Part: 1
PART 1: PROFILE
History
The Ralph Bunche, Little River and Oak Grove Preschool Program
serve three to five year old students and are funded, in part, through federal
and state resources. The program is built around the premise that all young
children learn valuable educational skills at an early age and benefit from a
comprehensive program to meet their needs. The vision of the Head Start
Program in Georgia is to provide low income students the highest quality
standards to enter public school at the appropriate individual level ready to
learn. Georgia's Pre-K Program is a lottery funded educational program for
children who are four years old by September 1 of the current school year
and are Georgia residents. Georgia’s Pre-K Program is voluntary for families
and for providers and seeks to prepare students for Kindergarten. The
Preschool Intervention Program is a federally mandated service. An
amendment to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) makes
available a range of educational opportunities to children with moderate to
severe disabilities who are three and four years old. The children are served
at one of several school sites in the county or through community-based
programs.
The Ralph Bunche Center serves Head Start, Ga. Pre-K and Special
Education three, four and five year old students. The oldest program at this
center is Head Start which has served students for 40 years. Throughout
this time, the Ninth District Opportunity, Inc. (NDO) and the Cherokee
County Board of Education have established a partnership contract to
provide this program to county residents. Both agencies have agreed to
share in the cost and operation of the program. The NDO provides
budgetary funds to cover some teacher salaries, supplies, travel, bus
transportation for health services as needed, etc., while the school system
maintains the facility, utilities, administrative and support staff salaries,
and other expenses for technology, staff development, etc. The Ga. Pre-K
Lottery Funded Program has been in existence for 20 years and has placed
students in the multiple local agencies and businesses in the community
provide this center additional support throughout the school year.
The Little River Preschool, in south Cherokee County, opened its
doors to Head Start, Georgia Lottery-funded Pre-K, and Preschool
Intervention August 2009. Two Head Start classes were moved from Ralph
Bunche to the Little River building. Two new Lottery-funded Pre-K classes
were added. Additionally, Cherokee County Administrators made a
commitment to serve most preschool-aged SWD in the two preschool
locations.
2012-13 School Improvement Plan
Ralph Bunche/Little River/Oak Grove Preschool
Page 1
Part: 1
The newest addition to the program is the Oak Grove Preschool
Center which began operation in fall of 2012 and is located within the Oak
Grove Elementary Fine Arts Academy which serves students from
Kindergarten through 4th grade. The Oak Grove Academy is located within
the Etowah Innovation Zone and serves 460 students in both regular and
special education with a diverse population. The majority of the students
are found within two ethnicities which include White (47%) and Hispanic
(38%). Oak Grove has a very high transient rate of 29%. Additionally, 57%
of the students at Oak Grove receive free or reduced priced breakfast and
lunch.
The Oak Grove Preschool Center has one Ga. Pre-K Lottery funded
classes which was moved from R.M. Moore. Two Head Start classes were
moved from Ralph Bunche and five special needs classes were moved from
Little River Preschool. Presently, the center has nine preschool classes
which include typical and non-typical students.
School Configuration
The Ralph Bunche/Little River/Oak Grove Preschool Program provide
a comprehensive full day experience for children who meet application
criteria for Head Start or Bright From The Start Georgia Lottery-funded PreK programs. The program also provides full day, half day facility-based, cotaught and collaborative inclusion as well as and community-based
preschool intervention opportunities for 3- and 4-year-old students who
meet eligibility criteria for special education services.
Head Start
To be eligible to apply for the Head Start program, a child must be 3or 4-years old by September 1st. At least 90% of enrolled students’ parents
must meet income eligibility based on identified poverty guidelines
established by the Federal Government. The program is currently funded to
serve 90 Head Start students and one class of 20 students which uses both
Head Start and Georgia Lottery-funded Pre-K funds.
Parents interested in completing a Head Start application are
accepted into the program by meeting established income eligibility
guidelines. Students are accepted based on a priority grid established by
Head Start guidelines. The majority of these families qualify for either
Medicaid or Peach Care health insurance. All Head Start students qualify
for the Free Lunch program.
2012-13 School Improvement Plan
Ralph Bunche/Little River/Oak Grove Preschool
Page 2
Part: 1
Georgia Pre-K
The program is funded for 88 Bright from the Start Pre-K children, in
addition to the previously mentioned 20 students in the blended classroom.
This program is open to any parent, regardless of income. To be eligible to
apply for the Pre-K program, a child must be 4-years-old by September 1st.
Preschool Intervention
Twenty -six percent (21%) of the Head Start students have identified
disabilities. Twenty-two percent (22%) of the Pre-K students have identified
disabilities. The program uses the services of special education staff who
implement the preschool intervention program. These children receive
services in an inclusive co-taught or collaborative setting.
In addition to the aforementioned inclusive opportunities,
approximately 150 students receive services in a Facility Based program at
both sites. SLPs, OTs and PTs provide services to students at each site
according to IEP mandates. Community based services are offered to
eligible 3 and 4-year-old students in daycare settings throughout the
community
CERTIFIED EMPLOYEES
Ralph Bunche Preschool faculty includes 8 certified employees, Little
River Preschool faculty consists of 10 certified employees and Oak Grove
Preschool includes 11 certified employees.
Demographic Data
(May include charts/graphs in Part 6)
In 2011-2012, the Cherokee County School District Preschool
Program served 366 students in which thirty-one percent (31%) of the three
and four year old students were of Hispanic/Latino descent. The racial
composition of the combined student population was 13% Black, 80% White
and 7% Other. At the present time, the program is serving 310 students
that include 29% Hispanic, 3% Asian, 15% Black, 51% White and 2%
Other., and will consistently add new students through special education as
they are assessed and determined to be eligible for services. Some of these
students will be referred to the school district on their third birthday by
Babies Can’t Wait, the federal agency that serves students with disabilities
from birth to three. Other agencies such as medical, community daycare,
2012-13 School Improvement Plan
Ralph Bunche/Little River/Oak Grove Preschool
Page 3
Part: 1
etc., will encourage parents to seek an evaluation through the school district
due to a potential delay they have observed. Many parents seek services as
they have determined by age three that their child is not developing at the
same rate as other children.
Student Distribution (by gender)
The Preschool Program reports 60% of the 310 students to be male
and 40% female.
Free/Reduced Lunches
The Head Start Federally funded program provides free breakfast and
lunch to each child. The Ga. Pre-K lottery funded program provides
breakfast and lunch to children who fall within a Category 1 federal
eligibility. Special needs students may also meet the qualifying criteria
through the school district for free or reduced breakfast and lunch.
Presently, 54% of preschool students are free and 6% are reduced.
Assessment Results
(Refer to charts/graphs in Part 6)
Formal standardized testing is not appropriate for preschool students.
However, in the Head Start program, ACUSCREEN is used to screen
students at the beginning of the school year to assess each student’s
developmental level concepts and language.
Head Start also uses the web-based Galileo Student Assessment
Program. Teachers collect data “Domains of Learning.” Summary data was
collected in October, February, and May, 2011. Classroom computers
house student information and a variety of individual and classroom
summary reports are generated from these data.
The following tables reflect assessment results based the Galileo
Student Assessment Program. Consistent use of the checklist over past
years gives staff members the ability to evaluate curriculum efficiently as
well as individual student academic needs.
The Spring 2011and 2012 results reflected consistent student proficiency of
90+%. The identified SIP objectives of Language and Literacy, and math
skills were mastered at the established 85% goal.
2010-2011 Galileo Student Assessment Data
Fall
Winter
2012-13 School Improvement Plan
Ralph Bunche/Little River/Oak Grove Preschool
Spring
Page 4
Part: 1
Language and Literacy
Early Math
12%
21%
67%
68%
2011-2012 Galileo Student Assessment Data
Fall
Winter
Language and Literacy
12%
67%
Early Math
21%
68%
96%
99%
Spring
90%
91%
Pre-K uses the web-based Work Sampling Online assessment
instrument. Teachers collect data on identified “Domains of Learning.”
Summary data were collected in May over the last 2 years. Classroom
computers house student information and a variety of individual and
classroom summary reports are generated from these data.
The following table reflects assessment results based the Work
Sampling Online.
WSO data was available for Spring 2010 - 2012 and results reflect
consistent outcomes of language/literacy and math. SIP objectives will focus
on the primary core areas of Mathematical Thinking and Language and
Literacy.
2010-2011 Work Sampling Online
Spring (% Proficient)
Language and Literacy
17.6%
Mathematical Thinking
11.8%
2011-2012 Work Sampling Online
Spring (% Proficient)
Language and Literacy
16.5%
Mathematical Thinking
12.3%
The Preschool Intervention program tracks individual student progress by
collecting data on each student’s IEP goals and objectives. Additionally,
students who will be exiting the program to attend Kindergarten are
assessed using portions of the Battelle Developmental Inventory-2 and
DPT3.
Battelle
Spring 2012
Developmental
Inventory -2
Cognitive
CSS-CogTot494
2012-13 School Improvement Plan
Ralph Bunche/Little River/Oak Grove Preschool
Page 5
Part: 1
CSS=Change Sensitive Score
Trends that may impact the school in the next five years
Over the last two years, preschool students in Georgia have
experienced a reduction in school days ranging from 160 days in 2011 to
170 days in 2012. This loss of instructional days has affected students
academically in that scores yielded on Work Sampling On-line as well as
Battelle Developmental Inventory 2 were lower in core areas such as
language/literacy and math concepts. The reduction in days has also
impacted the number of certified teachers trained by the state Pre-K
department and local special education department. A higher transfer rate
from preschool to other grades and departments has resulted in a greater
need for training of new employees. Stabilizing the teacher turnover rate is a
significant key component to successful delivery of the core standards and
skill mastery. New employees are participating in the district Best Mentor
training to glean the experience of veteran teachers.
Technology is also a key component of the delivery of content
standards. SPLOST funds have provided for Promethean Boards to be
placed in each preschool classroom and will improve student success. Ipads
have been placed in the full day Autism classrooms and are making a
significant difference in student communication. These classes will also
participate in the district Bring Your Learning Device to School pilot this
year which will bridge the skills seen at home and school for these Autistic
students.
Childhood obesity has been identified as a national crisis. To combat
this issue, the preschool program has selected the curriculum “I Am
Moving, I Am Learning” to use daily with students for the purpose of
increasing physical activity during their daily routine, as well as teaching
children to make healthy eating choices. The curriculum reinforces the
importance of the mind-body connection and the relationship between
physical fitness and early learning.
PART 1: PROFILE
Stakeholder Input
In the development of the School Improvement Plan (SIP) for 2009-2010, what
opportunities were given for stakeholders (students, teachers, parents,
business and community partners, etc.) to provide input/feedback?
List chronologically all meetings or opportunities for stakeholder input. Topics
of discussion should be very short. Examples: Selecting objectives, preparing
the action plan, overview of the plan, how to obtain funds, ways to make
partnerships more productive.
2012-13 School Improvement Plan
Ralph Bunche/Little River/Oak Grove Preschool
Page 6
Part: 1
Stakeholder Groups
Parents
Dates
8/21
8/23
8/28
Staff
9/12
SIP-Related Topics of Discussion
Parent Orientation:
1. review program policies and
procedures
2. Elect Parent Committee
3. Elect School Readiness
Council
4. Approve Parent Training
Calendar
Staff Self-Assessment –conduct
survey to determine staff’s
familiarity with center’s programs
and services.
SIP Staff Meetings- review student
outcomes and develop SIP
curriculum goals.
Parents
10/8,
10/9,
10/11
Community
Partners
11/12
Parent/Staff
11/12
2012-13 School Improvement Plan
Ralph Bunche/Little River/Oak Grove Preschool
Parent Self-Assessment Processdetermine parent familiarity of
center’s programs and services,
review SIP goals, review Galileo,
WSO and Battelle assessment
data
Community Partner SelfAssessment- determine partner’s
familiarity of programs and
services. Publication of 20102011 SIP goals.
School Readiness Council to
review program baseline data and
activities to strengthen weak areas
Page 7
Part: 1
PART 1: PROFILE
Business and Community Partners
Company/Organization
Address
Cherokee County
Chamber of Commerce
P.O. Box
757
Canton,
GA
30114
320
Hospital
Rd
Canton,
GA 30114
116
Brown
Industrial
Park
Canton,
GA 30115
Medical Associates of
North Georgia, Inc.
Sequoyah Regional
Library
Cherokee Tribune
Life Touch
Photography
521 E.
Main St.
P.O. Box
966
Canton,
GA
30114
2641
Kennesaw
Due west
Rd.
Kennesaw,
GA
30144
Phone
New/
Contact
Number
Continued
770Pam
Continued
345Carnes Education
0400
Committee
Volunteers
7704795535
Kevin
Kellogg
7704793090
Nick or
Jan
Fogerty
7704791411
7704997474
2012-13 School Improvement Plan
Ralph Bunche/Little River/Oak Grove Preschool
Continued
Holiday supplies
for students
$1,000 donation
per year
Continued
Parent workshops
Puppet Shows
Reading is
Fundamental(RIF)
student activities
Continued
Public Relations
Giehun
Continued
Free holiday
student pictures
Page 8