Education California | The official newspaper of the Association of California School Administrators Volume 48 | Number 9 | October 9 , 2017
CAASPP gains slow ; gaps not closing
The public results of 2017 scores for California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress tests in English language arts and mathematics revealed little academic growth and persistent achievement gaps .
Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson said he was pleased that students maintained the progress made in year one and two of testing and urged students , teachers and parents to continue
to aim high .
“ I ’ m pleased we retained our gains , but we have much more work to do . We need to work diligently to narrow achievement gaps and make sure all students continue to make progress ,” he said . “ It ’ s important to remember that these tests are far more rigorous and realistic than the previous paper and pencil tests . We are asking more of our students , but for a good reason – so they are better prepared for the world of college and careers .”
This is the third year of the computerbased tests , which use California ’ s challenging , seven-year-old Common Core Standards that ask students to write clearly , think critically , and solve complex problems , just as they will need to do in college and 21st century careers .
Statewide , in all tested grades , 48.56 percent of students met or exceeded the
See CAASPP , page 3
Negotiator of the Year . The ACSA Human Resources Council is urging members to submit nominations for their Negotiator of the Year Award . Nominations must be received by Nov . 13 . The award will be bestowed at the Negotiators Symposium in San Diego Jan . 17-19 . The nomination form can be found at www . acsa . org / negotiatoraward . If you have any questions , please contact Margaret Arthofer , ( 916 ) 444-3216 , marthofer @ acsa . org .
Growing up in a poor , working class family helped Elsie Simonovski understand the value of an education – something she communicates to her students .
The value of education
At Richland High School , all students are expected to graduate college and career ready . For Elsie Briseno Simonovski , ACSA ’ s Continuation / Educational Options Administrator of the Year and 18-year veteran educator , that outcome is just the beginning .
The desire to become a school administrator comes from many different sources , each decision reflecting a unique effort and interest . Simonovski credits her upbringing with her focus on education .
“ Coming from a poor , working class family and growing up most of my life with a single parent , I saw the struggles of what not having an education will do to a person ,” she said . “ As soon as
After arriving in the United States , Christian Lopez flourished in L . A . Unified .
Immigrant flourishes
Periodicals Dated Material
ACSA ’ s Every Student Succeeding Awards program includes our 19-part series leading up to the ESS luncheon at the 2017 Leadership Summit . Watch the videos on these remarkable recipients at Facebook , YouTube and www . acsa . org .
Jeremy Powell ’ s goal every day is to help his students and staff bring out the gifts each person possesses .
Finding the potential
When one thinks of a school administrator , generally one thinks of a principal or a central office leader . But one position encompasses both aspects : superintendent / principal . They must take on the roles of both district and site leaders .
Among the best in this regard is Jeremy Powell of Sequoia Union School District . Powell has been selected as ACSA ’ s Superintendent / Principal of the Year .
Powell is driven by a desire to see students do well . But , beyond that , he loves seeing students achieve beyond their own highest expectations . That led to him becoming an administrator .
See SIMONOVSKI , page 7 See POWELL , page 5
Poetry and her principal helped Jatia Raymond survive human trafficking and abuse .
Strength in poetry
Christian Lopez ’ s journey to the United States was anything but “ I ’ m trying to tell you what I see in myself when I look easy . So , too , was his childhood in El Salvador . in the mirror . But all I see is a silhouette because the figure ’ s “ I saw so many things ,” Christian said . “ From somebody being not clear . But I ’ m confused . I don ’ t know what to say . I don ’ t robbed to somebody being killed .” know who to be . I don ’ t know what to do . All I know is what
He grew up in Cuscatancingo , home to the infamous 18th Street it feels like to be half-dead and abused .” Gang . In fact , gang violence turned El Salvador into the murder The words she writes are filled with sorrow , sting , and capital of the world . There was an average of nearly one homicide survival . The poem is titled “ An Image of Me .” It ’ s some-
See CHRISTIAN , page 4 See JATIA , page 6
There is no better time to honor the leaders who make our schools great than during Week of the School Administrator , Oct . 9-13 .
Research has repeatedly shown that quality school leadership is essential to student success . Those leaders in turn are supported by a network of dedicated professionals , including special education and adult education leaders , curriculum experts , school business officials and classified educational leaders , among many others .
During the last few months in EdCal , we have featured articles on ACSA ’ s Administrator of the Year award winners .
LGBT month . October is LGBT History Month , a time to celebrate achievements of lesbian , gay , bisexual and transgender icons , according to lgbthistorymonth . com . Each day this month , a new icon is featured with a video , bio , bibliography , downloadable images and more . This year ’ s icons include Brian Epstein , Caitlyn Jenner and Barry Manilow . Since 1994 , October has been dedicated to the teaching of gay and lesbian history . It was chosen because public schools are in session and because the existing Coming Out Day is Oct . 11 .
SPI candidates . ACSA leaders are scheduled to host superintendent of public instruction candidates Marshall Tuck and Tony Thurmond in facilitated conversations with President Lisa Gonzales at Leadership Assembly in Los Angeles Oct . 12 . Leading up to the June 5 Primary Election , ACSA officers and Governmental Relations staff will conduct interviews , and the ACSA Board will confirm an endorsement in January . Making the announcement and any campaign contribution in the new year lessens the likelihood it will get lost in the “ holiday shuffle .”
Principals month . October is National Principals Month , so designated by the National Associations of Elementary and Secondary School Principals . California ’ s National Distinguished Principal Scott Borba is among the outstanding elementary and middle school principals in Washington , D . C . this week to celebrate the month and be celebrated for their achievements . Check out the website www . principalsmonth . org .
Celebrate administrators this week
These are education leaders singled out in each job-alike for their dedication and good work in the field . Read about them in the Newsroom at www . acsa . org ; click on “ Awards Spotlight .”
The 2018 Administrator of the Year awards nomination window is open through Jan . 12 . Find out more at www . acsa . org / awards .
As the state ’ s preeminent professional association for education leaders , ACSA promotes the importance of school leadership in the California public school system . ACSA was directly responsible for ensur-
See WOSA , page 2