Cunningham Continuous School Improvement Plan 2007-08
Executive Summary
 

Information


Leroy Taylor Cunningham Elementary School, a TEA Acceptable School, has remained a neighborhood school since its opening in the fall of 1953.  Located in the Gulfton area and originally built in a community of single-family homes, the surrounding community is today made up predominantly of businesses and apartment complexes.  Cunningham has an enrollment of 694 students served in thirty-five self-contained classrooms in grades pre-kindergarten through five.

We focus on the students’ individual needs by providing a variety of programs before during and after school such as instructional interventions – math, reading, science, and mentors. Continuing education programs for parents are provided so that they will model to their children how to become lifelong learners. Programs  include books/breakfast, family night, ESL/nutrition, computer classes.

Our goal is to develop every student’s academic and personal growth.

 Demographics
Cunningham’s student population based on 2006-07 data is 92% Hispanic, 6% African American, 1% White, and 1% Asian.  The majority of the students reside within a two mile radius of the school in apartments and low-income housing.  Many are recent immigrants or are first generation American citizens from South and Central America, Europe, Asia, and African countries.  The largest and still growing populations come from Mexico, Honduras, El Salvador, and Guatemala and add to the growing Limited English Proficient (LEP) population which already makes up 74% of the students at Cunningham.  School is important to Cunningham’s families as indicated by a 96% attendance rate.  Mobility has steadily decreased over the last five years to an all-time low of 16%.

Mission
All stakeholders will work together to develop lifelong learners.

Vision
The vision of the L. T. Cunningham Elementary School is to maintain an environment in which the students, teachers, and staff enjoy a positive self-concept and commit to lifelong learning. 

Values
Parents, community, teachers, staff, work together to develop every student’s academic and personal growth necessary to produce responsible members of a multicultural society.

 

Analysis
1. Academic strengths - Writing 96% Reading 83%
2. Areas for Improvement - Math 75% Science 55%

SMART Goals
Science – Fifth grade students including all student groups passing the 2008 Science TAKS Test will increase by 8%.

Math - Students in grades third through fifth including all student groups passing the 2008 Math TAKS Test will increase by 5%.

Reading - Students in grades third through fifth including all student groups passing the 2008 Reading TAKS Test will increase by 5%.

Quality Planning

1.      Programs – To strengthen our PLCs, additional planning time for data analysis and developing common assessments, conducting peer observations has been structured into the schedule.

2.      Processes for intervention will include the addition of a reading intervention specialist and coach.  Math intervention will be strengthened with Neufeld Math – 3/5, Tutorials, and  Homework Assistance mornings.

3.      Professional Development –Currently scheduled professional development include 2007 Texas State Summit – “PLC at Work”, Science/Reading and Math/Science staff dev. PDS, Rice Model Lab Training.  Information and strategies from these opportunities will be shared with the entire faculty.

Partnerships include Rice University Mentors, Chevron Mentors, The Junior League.

 

Continuous Improvement and Evaluation

1.  Common Assessments – Teachers will be given an extra 45 minute planning period to write common assessments weekly. Assessments will be given and data analyzed bimonthly.

2.  Authentic assessments (Bench Mark Test, TAKS Release, and Access for Math) will be given four times during the 2007-08 school year. (two per semester).

Action Goals