TRIO Wolf Creek - Wolf Creek Online High School

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www.triowolfcreek.com
This report uses data collected over the period of
7/1/2010 through 6/30/2011
TRIO Wolf Creek Distance Learning Charter School #4095
2010-2011
Student Accountability Report
2010-2011 Student Accountability Report respectfully submitted: October 1, 2011
to the Minnesota Department of Education and our authorizing agent of Chisago
Lakes Public Schools.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
School Mission Statement......................................................................................................4
Operational Performance .......................................................................................................4
Authorizer Information ..........................................................................................................6
Finances .................................................................................................................................7
Student Enrollment ................................................................................................................9
Student Attrition.....................................................................................................................9
Staff Information ....................................................................................................................11
Management/Administration .................................................................................................12
Governance ............................................................................................................................13
Academic Program (Innovative Practices) ............................................................................15
Areas for Improvement/Program Challenges ........................................................................16
Accountability Data ...............................................................................................................17
Future Plans ...........................................................................................................................18
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TRIO Wolf Creek Distance Learning Charter School #4095
2010-2011
Student Accountability Report
Appendix Information
Financial statements including budget and fiscal statements
Admissions documents including application and OLL policy
MDE report card (page 1)
Nonprofit status
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TRIO Wolf Creek Distance Learning Charter School #4095
2010-2011
Student Accountability Report
I.
SCHOOL MISSION STATEMENT
TRIO Wolf Creek Distance Learning Charter School’s mission is to
provide students with a personalized, rigorous, technology based, and
flexible high school education emphasizing accountability, higher-level
thinking, and communication skills to prepare students for the future.
Our mission is reviewed annually for accuracy at the board of directors’ retreat. At this time all
members of the board reviewed and analyzed our adherence to the mission statement. Several
changes did occur from our previous mission statement.
In addition to our mission driving decision-making at our school, we use our motto of “Learning
Any-time-Anywhere" to help ensure that we are making quality online learning opportunities
available for all students who attend our charter school.
SCHOOL PHILOSOPHY/Operational Practices
Our school is based on a “small community” school philosophy. The maximum number of
students at full capacity will be 200 students. Our philosophy includes the belief that each
student, even if they have not been successful in a traditional school setting, will make
significant progress with us. This progress will be led by one caring individual who helps them
in academic, as well as, non-academic areas of their lives. This caring individual is called a
Learning Manager and is the center of the model on which we base our educational program.
Learning Managers use what is referred to as and IGP (Individual Graduation Plan) to help
students gain credits, create Basic Skills Testing (BST) and MCA II score goals, create shortterm and long-term goals and to think about their future. Our small school philosophy is shown
in our student-to-teacher ratio of twenty-five students per Learning Manager. We believe that
small numbers allow each Learning Manager to build a long-lasting relationship with each of
their students. We also believe that each student must begin to make progress from where they
begin, and that progress will be self-paced for each individual. Some of our former students
have seen their graduation dates pass where others graduate early. We work with each student
on an individual basis, starting from where they came from and taking them to where they want
to go.
Our school philosophy is embedded in day-to-day interactions with students, parents, staff, and
the community; as well as being evident in all working documents for our school. Our
philosophy is reflected by the governing body of our school board in all financial decisions.
We work with the larger online learning community in the state and across the nation to help
ensure that we are providing research based educational practices for our students. Our charter
school is a member of both MNOLA Minnesota Online Learning Alliance (MNOLA) and
National Online Learning Alliance (NACOL). We pride ourselves on being one of the first
online learning programs in the state and one of the most respected. We are not the largest
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TRIO Wolf Creek Distance Learning Charter School #4095
2010-2011
Student Accountability Report
online learning program, nor do we enroll the most students but we feel that we truly touch each
student who enrolls with us.
HISTORY
TRIO Wolf Creek Distance Learning was established in 1996 and was first a part of the public
school system in the Chisago Lakes School District. From the beginning, the program was
focused on using innovative ways to teach students by leveraging the latest technology. We
were one of the first online learning programs in the state of Minnesota and continue to be a
leader in online learning policy innovations in the state.
Our first three years we were a part of Chisago Lakes Schools. We operated with the distinction
of being executed by a state grant called TRIO (Technology Regional Integration Organization).
When the grant ended we were a “school within a school program” for Chisago Lakes for several
years. It became apparent that working within the confines of the public school was a hindrance
at times. Eventually the decision to become a charter school became clear. In 2002 we officially
opened as a charter school sponsored by Chisago Lakes Schools. This sponsoring arrangement
was very beneficial to the Wolf Creek Charter School as we first began as a charter school entity.
Our charter school has experienced a sponsoring relationship unlike many sponsor relationships
in the state. For example, our sponsor has aided us by providing invaluable financial, as well as,
leadership consultation while still allowing us to be an autonomous entity. We have evolved
from an alternative program into a highly successful charter school. In addition, we have
expanded from a handful of students to serving over one hundred students during a school year.
For additional information on school history please see Appendix Pages.
CHARACTERISTICS OF OUR SCHOOL
TRIO Wolf Creek Distance Learning is an online learning high school serving grades 9-12.
Students entering our program understand that approximately 80% of their work will be
completed at a distance from a physical school building. We are the only hybrid online high
school in the state of Minnesota and feel that we are producing quality online curriculum for
students while still allowing them flexibility. Many high school students in full-time online
schools lack motivation to get the work completed completely online at a distance so our hybrid
model has students working 20% of the time in our lab space for more structure and support.
The other work is independent and can be completed from home. This work can be completed
using a variety of materials including a personal computer with internet access, educational
websites and online curriculum, etc. Most students complete their work at their home but other
students may complete work at a public library or other location. The other 20% of their school
work is completed in our school which is often referred to as the “Computer Lab”. In the
computer lab setting, students find opportunities to socialize with other students, as well as, meet
face-to-face with Learning Managers.
Our self-paced philosophy is evident in the flexibility of our course outlines. We do not have
assignments due on a daily basis but rather on a weekly basis. Some students desire to work late
at night, while other students may work on the weekends but take Monday morning off for
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TRIO Wolf Creek Distance Learning Charter School #4095
2010-2011
Student Accountability Report
personal reasons. If the student is able to complete his/her schoolwork and still schedule time for
other responsibilities then TRIO Wolf Creek may be the program for them. We offer weekly
deadlines and consequences for not completing work on a weekly basis which many students
need. But, we also offer the flexibility that many students crave.
For some students the flexibility of our program is highly motivating. Some students would
rather see the entire course outline instead of just one assignment at a time handed out by a
teacher on a daily basis. Some students are able to complete work at a faster pace than they were
able to complete at a traditional high school. Most students find our curriculum easy to
understand and highly motivating.
Students in our program must be independent and self-motivated. When we encounter a student
who does not possess these qualifications, their Learning Manager will work with them to
personalize the course outlines to accommodate their needs. These students may require weekly
or even daily goals. Each student works on an individual plan to meet their individual goals.
Weekly monitoring by parents is also crucial to student success. Parent involvement is essential
for success as an online learner even in the high school grades. We try to involve parents in a
variety of ways through communication at conference meetings, open houses, newsletters,
charter school board and committee meetings, telephone and e-mail communications.
ACCREDIATION: CITA and NCA
We are accredited by both Commission on International and Trans-regional Accreditation
(CITA) and North Central Accreditation (NCA). We have reviewed our accountability with both
accrediting institutions per their specifications on the review cycle for continued accreditation.
We have both accountability documents available for review on our website at
triowolfcreek.com.
We are the only accredited online high school in the state of Minnesota and are proud of the
efforts that this accreditation process took. We are held accountable on a yearly basis by
supplying information to both organizations to continue our accreditation.
MN Department of Education Certification
We are also a certified provider of online learning courses in the state of Minnesota as designated
by the Minnesota Department of Education.
II. AUTHORIZER INFORMATION
Authorizer Name: Chisago Lakes Area Schools ISD #2144
Authorizer Liaison: Heide Miller
hmiller@chisagolakes.k12.mn.us or 651-213-2010
Contract expiration June 30, 2016
Chisago Lakes Schools is an approved authorizer through a rigorous MDE process. They
currently only authorizer our charter school and provide a great deal of oversight. They attend
monthly board meetings and stay in close contact with school policies via the board minute and
meetings. These board meetings with 100% attendance from the authorizer liaison in the 10-11
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TRIO Wolf Creek Distance Learning Charter School #4095
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Student Accountability Report
school year represents our #1 communication tool with the authorizer. An annual interview with
staff and students occurs in May of each year and constant reporting via documents such as this
annual report are provided on a monthly basis to the authorizer.
Our sponsor Chisago Lakes School ISD #2144 has been supportive of all of our efforts as a
charter school. This three year charter with our sponsoring agent was renewed on July 1, 2011
when it expired. Chisago Lakes Schools did complete a rigorous process with MDE to become a
certified authorizer and takes this responsibility very seriously. All necessary information on our
sponsor agreement was submitted to MDE in a timely manner.
We have a very close relationship with our sponsoring agent due to the fact that we contract with
them for specific services which include:
Business services
Payroll services
Technology services
Special Education services-including Director and School Psychologist
All legislative requirements were fulfilled to contract with our authorizer as laid out in the 2009
changes to the charter school law when the services contract expired on July 1, 2011. All
documents on adherence are available from the charter school director for review purposes upon
written request.
SCHOOL FINANCE
Business Manager
Heide Miller
(651)213-2010
hmiller@chisagolakes.k12.mn.us
Chisago Lakes Area Schools
13750 Lake Blvd.
Lindstrom MN 55045
Wolf Creek maintains a healthy fund balance and has shown to have a track record of superior
fiscal management. Please see fiscal documents located in the appendix of this report from more
detail on financial matters.
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TRIO Wolf Creek Distance Learning Charter School #4095
2010-2011
Student Accountability Report
AUDIT INFORMATION
In the finance section of this document you will find a current budget and fiscal statements for
review. Due to the Excel format of these documents you will see them as additional documents
accompanying this document.
ABDO, EICK & MEYERS, LLP
Certified Public Accountants & Consultants
5201 Eden Avenue, Suite 370
Edina, Minnesota 55436
952.715.3017 Direct Line
952.835.9090 Phone
952.835.3261 Fax
www.aemcpas.com
Audit comments not yet available as audit is still being conducted as of September 27, 2011.
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TRIO Wolf Creek Distance Learning Charter School #4095
2010-2011
Student Accountability Report
III. ENROLLMENT/ATTRITION
Number of Students Enrolled -
Grades
9th
10th
11th
12th
Total
2007-08**
2008-09
Total # served
all year
2009-2010
2010-2011
14
17
52
61
144
18
31
50
130
229
16
37
48
201
302
22
35
57
158
272
The trend at Wolf Creek is that we continue to serve a large number of students each year, who
are highly mobile. In most years our ADM projections are only raising slightly due to the fact
that many students attend for only a quarter or two. These attendance fluctuations are due to a
variety of factors. Some examples include students who only need a few credits to graduate or
who attend due to a medical condition that needs only a few quarters to alleviate it. Our purpose
for these students is to serve them for a short period of time and allow them to return to a more
traditional setting at some point. The vast majority of students at Wolf Creek do not complete all
4 years of high school with us or complete all coursework with us and we feel that is an
advantage for students to experience both traditional and online methods in their high school
careers. We feel strongly that we continue to serve a need in our rural community of Chisago
Lakes and at-large across the state of Minnesota to offer accredited online availability for all
students in need of course work, even if that need is only for a short period of time.
Attrition Rates:
As stated above attrition rates are very difficult to calculate based on the fact that many students
come to Wolf Creek for a short period of time or for only a few courses needed at that time.
Using the calculation of students who were with us as of Oct 1st 2010 and still with us on the last
day of school in June of 2011 that number leads us to an attrition rate of the following:
Rate 64%. State rate of students transferring out of district 31%
Supplemental Services:
We are one of the few charter schools that are offering online supplemental services and so we
are reporting the supplemental numbers here. Supplemental enrollment means that a student is
enrolled in a different Minnesota school district and is taking only a few courses at Wolf Creek
to supplement their schedule. Students may be enrolling in this option to supplement a PSEO
schedule or to work around a scheduling conflict in a bricks and mortar school. Other reasons
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Student Accountability Report
include needed an abbreviated schedule in a bricks and mortar school due to medical reasons or
after school activities, or being able to fulfill outside obligations such as being a teen parent.
One reason for this decline is the legislative changes that allowed supplemental students to only
take 50% of their enrolled credits with a certified OLL provider. In previous years many
supplemental students took more courses with us and were still considered supplemental
students. For more information see the OLL Annual report we submitted to MDE in July of this
year.
SUPPLEMENTAL STUDENT NUMBERS
2005-06
100 courses provided on a supplemental basis
2006-07
130 courses provided on a supplemental basis
2007-08
43 courses provided on a supplemental basis
2008-09
66 courses provided on a supplemental basis
2009-10
83 Courses provided on a supplemental basis
2010-11
84 courses provided on a supplemental basis
Admissions Data
We did not have a waiting list for the 2010-2011 school year and application materials can be
found in the appendix section of this document.
Demographics
Criteria
Eligible for Free/Reduced Lunch
Student Percentage (based
on 2007 data)
20.6% (combined)
English Language Learners
0%
Special Education Students
At-Risk Students
11.7%
71%-75% *
*As is evident from our data we serve a large at-risk population that includes pregnant
and parenting teens. We provide a teen parenting class and support. This data was
gathered using MN statute definitions for the Charter School Facilities grant in 2008.
Free and reduced populations increased slightly from the previous year in eligibility.
This is due to more students coming to lab to participate in the lunch program and the
state of the economy for all families in Minnesota. Serving an at-risk population who at
times will have more flexible work condition may also indicate that these populations are
the first laid off in some situations. We continue to work to have all students, whether
they take lunch at school or not, complete the paperwork so that good data can be used
for title funding and other purposes.
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TRIO Wolf Creek Distance Learning Charter School #4095
2010-2011
Student Accountability Report
IV. TEACHING STAFF INFORMATION
Licensed teachers
2009-2010
Name
File #
Assignment
11-12 Status*
Social Studies
Years
at
TWC
9
Tracy Quarnstrom
Director
Brenda Swanson
Dean of Students
349108
348443
Life Sciences
9
R
Laura Welciek
1/2011-6/2011
Returning employee from
past employment.
Cassie Gaede
415697
Math
3
R
426261
Social Studies
4
Kelly Legg
419415
Special
Education
4
NR
8/2010
NR
8/2010
406560
Language
Arts
5
Stacy Bender
Jessie Shores
12/1/2010-6/2011
434328
Language
Arts
1
R
Michelle Lange
12/15/2010-4/1/2011
424570
Social
Studies
1
NR
4/1/2011
Life Sciences
4
R
R
Lindsay Jarombek
437249
R
NR
12/2010
Sandra Flint
Emily Stull
421010
426852
Mathematics
Visual Art
6
4
Becki Olseen
Hanna Coleman
444919
435602
2
1
R
R
R
Dave Thomas
426714
Social Studies
Chemistry
Physics
Special
Education
1
NR
*R = Return; NR = Not Return
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TRIO Wolf Creek Distance Learning Charter School #4095
2010-2011
Student Accountability Report
Please note that non-returning staff are noted with a start date or resignation date and were not
employed with Wolf Creek for the entire term of the date of the annual report. Staff that chose to
not renew at-will contracts were noted as having full employment during the dates of
employment.

Calculate the licensed teacher percentage turnover rate:
2009-2010:
[Non-returning teachers/total teachers X 100] = 30%
 Trends in Staff turnover
We had some staff turnover in the 2010-2011 school year. Higher turnover rates this year are
attributed to the following: three resignations due to promotions at other schools due to advanced
degrees and turn-over in enrollment numbers that lead to hiring of more staff during the year. It
should also be noted that several employees show resigned in August were also counted in our
turnover rate for last year inadvertently so that rate was higher than normal for last year and is a
duplicate count. All employees who left were given an opportunity to participate in an exit
survey and all expressed that they enjoyed their time at Wolf Creek and the working conditions
and promotions in other online institutions took them to new opportunities.
Wolf Creek is well aware that continuity in staff is important for students and online
program success and we are striving for that at all times.
Wolf Creek continues to hard to implement mentor programs and to create written staff manuals
in the past years for a better retention program at our charter school.
It is acknowledged that it is difficult to retain staff when we are known as a highly reputable
school and other online schools attempt to take staff from us on a regular basis, especially startup online schools.
Management and Administration
Tracy L Quarnstrom is the Director of the Wolf Creek Online High School and has been the
director since the opening of the school in June of 2002. The continuity of leadership in the
charter school has led to amazing results for the school. Tracy does hold both a Minnesota K12
principal license and a superintendent licensure, both obtained from Hamline University. It is
the belief of the charter school that the knowledge obtained with these degrees has greatly
benefitted the charter school in many ways.
Professional Development Plan for Charter School Director is not required due to Director
Tracy L Quarnstrom having a superintendent licensure with the state of Minnesota. Please
consult file folder number349108
Brenda A Swanson also a founding charter board member has served as the Dean of Students
with the charter school also since its opening in June of 2002.
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TRIO Wolf Creek Distance Learning Charter School #4095
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Both of these people in the staff chart above teach in the school and hold valid teaching
licensure. Location for file folder numbers and other needed information is found in above staff
information chart.
Looking at other charter schools and turnover rates in the administration makes this a unique
situation in this charter school environment.
V. GOVERNANCE
Our school board is made up of ten members. Each board member is referred to as a director of
our school board. Along with board membership the following officers are elected at the annual
meeting each year from among those duly elected directors
 Chair
 Vice-Chair
 Clerk/Treasurer
Our annual meeting for this year was held on September 14, 2010. At that time, some of the
following positions were up for election; others will be up for election this year on the rotating
schedule.
Board of Education Members - Beginning on 9/14/2010.
For information on positions from 7/1/2010-9/14/2010 please consult our previous annual
report.
Board
Member
Board Position
Election Date
Date Seated
Term Length
Mark
Anderson
Member
Community at
Large rep
Member
Teacher rep
Sept 14, 2010
Sept 14, 2010
1 year position
Sept 15, 2009
Sep 15, 2009
2 year position-Vice Chair
Sept 14, 2010
Sept 14, 2010
2 year position
Sandra Flint
Lindsay
Jarombek
Member
Teacher rep
Terri Kraiter Member
Parent rep
Becki
Olseen
Member
Teacher rep
Karen Paul
Member
Parent rep
October 2011
Report
Sept 14, 2010
Sept 14, 2010
1 year position
Sept 14, 2010
Sept 14, 2010
2 year position
Sept 14, 2010
Sept 14, 2010
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Student Accountability Report
Sheryl
Palmquist
Brenda
Swanson
Jeff Vitali
Lisa Frost
Member
Community at
large ( can be
staff overlap
position)
Secretary
Treasurer
Teacher rep
Member
Chair
Community at
large ( nonstaff-nonparent)
position
1 community
at –large
position (staff
or parent
eligible)
1 year position-resigned effective May 2011
Sept 14, 2010
Sept 14, 2010
2 year position
Sept 15, 2009
Sep 15, 2009
2 year position-Secretary/treasurer
Sept 14, 2010
Sept 14, 2010
2 year position=Chair
Sept 16, 2010
Sept 16, 2010
1 year position
Note: We only began collecting new board contact information in the format that MDE requires
as of our election in September 2010 a full Excel sheet of other information is included as an
addendum to this report.
The 2010-11 board election was certified on September 14, 2010
It is important to note that after changes to the 2009 Charter School Law that the board of
directors at Wolf Creek chose to no longer hold a teacher majority and also added some
position in order to be in full compliance with the new law.
School board attendance for the 2010-2011 school year was 83%. Based on school board
minutes we were missing very few members in any meetings. We only meet once a month and
for a period of approximately 2 hours in duration. Even though some members were excused
from meetings for required board trainings or other needed school business these absences were
noted as absences in our data pull. Of 105 attendance data points, 95 points were present-points
and 20 points were absent-points which equals 83% attendance for the board from the period of
July 1, 2010-June 30, 2011.
Wolf Creek’s board is highly committed to attending and participating in meetings and they are
thanked for their commitment to Wolf Creek in this manner.
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VI. ACADEMIC PROGRAM (INCLUDING INNOVATIVE PRACTICES)
OLD DATA-NEW DATA NOT YET PUBLIC AND AVAILABLE
In addition in our Quality Compensation goal of reading the following was true:
According to the School Report Card, the percentage of grade 10 students passing the GRAD
portion increased from 65.21% in 2010 to 81.81% in 2011.
Innovative Practices Section
TRIO Wolf Creek Distance Learning Charter School is the only certified NCAA, CITA, and
NCA online school in Minnesota.
We are the only hybrid high school option and continue to be a school where there are no MDE
errors or omissions.
Our work is innovative in nature (even though it has not changed since 2002) because as an
online entity we don’t feel that online learning should encompass 100% of the school day for all
students. We believe that some students can learn 100% online while others may need to come
to campus for part of the week to be successful in the online arena.
Based on the OLL audit conducted by the legislative auditors and release in September of 2011 it
appears that full-time online students continue to not complete work or perform as well as peers
who are engaged in traditional course work only part of their day or part of their week-which
again leads to the need to replicate this hybrid model for other online schools. The audit cited
the areas of mathematics and course completion as areas for concern for online students.
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In addition to our online components we have worked to increase options in our face to face
components including adding an artist in residence with online features and a
gardening/horticulture class. We are working to offer the best in hands on face to face
components while in lab and best in multimedia components for students when they work off
campus on the computer. This is the nature of our innovative practices. We want to be the best
hybrid online experience in MN and that is not easy and does not allow for huge enrollment
numbers but it does allow us to show true progress in this area.
VII
PROGRAM CHALLENGES
Our largest challenge is mobility of students. We have students who start with us and we take a
considerable amount of time in preparing credit checks and requesting records. After that they
participate in a startup meeting called IGP( Individual Graduation Plan) with their Learning
Manager. After that some students stay with us only a short period of time such as a week and it
is discouraging for all of us to put so much work into the process.
Another area of concern for at-risk students continues to be the completion rate of courses and
amount of time that students are committed to working productively as online learners. Using
the hybrid model and finding a balance between requiring students to come into lab and allowing
them the flexibility of online learning is always a challenge. It is the belief at Wolf Creek that
this is not only a challenge for us but for all OLL providers. Again this was mentioned in the
OLL audit as an issue and based on INACOL data is an issue nationwide for online learners. At
some point in the future it is our hope that MDE will form a task force to investigate this
challenge as online options grow in the state of Minnesota.
See report at www.inacol.org
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VIII. ACCOUNTABILITY DATA
ACCOUNTABILITY MEASURES
ACADEMIC and NONACADEMIC GOALS FOR 2010-2011 SCHOOL YEAR
Academic Goals
Goals
Results for
2009-10
Success will be
measured scores
on the MCA II’s
and other
standardized
testing
66% of
students will
meet the
proficient
goal in
reading grad
or retest
We met and
exceeded this
goal based on
MDE prelim
data. Final data
not yet
available.
Percent of students
who meet the
graduation credit
requirements
75% of
seniors (by
credit
definition)
will meet this
goal.
41% using
TWC credit
definition
66% using state
report card.
Indicators of
Success and Data
Source
Goals
Results for
2009-10
A. Be active participants in the
IGP process.
Percent of
students who
complete OTIS
credit for all 4
terms. Or the
number total
terms enrolled.
75% will
meet the goal
75% of students
are completing
this goal at this
time, with minor
fluctuations in
LM numbersthis is an
average
B. Have a post-secondary plan.
Percent of
students with a
post-secondary
plan in place as
evidenced by
report of LM
data.
100% of
those on
target to
graduate will
meet the goal.
50% of students
currently meet
this goal based
on LM input on
survey data.
A. Demonstrate proficiency in
reading, writing, and math
across the curriculum.
Our focus for 2009-2010 was
on reading through Q comp.
The other goals were met
when AYP was met.
B. Meet TWCs graduation credit
requirements by June of 2010 in
order to participate in
graduation.
Non-Academic Goals
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Indicators of
Success and Data
Source*
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Remarks on Academic Goals
A. We are proud of the preliminary data that shows us meeting and exceeding this goal. We
would like our new goal here to be consistent with our Q comp goal for reading tests
when approved by MDE in the fall of 2011.
B. Wolf Creek’s graduation rate is calculated using our data and also state report card data.
We continue to strive to reach our goal of consistently reaching 75% graduation rate for
our at-risk and highly mobile youth each and every year.
Remarks on Non-Academic Goals
A. Be active participants in IGP Plan. This goal is important to use and one goal we strive
to improve each and every year.
B. Please also see the Post-Secondary plan student/parent survey data for input from parents
on how Wolf Creek is implementing post-secondary plans. We would like to change our
goal for the 2011-2012 school year in this area to be a goal of 75% student completion
and participation in post-secondary plans as reported by LMs on a survey document.
This will allow us to incrementally work to 100% over the next 5 years.
A. FUTURE PLANS
The longevity of Wolf Creek as a small and reputable online school is shown in our history
document - attached in Excel format.
Our future plans include the ability to expand to another 50 students but still remain a small
online community. We are hoping to expand our enrollment in grades 9-10 instead of always
having a large number of graduating seniors which we need to replace with new students via
marketing each and every year.
We would hope to add a few more teachers and even possibly a lab monitor full time to help
with supervision in the lab/campus setting. One note from our June 2010 student and parent
surveys was a request to see more lab hours available on campus and that is something our
school board is currently investigating at this time.
We will continue to strive to be seen as the most reputable and accountable online entity in the
state of Minnesota for years to come.
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2010-2011 Student Accountability
TRIO Wolf Creek Distance Learning Charter School #4095
2010-2011
Student Accountability Report
Parent and Student Survey Data
In May of 2010 Wolf Creek conducted an extensive parent and student survey using
surveymonkey.com
The results in their entirety are available from the charter school director.
Here are a few highlights:
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Parent participation 49 parent responses
Student participation 78 student responses
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2010-2011 Student Accountability
TRIO Wolf Creek Distance Learning Charter School #4095
2010-2011
Student Accountability Report
When asked to describe the best thing about Wolf Creek in an open ended questions here are a
sampling of responses:
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The pace, the teachers, and the learning managers have all contributed to my sons staying in
school. They all have helped him succeed.
flexible learning
It allows her to work around her schedule
Flexibility
online availability
she went at her own pace.
communication with parents one on one help friendly, patient learning managers ability to work
at own pace
Accessibility for students who cant make it to a regular class in school.
The personal attention received from a learning manager that really knows ones child as a result
of being with them throughout each year is so helpful. There isn't that required get to know the
kid time period that can take quite a while. It is very beneficial! And helpful not just
academically, but also personally too!
Small community
Having the website giving all the information out for all to read
It is another avenue for a person to attend school.
It fits in your daily schedule. You can do it whenever you want.
I LOVE the communication - and the ability as a parent to view percentages, assignments that are
outstanding, deadlines, etc.
Flexibility.Tiime to do schoolwork independently at home.
independence
good communication skills
Flexibility
They seem to be very intelligent teachers who are helping our kids to succeed in there future..
Flexible schedule helps with my child’s needs and the one on one help the LMs gives him
safe, friendly, and supportive environment.
It is flexible and everyone is understanding to student problems.
We are very thankful that Wolf Creek is a option for students that are not able to attend public
school due to missing a lot of time for chronic health issues . Sonya would love to be with her
friends at her public school but is not able to do that and that holds a lot of stress for Sonya.
The convenience of online.
Learning Manager model
hands on teachers, one on one, flexibility
Organized classes, flexible, great teachers!
October 2011
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2010-2011 Student Accountability
TRIO Wolf Creek Distance Learning Charter School #4095
2010-2011
Student Accountability Report
October 2011
Report
Page 21 of 23
2010-2011 Student Accountability
TRIO Wolf Creek Distance Learning Charter School #4095
2010-2011
Student Accountability Report
When asked to describe the best thing about Wolf Creek in an open ended questions here are a
sampling of responses:
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The atmosphere at the campus.
Understanding
you dont have to be in school everyday
I got to see my friends
I can do homework at my own time, a schedule that works for me.
The teachers
The best thing about wolf creek is that you can come in whenever its best for you.
Their flexibility and I like some of the course options.
The people.
The flexibility of it.
The time management
Working at your own pace and have the LM there if you need them.
It allows me to get work done in a way that works better for me than traditional school.
Flexibility
The staff are very respectful and nice and want to see every stuff succeed, which makes me enjoy
being on campus!
The fact that you have independence and you can work on school at somewhat your own pace.
The freedom to work by yourself and to be able to take a break and walk away.
EVERYTHING!!! I LOVE IT SO MUCH!!!
The best thing about Wolf Creek is that its laid back, there's no clicks, and people can do their
own things!
The flexible hours of the program
i have freedom
freedom
that i don't have to leave the comfort of my home
Being able to work at home.
you can do your assignments at your own pace.
the flexibility
You can do things at your own pace without feeling stupid or behind.
The learning managers
The Independence, trust, & freedom of personal motivation
Flexibility, caring teachers, helpful and structured environment for learning
only two days a week
Working on my own pace
October 2011
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2010-2011 Student Accountability
TRIO Wolf Creek Distance Learning Charter School #4095
2010-2011
Student Accountability Report
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I like lab because it gets kind of boring at home.
That it's online. And it allows me to work hours during the day at work.
LM's-Learning Managers=teacher
One on one. The flexibility.
moodle assignments can sometimes be fun i guess
The flexible hours and helpful staff.
i like going for walks and im excited for the boat trip
the help. i can get as much help as i need
That it is online
its more of a work at your own pace
I like how flexible it is.
Getting to sleep in.
Its on my time. And im learning more now then before..i can concentrate more at home then in
the class room.
My teacher and flexible schedule and her help
The best thing about Wolf Creek is the open schedule with learning, and the motivation that is
given to you to succeed.
Thank you for taking the time to read our annual reports. Please report errors to the charter
school director Tracy L Quarnstrom at tquarnstrom@chisagolakes.k12.mn.us
Direct questions on this document to the same email.
October 2011
Report
Page 23 of 23
2010-2011 Student Accountability
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