Exemplary Practices in Educational Leadership Conference
January 13, 2011
12:30 – 2:30 pm
Clovis Veteran’s Memorial District, Independence Room
Breakout session: Data into Action: How to use data to inform decision-making,
transform teaching and improve student outcomes
Session Co-facilitators:
 Marcy Masumoto, EdD, Central Valley Educational Leadership Institute, CSUF
 Linda Hauser, EdD, Kremen School of Education, CSUF
Session Presenters:
 Pedro Avila and Elaine Cash, West Hills Community College District
 Bill Baltazar and Sue Gomes, Delhi Unified School District, and Alicia Valenzuela
and Maria Salazar, Schendel Elementary School
 Monica Benner and Stacy Carrillo, General Grant Middle School, Kings Canyon
Unified School District
Overview of Session: Educational leaders with proven success at the elementary,
secondary and collegiate levels will discuss how they have used data to inform decisionmaking and organizational practices leading to changes in the organization, improved
instructional practices and/or student outcomes. They will share their experiences and
examples of what worked and what didn’t.
Time
12:30 – 12:40
12:40 – 1:00
1:00 – 1:10
1:10 – 1:30
1:30 – 1:40
1:40 – 2:00
2:00 – 2:10
2:10 – 2:25
2:25 – 2:30
Who
Marcy Masumoto
Linda Hauser
Pedro Avila
Elaine Cash
Linda Hauser
Bill Baltazar
Sue Gomes
Alicia Valenzuela
Maria Salazar
Linda Hauser
Monica Benner
Stacy Carrillo
Linda Hauser
Linda Hauser
All presenters
Marcy Masumoto
What
Session Overview and Introductions
Use of data to frame decision-making and action
Use of data for system planning and prioritizing at
WHCCD
Closing the Gap Project
Applying what we heard/learned and reflection
Use of data in Delhi Unified and at Schendel Elementary
to impact leadership mechanisms and inform district- and
school-level practices leading to improved teaching and
learning
Applying what we heard/learned and reflection
Use of data at the front line: specific data collected,
mechanisms of analysis and improvement strategies used
to change classroom instruction and student outcomes at
General Grant Middle School
Applying what we heard/learned and reflection
Question and answer period
Session closing and conference evaluation
West Hills Community College District
Presenters
Pedro Avila is the Vice Chancellor of Institutional Effectiveness for West Hills Community
College District. His work includes developing and leading the strategic planning process
for West Hills Community College District; identified as a best practice by the Western
Association of Schools and Colleges. Mr. Avila holds an MBA from Rockhurst University
and completed the Assessment Institute at Harvard University.
Pedro Avila, Vice Chancellor of Institutional Effectiveness
West Hills Community College District
Phone: (559) 934-2128
Email: PedroAvila@whccd.edu
Elaine C. Cash retired as Superintendent from Riverdale Joint Unified School District after
27 years in education. Her education career included experience as a classroom teacher,
elementary and high school principal, assistant superintendent of curriculum and
instruction, and 9 years as superintendent. During her years as superintendent, Riverdale
schools earned California Distinguished Schools’ recognition, and Riverdale High School
received the College Board National Inspiration Award in 2009. Her article, “A Change in
Beliefs Leads to A Change in Behavior … and Student Achievement” was published in the
National Staff Development Council, Journal of Staff Development, June 2010. In her
retirement Elaine works as a Licensed Renewal Leadership Coach, the Closing the Gap
Project Director for West Hills Community College, an adjunct professor for Fresno State
and an education consultant.
Elaine C. Cash, Education Consultant/Closing the Gap Project Director
West Hills Community College District
Phone: (559) 469-7470
Email: ecash@ecceducationgroup.com
Big Ideas
Five years ago West Hills Community College District developed and implemented a data
driven strategic planning process. Results from the process have lead to significant
improvements in student success, outreach efforts, improved services, and increased
efficiencies. Most important, the process has helped develop a culture of evidence among
WHCCD staff, faculty, and administrators.
As part of the Closing the Gap project, West Hills Community College is looking at the
specific courses that students are placed into as they enter the college. They are
evaluating if these align naturally to the course completion and performance in the K-12
system. They are exploring this data to determine the curriculum gaps that exist between
the CA Standards preparation and college entry preparation, and also assessing the levels
of rigor at which we are preparing the high school graduates who attend community
college.
Delhi Unified School District and Schendel Elementary School
Presenters
Bill Baltazar is Superintendent of Delhi Unified School District. Mr. Baltazar received his
BS Degree in Industrial Technology from CSU, Fresno and his Master Degree in Systems
Engineering from the University of Southern California. His educational experiences
include, 6-8th grade Teacher, High School Business Teacher, High School Counselor,
High School Vice-principal, Middle School Principal, Director of Secondary Education,
Assistant Superintendent of Personnel and Superintendent. Mr. Baltazar is a retired Air
Force veteran who served in Vietnam and was Director of Flight Management and
Simulations at the Pentagon. Along with his duties as Superintendent, he is the VicePresident of the Merced Chapter of ACSA, Co-Chair, Merced County P-16 Council and on
the Executive Committee of the Business-Education Alliance of Merced County (BEAM).
Bill Baltazar, Superintendent
Delhi Unified School District 9716 Hinton Avenue, Delhi, CA 95315
Phone: (209) 656-2000 ext. 1102 Email: bbaltazar@delhi.k12.ca.us
Sue Gomes is the Director of Curriculum and Instruction for Delhi Unified School District,
a Pre-K – 12 school district located in Merced County. Her responsibilities include
Categorical Programs reporting, monitoring the English Learner Program, the APIP Grant,
supervising standards based Curriculum and Instruction, and creating and coordinating
district certificated Professional Development. Mrs. Gomes is an ardent advocate of using
data to improve instructional practices to increase student achievement. During her 23
year career, she has worked as an Elementary Classroom Teacher, Mentor
Teacher/Support Provider, Literacy Coach, Elementary School Principal, and BTSA
Induction Director (Merced and Mariposa Counties). Mrs. Gomes holds a BS Degree in
Business Administration and Master’s Degree (with Distinction) in Education –
Administration and Supervision - from CSU, Stanislaus. Her professional affiliations
include serving on P-16 Council committees in Merced County and Secretary of the
Merced Chapter of ACSA.
Sue Gomes, Director of Curriculum and Instruction
Delhi Unified School District 9716 Hinton Avenue, Delhi, CA 95315
Email: sgomes@delhi.k12.ca.us
Phone: (209) 656-2000
Alicia Valenzuela has been Principal of Schendel School (preK-8) in Delhi Unified School
District for eleven years. She has assisted in restructuring the school three times with a
vision and mission to close the achievement gap and to give Schendel students the
education they deserve. Driven by data and a strong emphasis on instructional delivery
with a focus on English Learners led to success at Schendel. During her 39 years in
education, Ms. Valenzuela has been an Elementary Classroom teacher, Title I Remedial
Reading teacher, Mentor teacher, substitute teacher, Adult Ed. Teacher, Upward Bound
High School teacher, Migrant summer school principal and resource teacher, Mini-Corps
Coordinator, CSU Stanislaus student teacher supervisor, ELD part-time coordinator and
associate principal. Her experiences working with at-risk youth led to a desire to make a
difference in student’s lives. Ms. Valenzuela holds a B.S. from Sul Ross University in
Alpine, Texas and a M.A. in Administration and Supervision from CSU, Sacramento. At
last “a dream”, a passion, an obsession, became true as Schendel earned two prestigious
state awards: Title I AAA and the Distinguished Schools Award, as well as several county
awards.
Alicia Valenzuela, Principal, Schendel School
Delhi Unified School District 16114 Schendel Rd. Delhi, CA 95315
Phone: (209) 656-2040
Email: Alicia@delhi.k12.ca.us
Maria Salazar has been working for Delhi Unified School District since 1993. During her
time at the district she has served in many capacities. She began as the Director of
Health services and then became a third grade teacher for nine years. She decided to
take a chance to help outside the classroom and took the position of District ELD
Coordinator for two years. Finally, she made the leap into administration and took the
position of Associate Principal at Schendel Elementary for the last four years. She is
committed to the students.
Maria Salazar, Associate Principal, Schendel School
Delhi Unified School District 16114 Schendel Rd. Delhi, CA 95315
Email: msalazar@delhi.k12.ca.us
Phone: (209) 656-2040
Delhi Unified School District
Exemplary Practices in Education Leadership Conference
“Big Ideas” – Schendel School
Accomplishments: Schendel School received both the Title I Academic Achievement
Award and the California Distinguished School Award for 2009-2010. The school also
achieved an API score of 800 for 2009-2010 and a similar schools ranking of “10”.
In 2010 Schendel School received the 2nd place award in Merced County for English
Learner High Performer and breaking 800 API for the first time.
Initial Problem/Challenge: EL Achievement Gap - close the achievement gap in our
English learner subgroup and to stay out of Program Improvement while continuing the
sustainability of NCLB targets.
What data we have: Demographics - 62% English learners, 87% Hispanic, 9% White,
and 64% Socio-economic Disadvantaged, free and reduced lunch varies from 75%-89%.
2009-2010 - EL ELA AMO 44.2% EL Math AMO 53.5%.
What data tells us: In 2005 our English learner population API baseline was a
significantly low 639 compared to Schendel’s overall base API of 687. Our EL subgroup
was only 16.7% AYP proficient in ELA and 18.7% AYP proficient in math. This was
considerably below our school wide AYP proficiency level of 20.3% in ELA and 19.8% in
Math. Below are charts showing the growth Schendel made in ELA and Math. The charts
below show the gains in ELA and Math for Schendel School ELs from 2002-2009.
CST - MATH for English Learners
80
60
% 40
20
0
2002-03
2008-09
2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th 7th
Grade Levels
What tools or processes used to gather data: CSTs (Key Data Systems) Aeries SST’s,
District Benchmark Assessments, Reading Lions, CELDT Scores, classroom formative
assessments, and Data Driven Classroom (the main data management system for
gathering information needed for staff to examine data).
How do you use the data to make decisions, achieve vision: Raising the proficiency
levels of all students, especially our English Learners, became the focus of the
Implementation of Data Conferences, before, during, and afterschool interventions,
improved instructional strategies through EDI, Strategic Schooling, classroom
walkthroughs (teachers, site and district administrators), vertical and horizontal teacher
articulation, recognition of student achievement, targeting strategic and intensive students.
On a district level, the establishment of District Achievement and Instructional Norms,
Professional Development in EDI, Strategic Schooling, employment of K-8 Academic
Coaches, district grade vertical and horizontal articulation, Administrators Professional
Development through Educational and Leadership Team meetings, AB466 training,
General Grant Middle School,
Kings Canyon Unified School District
Reedley, CA
Presenters
Monica Benner is a third year principal at General Grant Middle School, Kings Canyon
Unified School District, in Reedley, CA. Mrs. Benner has worked at the school for 15
years, and has held positions of teacher 7th grade ELA/Social Studies Core and 8 grade
Algebra Prep., and Learning Director. GGMS has gone from 552 API in 2000 and was a
PI 4 school to now API of 798 and exiting PI. Mrs. Benner has been involved with the
change process in the school including creation of data teams, EDI strategies and focused
intervention. Mrs. Benner holds a Bachelor's degree in liberal studies from Fresno State, a
teaching credential from Fresno Pacific University, and an administrative
credential/Master’s Degree from National University. She has lived in the Reedley area for
32 years, is married with two sons, two daughter-in-laws, and one grandson.
Monica Benner, Principal
General Grant Middle School, Kings Canyon USD
(559) 305-7330
benner-m@kcusd.com
Stacy Carrillo is a teacher and academic coach at General Grant Middle School. Mrs.
Carrillo has worked at the school for 8 years, and has taught of 6th and 7th grade
ELA/Social Studies Core. She is helping to improve teachers’ instruction and students’
learning by providing Explicit Direct Instruction coaching and assisting teachers with data.
Mrs. Carrillo holds a Bachelor's degree in liberal studies and a teaching credential from
Fresno State. She lives in Dinuba with her husband and two sons, ages 6 and 3.
Big Ideas
Major elements of this school’s success include:
 Setting school-wide goals
 Teacher level use of data – data chats, data binders
o EDI Instructional strategies
o Walk-through data
 Student data and goals
o based on district benchmarks
o interventions on standards
o special strategies for English Learners
o writing focus
General Grant Middle School
Data Snapshot