2009 Annual Report Curriculum, Instruction & Student Achievement

Public Charter School District #4099-07

Ranked #1 in the nation for Student Growth

By North West Evaluation Association (NWEA)

Clockwise from top left:

1. TiZA students participate in the “Mock Trial” program at William Mitchell School of Law

2. Outdoor learning 3. Science Fair 4. TiZA Girl Scouts sell cookies to fund their troop 5. TiZA students learn an important Minnesota

tradition – fishing 6. TiZA Cub Scouts learn about patriotism and

honor 7. TiZA students participate in a pre-election town

hall forum held for all Inver Grove Heights city council & mayoral candidates

Upholding A Higher Standard

Tarek ibn Ziyad Academy (TiZA) is pleased to present the 2009 Annual Report. This publication will provide you, our community partner, with an overview of your School District. We want you to know how we do business, and invite you to become active partners in the important process of educating the leaders of tomorrow. Many of the pieces in these documents are required by law for school districts to report to stakeholders.

At TiZA, we are preparing responsible citizens who are integrated into American society and contribute to it's improvement. This is in line with the vision of TiZA, to contribute to the building of a diverse, virtuous and moral America by helping children understand their stewardship role in the world. By our teaching, modeling and practice, we hope to embed in our students a sense of care, responsibility, and love.

In the 2008-09 school year we saw continued successes in student achievement, financial health and continued growth. In 2009 the NWEA tests ranked TiZA as the top school in the nation in math and reading. TiZA received the Growth Achievement Award from NWEA for exceptional student growth in 2009. In 2009, TiZA students achieved 92.5% proficiency in math and 72% in reading, while achieving an average annual growth of 1.6 years. TiZA has achieved Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) consecutively for the last five years. These successes are all the more notable because over 80% of our students live below poverty and over 70% have limited English skills.

TiZA has received the Education Commissioner's finance award two years in a

row. Less than 10% of Minnesota school districts qualified for this award in 2009.

TiZA now serves more than 500 students from 39 cities in the Twin Cities Metropolitan Area. These include: Andover, Anoka, Apple Valley, Blaine, Bloomington, Brooklyn Park, Burnsville, Champlin, Chanhassen, Columbia Heights, Coon Rapids, Cottage Grove, Eagan, Eden Prairie, Farmington, Fridley, Hastings, Hopkins, Inver Grove Heights, Lino Lakes, Little Canada, Maple Grove, Maplewood, Mendota Heights, Minneapolis, Moundsview, New Brighton, Newport, Oakdale, Ramsey, Rosemount, Saint Anthony, Saint Paul, Saint Paul Park, Savage, Shoreview, South St Paul, West Saint Paul, and Woodbury. Our students speak more than 10 different languages at home and trace their ancestry from more than 15 different countries.

The information in this report highlights the accomplishments of our talented students, dedicated faculty, hardworking parents, and exceptional supporters, and shows the results of their continued engagement with TiZA. These results can be seen in the increased academic successes of our students and the awards they generate. Thank you for your continued support of Tarek ibn Ziyad Academy. We look forward to partnering with you to help students learn today so they can lead tomorrow.

Sincerely,

Asad Zaman Executive Director

How to Contact TiZA Administration & Board of Directors Executive Director: Asad Zaman Board: Shaaban Aboubadria, Moira Fahey, Mohamed Farid, Mahrous Kandil (Chair), Emily Loose 4100 East 66th Street. Inver Grove Heights, MN 55076. 651-457-7072. info@ tizacademy.com

2009 State Test (MCA) Results At A Glance:

• TiZA District outperformed the state in math at all grades for the third year in a row

• TiZA, on average, matched the state performance in reading, although 70% of our students are English Language Learners (ELL)

• TiZA students outperformed the state in reading at grades 3, 5, 8

• TiZA achieved “AYP” status for the last 5 years.

• TiZA was listed at the top of the list for “Beating the Odds” by the Minneapolis Star Tribune for two years in a row.

• TiZA state test results were independently validated through MDE on-site monitoring and Caveon Data Forensic Analysis

• Over 80% of TiZA students qualify for free/reduced meals

• TiZA tests 100% of students

Focused on learning!

Highlights From State Tests in MCA Math Grade 3- TiZA ranked 4th in state out of 839 schools that tested at least ten students. Grade 4- TiZA ranked 28th in the state out of 836 schools that tested at least ten students. Grade 5- TiZA ranked 3rd in the state out of 812 schools that tested at least ten students. Grade 6- TiZA ranked 78th in the state out of 614 schools that tested at least ten students. Grade 7- TiZA ranked 58th in the state out of 492 schools that tested at least ten students. Grade 8- Fewer than 10 students took the test.

2009 MCAII Math: Percent of Students Proficient 2009 MTELL Math: Percent of Students Proficient 2009 MCAII Reading: Percent of Students Proficient

NBC Channel 11 KARE – October 6, 2009 “The school's academic testing results have been consistently high”

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Minneapolis Star Tribune – July 1, 2009 “According to a Star Tribune analysis of metro area schools, Twin Cities International Elementary charter school in Minneapolis and Tarek Ibn Ziyad Academy, a charter school with campuses in Inver Grove Heights and Blaine, do the best in math and reading, respectively, with high numbers of students living in poverty.”

Comparison of TiZA and State MCA-II results

Percent Met

Target

Percent

Exceeded

Target

Percent Met or

Exceeded

Target

TiZA Math 49.09% 8.18% 57.00%

State Math 41.50% 24.64% 66.14%

TiZA Reading 12.50% 21.88% 34.00%

2005 -

2006

State Reading 43.74% 41.89% 76.63%

TiZA Math 43.94% 24.24% 68.18%

State Math 39.60% 27.80% 67.40%

TiZA Reading 35.12% 22.02% 57.14%

2006 -

2007

State Reading 34.10% 36.59% 70.69%

TiZA Math 45.24% 41.67% 86.90%

State Math 41.11% 25.92% 67.03%

TiZA Reading 35.59% 34.68% 70.27%

2007 -

2008

State Reading 31.85% 38.84% 70.69%

TiZA Math 41.43% 51.43% 92.86%

State Math 41.53% 28.16% 69.69%

TiZA Reading 38.34% 33.60% 71.94%

2008 -

2009

State Reading 33.53% 37.99% 71.52%

2009 Student Academic Goals

o Tarek ibn Ziyad Academy will attain Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) in 2009.

o More than 80% of students in grades 3-8 will meet or exceed grade-level proficiency in Math and more than 70% of students in grades 3-8 will meet or exceed grade-level proficiency in Reading on the 2009 Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments (MCAIIs).

o Students in each grade level on average will attain or exceed typical growth in Reading and Math between the fall 2008 and the spring 2009 administrations of the Northwest Evaluation Association Measures of Academic Progress (NWEA MAP). This is considered to be attaining or exceeding “one year’s growth”.

Senator Jim Metzen visits TiZA TiZA teachers undergo continuous staff development focused on student achievement

All 2009 Student Academic Goals were acheived

� Tarek ibn Ziyad Academy attained Adequate

Yearly Progress (AYP) in 2009. � Tarek ibn Ziyad Academy students attained Math

MCA proficiency at 92.10% and 71.2% proficiency in MCA reading.

� All grade levels exceeded average growth norms in reading and math as measurement by the Northwest Evaluation Association Measures of Academic Progress (NWEA MAP). Overall, students made 1.6 years growth (160% of the national average growth).

Pioneer Press – January 27, 2009 “Tarek ibn Ziyad Academy carries out research-based ideas about helping immigrants become active, positive American citizens . . . TiZA's academic achievement is excellent.”

School Improvement Program

TiZA has been part of the Minnesota Quality Compensation (Q-Comp) System since 2006. TiZA’s approval for Q-Comp recognizes best practices in teacher compensation. Approximately 10% of Minnesota school districts qualify for Q-Comp. The TiZA school improvement goals are the same as the Q-Comp goals. Each consecutive year, our Q Comp school-wide goal has increased by one or two percentage points in reading and in math. TiZA administers the MCAII Reading Assessments to Grades 3-8, the MCAII & MTELL Mathematics Assessments to Grades 3-8 and the NWEA Assessments to all grades. TiZA is not required to take the Basic Skills Tests because only K-8 Grades are served. Data from formative assessments will be used to target areas in need of improvement as well as to emphasize individual student achievement and promote progress for all pupils.

Active learning in progress The percentage of all students in grades 3-8 at Tarek ibn Ziyad Academy who earn achievement levels of “Meets the Standards” or “Exceeds the Standards” on the Mathematics MCAII will increase from 79.29% to 82% in 2010. The percentage of all students in grades 3-8 at Tarek ibn Ziyad Academy who earn achievement levels of “Meets the Standards” or “Exceeds the Standards” on the Reading MCAII will increase from 71.93% to 73% in 2010.

All staff meetings will continue weekly to discuss implementation of best practices in discipline and instruction. Mentor and lead teachers will model best practices and meet at least once every two weeks with their grade level team to discuss implementation. Mentor and lead teachers will also ensure that all teachers are observed implementing best practices at a minimum of three times during the school year. The lead teacher will continue to coordinate benchmark assessments throughout the year to provide feedback to teachers on student progress toward meeting state standards. Four data review meetings will be held throughout the year. In the past five years all goals set for reading and math were met. Each year, our school improvement goal has increased by one or two percentage points in reading and math.

TiZA students prepare banners to welcome visitors

Minneapolis Star Tribune – July 3, 2008 “Despite having 50 percent or more of its students in poverty, Tarek ibn Ziyad Academy students had some of the highest scores in the state. Clearly, TiZA is doing something right.”

2009 Nationally Benchmarked Testing (NWEA)

• All classes exceeded one year growth in math

• All classes except one exceeded one year growth in reading

• TiZA students grew in math on average by 1.6 years in 2009

• TiZA students grew in reading on average by 1.8 years in 2009

• 83% of TiZA students met or exceeded the national average growth in math

• 78% of TiZA students met or exceeded the national average growth in reading

MN Representative Marsha Swails presents a “Student of the Year” award.

Grade Math

Growth

Math % met or exceeded

national average

Reading Growth

Reading % met or exceeded

national average

Inver Grove – K 120% 64% 160% 83%

Inver Grove – 1 130% 76% 130% 83%

Inver Grove – 2 130% 80% 90% 50%

Inver Grove – 3 160% 85% 160% 79%

Inver Grove – 4 140% 81% 200% 80%

Inver Grove – 5 190% 85% 260% 80%

Inver Grove – 6 160% 70% 160% 63%

Inver Grove – 7 160% 82% 300% 91%

Inver Grove – 8 220% 75% 270% 75%

Inver Grove – School Average

143%

78%

158%

76%

Blaine – K 190% 95% 200% 95%

Blaine – 1 140% 90% 170% 90%

Blaine – 2 130% 77% 150% 94%

Blaine – 3 160% 89% 170% 77%

Blaine - 4&5 200% 100% 250% 95%

Blaine School Average

160%

91%

182%

90%

TIZA District Average

147%

81%

164%

79%

Minnesota Public Radio – May 13, 2007 “The school's heavy emphasis on teaching English language learners to read paid off in last year's standardized test scores.”

TiZA Ranked #1 In The Nation By NWEA

Top Schools In The Nation Ranked By NWEA

District Name NWEA Score

Tarek ibn Ziyad Academy 70

Put-In-Bay Local School District 62

Platte River Academy 61

Annandale School District #876 59

Kasson-Mantorville School District 59

Bensenville School District #2 58

Columbus Public School District 57

SAU #23 57

National Heritage Academies – MI 54

ISD #622 North St. Paul, Maplewood, Oakdale 52

• 2009 NWEA Award recipients have used data at least one year prior to the year that they are being recognized for (2 yrs of enrollment) & have valid growth data for at least 65% of students enrolled

• NWEA score is based on a weighted average of percentage of target met. This is determined by calculating the actual number of students who met their growth target and calculating the district’s percent meeting target from that sum.

Independent Validation of TiZA Achievements

In an effort to validate the authenticity of the high test results of TiZA students, the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) conducted a surprise inspection to monitor the administration of the tests. MDE inspectors spent most of the day at TiZA. The letter to the right provides independent validation of the achievements of TiZA students.

To further validate the authenticity of the high test results of TiZA students, the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) hired “Caveon Test Security” to conduct a statistical analysis of the TiZA student tests. The report to the left provides further independent validation of the achievements of TiZA students. District 4099 is TiZA. School 010 is Inver Grove Heights. School 020 is Blaine.

Using Test Results To Impact Individualized Learning

Students make tremendous growth in the reading and math programs at Tarek ibn Ziyad Academy. The Northwest Evaluation Association Measures of Academic Progress (NWEA MAP) provide an assessment tool by which to identify areas for student improvement and to measure student growth. A longitudinal study of data from the NWEA MAP assessments indicate that most students enter TiZA below average and often far below their grade level peers, but gain on their peers and typically exceed the national average after a few years. NWEA Longitudinal Data: A cohort of 70 students in grades 5-8 were enrolled in Tarek ibn Ziyad Academy and participated in the NWEA over a three year period. They first took the test in fall of 2006 and last took the test in spring of 2009. In mathematics, these students scored on average at the 44th national percentile in fall of 2006. By spring of 2009, these same students scored on average at the 72nd national percentile. In reading, these students scored on average at the 36th national percentile in fall of 2006. By spring of 2009, these students scored on average at the 68th national percentile.

Composite Student Longitudinal Data Table

Subject

2006 Percentile Rank

2009 Percentile Rank

Math 44th 72nd

Reading 36th 68th

Individual Student Longitudinal Data Table

Student Name

2006 Percentile Rank

2009 Percentile Rank

Student 1 (Math) 1st 69th

Student 2 (Math) 5th 93rd

Student 3 (Math) 20th 84th

Student 4 (Math) 64th 98th

Student 5 (Reading) 9th 66th

Student 6 (Reading) 10th 85th

Student 7 (Reading) 31st 97th

Student 8 (Reading) 45th 94th Student names are confidential under the MN Data Privacy Act

The annual book fair encourages students to become lifelong learners.

Mindy Greiling. Chair. MN House Education Committee – May 7, 2008 “What I did see was excellent teachers hard at work in the classroom focused on improving student achievement.”

Visits to TiZA By Elected Officials Since inception, Tarek ibn Ziyad Academy has attracted the attention of many elected officials. Below is a list of Minnesota elected officials who have visited TiZA. 1. Lieutenant Governor Carol Molnau 2. Senator Jim Carlson 3. Senator Kevin Dahle 4. Senator Sharon Erickson Ropes 5. Senator Chris Gerlach 6. Senator Jim Metzen 7. Senator Gen Olsen 8. Senator Kathy Saltzman 9. Senator Chuck Weiger 10. Representative Joe Atkins 11. Representative Bobby Champion 12. Representative Matt Entenza 13. Representative Sondra Erickson 14. Representative Mindy Greiling 15. Representative Rick Hansen 16. Representative Marsha Swails 17. Mayor Tom Ryan (Blaine) 18. Mayor George Tourville (Inver Grove)

Senators, Representatives and Legislative Staff team visits TiZA

Senator Kathy Saltzmann and Rep Marsha Swails present end of year awards

Financial Overview Presented below is an overview of the sources and uses of funds at Tarek ibn Ziyad Academy. The 2009 numbers are unaudited, because we are required to issue the annual report in October, while the financial audit is required by December.

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Sources of General Funds 2009 (unaudited) 2008 2007 1. Local Sources 1.00% 1.80% 1.80% 2. State Sources 93.50% 92.70% 91.90% 3. Federal Sources 5.50% 5.40% 6.30%

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Uses of Funds 2009 (unaudited) 2008 2007 1. Instruction & Support 51.90% 51.60% 59.90% 2. Operations, Facilities, Maint. 33.60% 39.70% 27.40% 3. Student Transportation 6.10% 5.40% 6.20% 4. District Level Admin 8.40% 3.30% 6.50% Total Uses of Funds $4,557,721 $4,249,583 $2,791,180

Finance Award TiZA received the Commissioner’s Finance Award in 2008 and 2009. Award recognizes best practices in school finances & management. Only a small percentage of districts qualify for the award.

Additional Disclosures Parent Satisfaction Survey High levels of parent satisfaction were indicated in a 2006 comprehensive parent survey. All parents volunteer a minimum of one time per school year, with 38.4% volunteering one or more times per month. This is significant because most TiZA parents work two jobs.

TiZA parents meet teachers during open house. Students present to their peers during the assembly.

Other Required Disclosures

• TiZA has no site decision-making agreement.

• TiZA has no district advisory committee.

• The TiZA board has approved a Personal Development Plan (PDP) for the Executive Director.

• The TiZA Executive Director has approved a PDP for each board member and each individual in an administrative, supervisory, or instructional leadership positions.

• Each PDP mandates specific accomplishments in the areas of student growth, community relationships and organizational management. Each PDP will be implemented in the 2009-2010 school year and thereafter.

The mission of the Tarek ibn Ziyad Academy is to contribute to building a diverse, virtuous and moral America by helping children to understand their stewardship role in the world, embedding in them a sense of care, responsibility, love, leadership, civic participation,

citizenship, tolerance and cooperation.

Tarek ibn Ziyad Academy Public Charter School District #4099-07

4100 East 66th Street. Inver Grove Heights, MN 55076

651-457-7072 www.tizacademy.com

Tarek ibn Ziyad Academy offers services to students and employment to staff without regard to their nationality race, religion, gender or disability status.