● Ask questions● Share your ideas, suggestions, and constructive feedback by participating in LCAP discussions at

the March PAC Meeting.

What You Can Do

School Information

Student Enrollment NumbersCalifornia Pacific Charter School (CPCS) enrollment: 904 total

TK= 24 6= 77K= 103 7= 801= 78 8= 602= 86 9= 313= 84 10= 324= 89 11=325= 109 12= 19

Community Collaborative Charter School (CCCS) enrollment: 200 total

TK= 4 6= 13K= 12 7= 251= 29 8= 172=11 9=153= 20 10=54= 19 11=45= 23 12= 3

Community Collaborative Virtual School-Keppel Partnership Academy (CCVS-KPA) enrollment: 107 totalTK= 6 6= 17K= 13 7= 111= 6 8= 62= 5 9= 33= 14 10= 44= 13 11= 25= 6 12= 1

Compliance, Communication and Reporting ● ES Face to Face Monthly LP Meetings● PE logs● Online Courses● Daily and Weekly Email and/or Phone Communication● Monthly Newsletters● Social Media Engagement

Assessment and CAASPP Results

Assessment i-Ready Benchmark Assessments - Excel Academy’s “in house” assessment

● Adaptive diagnostic tests in reading and math● Adjusts questions to suit individual student performance● Indicates mastery and identifies learning needs● Administered to students in grades second through eleventh● Given in September and in March● Exceptional resource tool for parents ● “Optional” individualized instruction provided for each student● Assessment results are solely kept within Excel and provided to parents● Students in kindergarten and first grade will take paper/pencil assessments given by the ES in both

reading and math in (September and March)

Assessment State Testing for Public Schools - Excel Academy, a Public Charter School

CELDT - California English Language Development Test ELPAC - English Language Proficiency Assessments for California

● CELDT - Administered to students who entered a home language other than English on enrollment documents● CELDT - Initial assessment administered to determine language acquisition status (i.e. English Learner - EL) ● CELDT - Paper/pencil assessment administered by an official proctor● ELPAC - Assessment administered to identify language acquisition status of identified EL students (February.)● ELPAC - Paper/pencil assessment administered by an official proctor

PFT - Physical Fitness Test

● Administered to students in grades 5, 7, and 9 by Education Specialists● Dates vary (between February and April)● Testing flexibility, strength, and one mile run (ES will provide exercises to practice in advance)

Assessment - ContinuedCAASPP - California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress - Comprised of the SBAC and CAST

SBAC - Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium - English Language Arts (ELA) and Math

CAST - California Science Test - Aligned with the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) for California Public Schools

● SBAC - Administered to students in grades 3-8 and 11 ● CAST - Administered to students in grades 5, 8, and high school level determined by state ● Testing window (tentative) April 9th through June 1st (dates vary by location)● Using computer adaptive technology, English Language Arts and Math assessments are customized to each student● Students will attend safe and secure testing locations● Students will take math and science (5,8, high school) on day 1● Students will take ELA on day 2

2016-2017 English Language Arts, Math and Science CAASPP Results California Pacific Charter School (CPCS)

The CAASPP Overview is based on the results of all students who participated in the CAASPP assessments in English language arts, math, and science in 2017.

● In ELA, 50% of students met or exceeded standards (proficient and advanced). The percentage indicated is a 2% increase from 2016.

● In math, 36% of students met or exceeded standards (proficient and advanced). The percentage indicated is a 7% increase from 2016.

● In science, the results reported are from the 2016 school year where 48% of students met or exceeded standards (proficient and advanced). The science assessment was a piloted test for the 2017 school year. Therefore, results were not reported.

2016-2017 English Language Arts, Math and Science CAASPP Results Community Collaborative Charter School (CCCS)

The CAASPP Overview is based on the results of all students who participated in the CAASPP assessments in English language arts, math, and science in 2017.

● In ELA, 48% of students met or exceeded standards (proficient and advanced). The percentage indicated is a 1% increase from 2016.

● In math, 35% of students met or exceeded standards (proficient and advanced). The percentage indicated is a 3% decrease from 2016.

● In science, the results reported are from the 2016 school year where 58% of students met or exceeded standards (proficient and advanced). The science assessment was a piloted test for the 2017 school year. Therefore, results were not reported.

LCAP Survey ResultsNovember 2017

2017-2018 Survey Results204 Responses1 Student, 202 Parents, 3 Certificated, 1 Classified

Improve Academic Achievement of All Students

Positive School Climate and Connectedness

Establishing Connections and Partnerships

College and Career Readiness and Technical Education

Parent Trainings

School Technology/Communication

We value your input. If you answered "Sometimes," "Somewhat," or "No" to any of the survey questions, please provide us with suggestions on how we can improve.42 responses

Parent Feedback:● Need an option for parents/students in same/near grade levels to interact. (Except for those who opt out)● I am not sure about the live training or recorded training for parents. Because the premise of homeschool is to individualize a curriculum for

each child, I am not sure how helpful a broad training would be, or if I would be interested. Perhaps it would be mostly for parents who are new to homeschool or who are just embarking on the whole journey Andy have questions or doubts about their role in the process. I sort of bumped along getting advice from others who had homeschooled until, after three years, I felt I had a much more workable situation for myself and my child.

● It would be nice if more field trips were local. We are unable to participate because of the distance. It would also help in connecting with other families/kids. Sometimes homeschooling can feel isolated.

● I would like to see more information sent to us about new vendors in our areas that we live in , and more communication through our ES, I don't feel like there is enough communication that can help us as parents to help our child improve on their academics. It can be something so simple as a new curriculum that can be helpful, or a teaching strategy that a parent is using that possibly can help another child, etc. Thank You for allowing me to voice my opinion .

● More newsletters would be great● Biggest issue is circular books. Need a resource library. Even if it means less funding.

Parent Feedback cont.:● Organization needs improvement● I would be an improvement in you could merge A-G with portfolio for high school. It was very disappointing that anything outside of "class" no

longer "counts" and it caused the student to value this enrichment less. It is also frustrating when a class that is A-G accredited is not "enough" for you and you need additional writing samples in the subject matter to support it. I have not seen college tour or fair information though Excel nor have I seen information on career/education tracking for students. I have also not seen any information about the SAT or PSAT. I am unaware of career technical opportunities for A-G track students.

● I would love to to use the instructional fund for Classical curriculum.● Excel specialty classes in the South Bay● My one suggestion would be to make the vendor ordering process easier. The way to look up vendors is not user friendly, and the map is even

worse.● Every year should begin with benchmarks expected to be completed during the next year per grade level i.e.; 5th graders should know A,B,C, in

Science, X,Y,Z in math, and ___, ___, ___, in Language Arts. It would help as a cross-reference to know if the curriculum I chose is meeting state standards (even if the curriculum says it does). I would especially like to know what will be covered in the end of year Science test, so I can prepare my student. Just to be clear, I don't want the curriculum or websites to visit, I only want to know the expectation. Even if it's just a sheet of paper with bullet points.

● We need access to computers for the students. The costs for computer from the current vendor is not enough. The school should provide chromebooks to students. Or have a vendor that the prices are reasonable. Best Buy is cheaper than the vendor

● Communication on POs are terrible. Meaning, there is no indication of what we've PO'd for when we PO for supplies, classes. You should implement an automatic "receipt" of some sort when we fill out POs online so we have record of what we've POd for.

● More emails/calls, especially when it has to do with a students with disabilities like my daughter. I have not been contacted and it is already November though I have been told by my ES they will be contacting me soon... Also, I am not aware of any existing college prep program though I have heard they may subscribe to one which would be great.

Parent Feedback cont.:● I don't know of any "I have participated in or viewed trainings offered by the school (This may include webinars or recorded trainings on

curriculum, assessment, high school planning, new parent information, etc"● Assembling the curriculum has been the responsibility of the parent, I haven’t noticed that Excel provides a complete curriculum which for

some would be helpful.● Keep Adding more vendors● I have not been aware of training opportunities for parents, but I also do not feel a need for them at this stage (my oldest is in 1st grade). I

do not see a need for improvement in this area for my stage.● It would be great if Excel offered families the option of meeting with their ES via skype rather than requiring it be in person.● Love our ES Amy Hitzler! However, we feel like the school as a whole is lacking in their support and knowledge of the high school

program. Especially at the counselor level . It’s extremely important in this type of environment to have counselor support, but we feel like we have been reinventing the wheel as we go through the high school process and college application process.

● Offering more A-G approved courses (Especially in the sciences.). My ES is great and I hear from her frequently, but I don't get monthly emails or notices very often. I went to sign up for webinars but there were none. This survey could be improved by having a range of 1 to 5 instead of yes or no. This survey did not accurately reflect my answers, because there are many shades beyond 0% and 100%.

● Parent Trainings - I recall occasional emails come through about parent webinars or meetings, but they typically apply to families with older children (I have TK and 1st gr), or they are at times I am unavailable.

● If I answered these question according to my daughter being testing and working with her IEP they would have been different. I am not getting the right help with her IEP. I feel I am not being communicated with in this area and they are not honoring the time. However, in the standard classroom experience and with our ES things are great!

● My son has trouble working independently, it's something he's always struggled with.● I don't recall hearing about any parent training classes.

Parent Feedback cont.:● I’ve asked multiple times to be added to email list, in particular for field trips and events, and I still haven’t been added correctly.

I’d like a copy of whatever report my ES makes / or perhaps parent portal access to see how my child is hitting standards or not hitting them.

● When a parent signs up their child it's confusing at first on the steps to take after. I think there should be a place that shows steps and how to complete form stacks. Also what classes/courses are expected for each grade on the website.

● I don't like the fact that we are not able to use instructional funds for Christian based classes. That should be our choice if our science class is math based and the fact that it is not paid for I don't agree with. It is personal choice to use it just as much as it is personal choice for the parents that don't. It should not be dictated one way OR the other on a state level.

● Parent Portal needs to work with Chrome at minimum and be Mac friendly● I am not aware of any parent training available. I would appreciate more emails than things posted on social media.● When I ask what the expectations are, I am given answers quickly, but they were not given to me at the beginning of the school

year, or if they were, I forgot.● We could use a bit more clarity on what academic standards are for our child's grade level. I don't want to forget anything or let something

slip through the cracks.● Feel my ES gives mixed messages regarding expectations. I feel like I "jump through all of her hoops" yet she is still critical. She criticizes

the work but then says that it is fine. This is frustrating because I feel I do above what she asks us to do in her emails but then she still finds fault. I've requested another ES but was not given one.

● I'm not aware of any parent webinars being offered but it's possible I didn't see the information on it.● Student personal goals / independent work improvement comes from their personalities and age and will change as they grow. Not

applicable to school improvement.● Provide more opportunities for homeschool families to get to know each other socially.● I haven't viewed any trainings. I do have one suggestion please bring back edgenuity!!!!!!

Parent Feedback cont.:● We sometimes receive field trip info in an awkward timeframe that doesn’t allow for us to pre-plan for the year or to respond in a

timely manner.● Please add back edgenuity:)● Would like to see more field trips across the year. I would them to be open to more families. I would like the school to allow funds to

be used for parents training ( we are the teachers for our kids). I would like to see/have more field trips closer to where I live (riverside).

● I have met with the High School Guidance Counselor and was not impressed with her knowledge or ability to answer my questions. She did not follow up after our meeting on the items she said she would.

Additional Information About Excel Academy

Lily Chen - Marketing and Field Trip Manager- Introduction- Parent Advisory Committee (PAC)

- A group of parents and teachers working together for the benefit of the school and the children being educated there.

- Gain involvement in the following areas:

- Community events (ideas)

- Service (acts of service within the community...soup kitchens, nursing homes, letters

to the military, Lion’s Heart, etc)

- Fundraising (set up a foundation for Excel’s non-profit foundation, etc)

- PAC meeting dates

February Community EventsFebruary 1 - Natural History Museum - Los AngelesFebruary 1 - Garden Grove Library - Bark Therapy - Garden Grove Feburary 3 - Orange County Art Museum - Newport BeachFebruary 3 - Park Day in Irvine, Murrieta, and BreaFebruary 7 - WIZKIDS - Herocliz Beginner’s Night - WhittierFebruary 9 - Fired Up Ceramics - San ClementeFebruary 11 - Inspyr Art Studio Workshop - Long BeachFebruary 14 - Inspyr Art Studio Workshop- Long BeachFebruary 14 - Parents Night Out - Inspyr Art Studio - Long BeachFebruary 21 - Movie Day in San Juan Capistrano, Huntington Beach, and Temecula February 23 - Park Day in RiversideFebruary 24 - Park Day in Pasadena

Melissa O’Dell - HS Guidance Counselor- Introduction- HS Guidance and Counseling background- Available for virtual and/or face to face meetings- Counselor Connection Newsletters

Thaddies Jackson - Vendor Lead- Introduction- Instructional Funds- New Vendor Requests- Purchase Orders- Life Cycle of a Purchase Order

IntroductionThaddies Jackson - Purchasing/Vendor Lead Excel Academy

Each student is allotted between $2700 – $3200 depending on grade level. Families can request the purchase of approved educational materials and services through Excel Academy’s Vendor Department. Funds may only be used during the school year in which they were allotted, and do not carry over from year to year.

Use of instructional funds is up to the discretion of the ES; Please consult with your ES to determine the eligible use of instructional funds. Funds are prorated after the first day of the school year.

Instructional Funds

Instructional Funds (cont.)Instructional Funds Allotted by Grade

TK-8 funding - $2,700

High School Funding - $3,200

*At Excel Academy, high school students can choose to follow the UC/CSU A-G track or the customized college track to complete high school graduation requirements. High school students and their parents work with the ES to balance curricular needs.

New Vendor Requests *New Vendor Consideration

*Vendor Requirements

*Review and Approval of New Vendors

*Ordering Process May Begin

New Vendor Requests (cont.)Excel Academy continuously strives to provide the the best and most effective educational outlets to our students and families. With that said, becoming a vendor with Excel Academy is no easy feat; we maintain standard of performance and require our vendors to do the same.

Through our extensive vetting and screening process, we ensure that each of our vendors will not only provide quality instruction; but provide a healthy and safe environment for our students.

New Vendor Requests (cont.)Excel Academy currently maintains over 1,800 vendors in its database. Over 1,500 of those vendors offer services ranging from academic tutoring, art classes, and piano lessons; to horseback riding, parkour/free running, and rock climbing. Excel also features 300+ educational materials vendors for each family to choose from.

A great portion of our vendors are local to our surrounding areas, and doing amazing things in the community. There are also plenty of familiar faces in the crowd:

Purchase OrdersPurchase Orders are the primary tracking method for each order placed by our families. When a family places an order, whether it be services or materials, the ES will create a purchase order (we’ll call it a PO from here on out). This PO is created in our purchasing system known as OPS (Online Purchasing System).

In order for a PO to be processed, there are a couple of things to remember:

Be Descriptive: To ensure that each student receives the materials or services best for them, a complete description of the item or service is needed. Adding info such as class start date and subject are good notes to have.

*Parent email is mandatory if placing an order for an online course.* Be Proactive: Most students tend to utilize the same vendor because they reach a rapport with the vendor, they show great progress, and/or they simply enjoy the class. Families may place orders ahead of time if they know which classes their student will be taking, and they have sufficient Instructional Funds to create POs.

Now, let’s take a look at how the entire PO process works.

Life Cycle of a Purchase OrderStep 1

Placing Orders

-Parent requests services/materials-Teacher creates PO in OPS-PO is reviewed and approved by Program Lead

Step 2Ordering

-Upon approval, the PO is sent to vendor by Purchasing Dept. via OPS-Vendor receives PO and confirms receipt of PO via email-Once services are complete or materials are shipped, the vendor may submit an invoice

Step 3Invoicing

-Vendor submits invoice to Accounts Payable via OPS, email, or USPS-AP Matches the invoice in OPS-One the invoice is matched, it is then submitted to bill.com for payment

Step 4Payment

-Once in bill.com, the invoice is then assigned to designees for approval-After the bill has been approved by all proper channels, it is queued for payment-Once in the payment queue, a check will be issued via USPS*An ACH (autopay) option is also available to vendors by request

Questions

Contact InformationHeidi Gasca - Director, Excel AcademyHgasca@excelacademy.education Lily Chen - Field Trip and Marketing Managercommunity@excelacademy.educationMelissa O’Dell - High School Guidance CounselorModell@excelacademy.educationThaddies Jackson - Vendor Leadtjackson@excelacademy.education