Colorado's Unified Improvement Plan for Schools

Endeavor Academy UIP 2024-25

      
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Content


  • Document icons and definitions

  • Priority Performance Challenges
  • Root Cause
  • Major Improvement Strategies
  • Action Steps
  • Progress Monitoring
  • Trend Direction

Executive Summary


Priority Performance Challenges Root Cause Major Improvement Strategies
  • Student Graduation Benchmark Assessments (Math) Academic Growth
    		•
  • Math Accuplacer Benchmark Decrease
    		•
  • Math Benchmark Assessments
    		•
  • Professional Learning Teams
    		•
  • Professional Learning Teams Work
    		•
  • PLT Work
    		•


    Access the School Performance Framework here: http://www.cde.state.co.us/schoolview/performance

    Access the Literacy Curriculum Transparency Dashboard here: https://www.cde.state.co.us/code/literacycurriculumtransparency-dashboard

    Improvement Plan Information


    Additional Information about the school


    Endeavor Academy became an official Cherry Creek High School in 2015. Endeavor Academy is an Alternative Education Campus with over 90% of students meeting the criteria of being "At Risk" - as identified by CDE criteria. Enrollment is at 285 students but we serve 250 to 400 students yearly. Class sizes are capped at 18. This is the third year Endeavor Academy has been rated as a "Performance" school. The school does offer special programs to our students including credit recovery, work study, Independent PE, night school and Restorative Justice. Endeavor Academy has made significant growth over the last 3 school years. Specifically, our achievement and growth demonstrated through Accuplacer and WorkKeys is notable. The growth and achievement was due to a whole school literacy approach, all departments chose one literacy standard or one math standard to focus on throughout the year. Formative assessments were consistently implemented and departments reviewed progress. In addition, a "Teacher Partner" role and a "Model Classroom" were implemented. For the current school year, a district "Raise Coach" was assigned to the school. Administration made classroom observations a priority; 273 observations were conducted (to include formal and informal). Areas of strength where Endeavor Academy has met or exceeded expectations is in "Completion," and the alternative measure of "Credit Course Completion" rate. Endeavor Academy has a positive culture in which staff are committed to providing supports for students. In addition, there is a focus on the social-emotional aspect within the school. The school has three mental health providers, two academic counselors. This support has resulted in students returning to Endeavor Academy and a consistent "Completion" rate. Areas for improvement continue to be increasing attendance and decreasing the truancy rate. Many of the students who come to Endeavor are non-attenders at their home school or have stopped attending school previously. Re-engaging students to result in consistent attendance continues to be a challenge. Our current attendance rate is 81.7%. This is the first time an attendance score has been rated for the last few years. We will use this score as a baseline and continue to improve. This UIP has been created by the current leadership team, in conjunction with the Instructional Leadership Team. Endeavor Academy continues to work on holding high expectations for students and rigorous classroom teaching. We continue to build on school culture, strong relationships with students and the community and wrap around services. The overall ALT -SPF Score for Endeavor Academy decreased by over 8 points from last year. The school continues to set high expectations for all students and rigorous classroom teaching. We continue to prioritize supportive relationships with students. Endeavor did score lower this year on the "Student Drop Out Rate". We will continue to build relationships with student to improve student outcomes. Endeavor did lose points around our attendance rate. This is the first time since COVID-19 that attendance has been calculated. We will use the score from last year as a baseline and review next year. Endeavor did have a 3-point decline in our math growth data. This UIP will look to address that decline.

    Improvement Plan Information

    The school/district is submitting this improvement plan to satisfy requirements for (check all that apply):


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    Narrative on Data Analysis and Root Cause Identification


    Prior Year Targets

    Provide a summary of your progress in implementing the Major Improvement Strategies and if they had the intended effect on systems, adult actions, and student outcomes (e.g. targets).


    Based on your reflection and evaluation, provide a summary of the adjustments that you will make for this year's plan.

    Current Performance

    The school did see a drop in math scores last year - 2023 - 91.5% ''Exceeds'' - 2024 - 87.7% ''Meets''. As a school, we believe our students can exceed in math and we will work to return to the 'Exceeds' level.


    Creating strong PLT work at the school will help all students. Teachers will have a clear understanding of student progress and can provide steps to increase student success. PLT work will help the school identify trends, both positive and negative, that can be addressed. PLT work can lead to positive student outcomes. The use of data to identify students that are struggling academically will provide better outcomes for all students. This goal aligns with the district's goals to address disproportionality, and will support greater success for all students.

    Priority Performance Challenge and Associated Root Cause

    Priority Performance Challenge:  Student Graduation Benchmark Assessments (Math) Academic Growth

    Area of Focus: Math growth


    Root Cause: Math Accuplacer Benchmark Decrease

    Endeavor Academy did see a 3.8-point decrease on the Accuplacer Math exam. 2023 - 91.5% 2024 - 87.7% After talking with the team to discuss this decrease, we came up with the following causes: 1. Last year, one of the math teachers was out for Quarter 4. The Spring Assessment was given when she was out. Students may have been less motivated to take the test. 2. The math department and administration agreed to complete the spring assessment earlier compared to previous years. The team wanted to have assessment data to share during the end-of-year evaluation meetings. The earlier assessment time might have led to less time in the classroom to review material. This could have led to the decrease in test scores from the previous year.

    Root Cause Category: Instruction


    Priority Performance Challenge:  Professional Learning Teams

    Area of Focus: School/District Culture


    Root Cause: Professional Learning Teams Work

    Endeavor Academy has not developed consistent Professional Learning Teams or improved upon existing department teams. As a school, we have not created a strong PLT structure. This year we have already started with planning and creating common formative assessments and spiraling standards in all departments. Below are the steps the school will be taking to improve our PLC work. 1. Each department will select an English or Math standard to spiral into their content. 2. Each department will create 8 Common Formative Assessments based off the selected standard. 3. Each department will use the assessments during the quarter with each of their classes. 4. Using a common rubric, each department will score the assessments. 5. The data will be recorded, and each department will be able to understand if our students need re-teaching or extension activities. 6. The departments will be supported by an academic coach and an administrator. 7. From this data cycle, we will be able to better understand the needs of our students.

    Root Cause Category: Data Analysis

    Action and Progress Monitoring Plans

    Major Improvement Strategy and Action Plan

    > >

    PLT Work

    Describe the research/evidence base supporting the strategy:

    		PLT work is a highly successful process to improve school data and meet the needs of the students. Cherry Creek School District is committed to creating strong PLT work in every school. With additional training and support this work will be one of the schools Major Improvement Strategies. This year, the school has been provided a half-time academic coach that can help support this work in the school.

    Strategy Category:

    		Data Analysis & Reflection Practices

    Associated Root Causes:

    Professional Learning Teams Work: Endeavor Academy has not developed consistent Professional Learning Teams or improved upon existing department teams. As a school, we have not created a strong PLT structure. This year we have already started with planning and creating common formative assessments and spiraling standards in all departments. Below are the steps the school will be taking to improve our PLC work. 1. Each department will select an English or Math standard to spiral into their content. 2. Each department will create 8 Common Formative Assessments based off the selected standard. 3. Each department will use the assessments during the quarter with each of their classes. 4. Using a common rubric, each department will score the assessments. 5. The data will be recorded, and each department will be able to understand if our students need re-teaching or extension activities. 6. The departments will be supported by an academic coach and an administrator. 7. From this data cycle, we will be able to better understand the needs of our students.

    Implementation Benchmarks Associated with Major Improvement Strategy

    Benchmark Name Description Start/End/Repeats Key Personnel Status
    We expect to see each department answering the four questions around PLT work.

    		Principal, District Raise Coach, Instructional Leadership Team.

    Action Steps Associated with Major Improvement Strategy

    Name Description Start/End Date Resource Key Personnel Status
    a05PU0000031k2H
    		08/12/2024
    05/01/2025     		Administration/ Instructional Coach
    a05PU0000031k3t
    		08/12/2024
    05/01/2025     		Administration/ Instructional Coach
    > >

    Math Benchmark Assessments

    Describe the research/evidence base supporting the strategy:

    		Endeavor Academy has consistently scored in the "Exceeds" category over the last 2 academic years. We did see a decline this year. It is important that our students show growth in math for them to reach graduation. Having a strong testing system that can support students and provide information to teachers is vital. The team reviewed what might have caused the decrease last year and we are looking to make adjustments. Those will include more frequent checks for understand, new math curriculum in Algebra 1 and Geometry and spiraling standards in the department.

    Strategy Category:

    		Curriculum and Content

    Associated Root Causes:

    Math Accuplacer Benchmark Decrease: Endeavor Academy did see a 3.8-point decrease on the Accuplacer Math exam. 2023 - 91.5% 2024 - 87.7% After talking with the team to discuss this decrease, we came up with the following causes: 1. Last year, one of the math teachers was out for Quarter 4. The Spring Assessment was given when she was out. Students may have been less motivated to take the test. 2. The math department and administration agreed to complete the spring assessment earlier compared to previous years. The team wanted to have assessment data to share during the end-of-year evaluation meetings. The earlier assessment time might have led to less time in the classroom to review material. This could have led to the decrease in test scores from the previous year.

    Implementation Benchmarks Associated with Major Improvement Strategy

    Benchmark Name Description Start/End/Repeats Key Personnel Status
    By the end of 2025, we hope to see our academic growth improve to 90%.

    		Principal and Math Department

    Action Steps Associated with Major Improvement Strategy

    Name Description Start/End Date Resource Key Personnel Status
    a05PU0000034bbx
    		08/15/2024
    05/01/2025     		Principal, Math Department. Insructional Coach

    Progress Monitoring: Student Target Setting

    Priority Performance Challenge : Student Graduation Benchmark Assessments (Math) Academic Growth

    Performance Indicator:

    Measures / Metrics:
    ANNUAL
    PERFORMANCE
    TARGETS
    2024-2025: 2020-2025- 90% of students will meet the graduation benchmark and show growth.
    2025-2026:

    INTERIM MEASURES FOR 2024-2025:

    Priority Performance Challenge : Professional Learning Teams

    Performance Indicator:

    Measures / Metrics:
    ANNUAL
    PERFORMANCE
    TARGETS
    2024-2025: Departments will be provided time to meet and create the following: Each department will select a reading/writing or math standard that will be taught during the year. Departments will create 8 Common Formative Assessments. The assessments will be given twice each quarter. Departments will score the assessments and monitor student growth and needs. Extension and re-teaching activities can be planned to meet the needs of students. Staff will take part in a pre and post survey to measure the success of this target. The principal and PLT leaders will attend training to better support the staff.
    2025-2026:

    INTERIM MEASURES FOR 2024-2025:

    Attachments List

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