Lawrence County High School Extended School Services (ESS) Policies and Guidelines

Approved by SBDM August 28, 2008

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Regular Term Guidelines

Purpose

1.  The purpose of Extended School Services in our school is to offer students and teacher’s additional flexibility and learning time to meet curricular standards and goals.

2.  The purpose of Extended School Services in our school is to remove barriers to learning by providing students opportunities to receive additional assistance to support their learning beyond the initial classroom instruction.

3.  The purpose of Extended School Services in our school is to meet the diverse learning needs of our students.

4.  The purpose of Extended School Services in our school is to provide our students additional time for students to move toward mastery of the the academic expectations of the core classes.

Annual Extended School Services Plan

An annual Extended School Services Plan will be submitted to the SBDM Council for review and approval.  The plan will provide a description of services models being used including the amount of funds targeted to support the implementation of each service model and the schedule of services.  The plan will indicate the targeted content area(s) and specific student sub-populations being targeted (i.e. those at risk of failing a course or grade, those behind their peers, novices, etc.).  The plan will also provide a description and/or schedule of the continuous monitoring and evaluation of the plan, which will include use of pre- and post-assessments, progress reporting, collaboration between ESS teachers/coordinator and regular classroom teachers, review and analysis of data on student progress and program effectiveness, and an end-of-the-year program evaluation.

Organization and Management Structure

Lawrence County High School’s ESS building coordinator, with the guidance support of the principal, will organize and manage the extended services program.

Student Referral Process

1.  Description:  Referral to extended school services may be by the teacher, the parent or a self-referral by the student.  A referral form will be completed and kept on file.

2.  Determining Greatest Need

Students who have the greatest need as outlined in the following priorities will be assigned to extended school services:

1^st Priority: Students who are falling behind their peers due to failure in major subject areas/or non-promotion. a) Students who have failed a core content course needed for promotion to the next grade or to graduate (need is for intervention and additional instruction or time to meet course standards and complete the course requirements). b) Students who have failed a grade in school (need is for a recovery program to enable them to get back on grade level) c) Students who are receiving a D or F in a core content course needed for promotion to the next grade (need is for intervention to allow them to raise their grades satisfactorily and be promoted on time).

2^nd Priority:       Students who are at risk of falling behind their peers.  a) Students who have slipping grades in one core content subject area, i.e. from B to C or below (need is for appropriate intervention).  b) Students with average grades who have slipping grades in more than one core content subject area, i.e., C or below (need is for focused specific instruction). 

3^rd Priority: a) Students who are typically low-performing in relation to their peers.  b) Typically low-performing students who are working below or who are placed below grade level due to being retained more than one year (need is to reach appropriate grade level through intensive recovery program approach).  c) Typically low-performing students who regress significantly during the months that school is not in session (need is for instructional support to maintain their level of performance). 

4^th Priority:       Students working successfully at or above grade level.  a) Students who need short term assistance to understand a concept.  b) Students who have extended absences and who need a little help to catch up with school work (ESS cannot be used to make up time).  c) Students who seem disorganized and may need study skills instruction to more effectively organize their work.

Student Eligibility

• Students who have the greatest need as determined by the above stated criteria shall be referred by a teacher, counselor, principal, parent, and/or self for Extended Schools Services. 
• Students must be in grades nine through twelve at Lawrence County High School.
• Selection may also be guided by criteria established in a Daytime Program model.
• A student shall NOT be selected or assigned for Extended School Services at LCHS for disciplinary purposes or for any form of in-school suspension.

Notification of Parents

Parents of eligible students will be notified of their referral for extended school services using the District Procedure 08.133 AP.2.  If parents so request, the student’s referral will be reconsidered.  Parents may be notified by letter or telephone call to introduce the ESS program and services available to the student.

Communication of Extended School Services

• Publicizing Services/Timeline – all ESS information will be placed on the Lawrence County High School website for parents, students, community, and faculty to see. 
• School Personnel Communication – all schedules and referral processes will be emailed to all faculty members.  Any changes to schedule will be sent to the faculty as soon as possible.  Faculty and staff are to post the schedule in the classroom or office for reference by students, staff, and/or parents.

Student Progress Reports

All ESS students who are long-term attendees (4 or more sessions in a content area) will receive a progress report at the end of each nine weeks.

Collaboration with Core Content Academic Program

The student’s regular teacher and ESS teacher will work collaboratively to determine the student’s individual needs and to assess the student’s progress in meeting identified goals.  (Examples of collaborative methods:  periodic discussion of student needs during common planning, sharing a strategy or intervention already used in the classroom.)

Special Procedures/Guidelines for ESS

Group/Class Size – Each session of core content ESS should have a minimum of three (3) students. An ESS provider should not have such an excessive number of students that the quality of instruction is diminished.  Homework help session may have larger numbers as appropriate.

Behavior/Discipline – Any student who violates the LCHS student handbook or the Lawrence County Board of Education Code of Conduct during the ESS service time he or she is attending will face the consequences as defined in the handbook or code of conduct.

Scheduling/Calendar for LCHS ESS

• ESS Services may be scheduled Monday through Friday in the morning before school, in the afternoon following dismissal of school, or in the school day using daytime waiver funding.

• There will be no core content ESS on one or two day weeks.
• There will be no core content ESS during the spring core content testing window.
• There will be ESS Plato/Credit Recovery during spring core content testing window.  The programs are computer based with a prescribed curriculum.
• The ending of the regular term ESS session will be determined by student need and funding for the program.

Instructional Strategies

• Teachers must use best practices when working with students in ESS sessions.
• All students who are long term attendees must have a pre and post test.  The provider will keep this on file and send results to coordinator at the end of the year.
• Students’ time is never wasted on unrelated assignments or activities.

Homework Help Sessions (Drop in tutoring)

Students must sign-in and indicate on the sign in the content area and concept/skill in which he or she needs additional help.

Appeals Process

Appeals process may be executed by parent, teacher, or student of the Lawrence County School District.  Prior to being appealed, the issue must be presented in writing to the building coordinator for reconsideration. The issue must be resolved within ten school das or forwarded to the District ESS Coordinator for consideration.  If upon receiving the appeal within ten days the issue cannot be resolved the appeal will be forwarded to the Superintendent for the final decision.

Personnel:  Teacher Qualifications/Job Description

Special qualifications for ESS personnel should be, but not limited to the following:

• Enthusiastic about students and learning
• Willing to take extra time needed to design an effective ESS classroom.
• Experienced with working with diverse learners.
• Be appropriately certified or trained for the assigned ESS position.
• Teachers will be hired within the school first (with the exception of specifications of a Daytime Waiver model).
• Seniority within the school/district will be considered as a last resort.

** For more details see the Lawrence County Board of Education Personnel Guidelines document

Teacher Selection/Hiring

The principal of Lawrence County High School after consultation with the Site Based Decision Making council will hire teachers for core content areas from the applications submitted to council.  The principal will notify the building coordinator of hired personnel after making the final decision. The teachers hired will be utilized on an as needed basis and called to begin Extended School Services based on the needs of students. 

Records/Documentation from ESS providers

All ESS personnel shall maintain a record of the following information for him or her and send a copy of all records to the building coordinator for processing and record keeping.  ESS personnel are to keep a copy of all materials on file for audit and observation purposes.  Failure to keep accurate and timely records may result in termination of the employee for Extended School Services.

·        Pre and post test for all students entering ESS services.

·        Sign in sheets (attendance records) for all ESS sessions including all items completed on sign in sheet.

·        Copy of bi-weekly timesheet.

·        Copy of each student referral.

·        Copy of nine weeks progress letters.

·        Copy of final progress letters.

·        Copy of classroom observation from building coordinator, principal, or district coordinator.

**Note all of these forms are subject to change as needed to meet the needs of the LCHS students and ESS program.

Coordinator Job Description

Based on district policy the building coordinator will complete the following tasks:

• Prepare master schedule for teachers and core content specialty.
• Maintain and distribute schedules of Extended School Services to faculty and staff.
• Publicize ESS to all faculty/staff, students, and parents.
• Attend meetings with district director.
• Relay information from district meetings to faculty and staff.
• Conference with parents and students about ESS progress, attendance, goals, expectations, etc.
• Maintain ESS attendance records (sign-ins).
• Maintain file of referrals, ensure complete and accurate referrals, and ensure policy of greatest need is followed.
• Maintain ESS data in STI. 
• Provide data as needed for KCCT testing to Building Assessment Coordinator.
• Collect time sheets, check for accuracy, obtain authorization signatures, and file with district payroll employees in timely fashion as dictated by the district office.
• Ensure any grievance is followed through by policy

Evaluation of Program

The progress of students who attend ESS will be regularly and closely monitored, and student achievement date for ESS will be analyzed for program improvement as well as for individual student progress.  Analysis of ESS data will be part of the annual needs assessment for school improvement planning. 

The progress of students who attend ESS on a long term basis will be documented through nine weeks progress reports.  The form details progress of student, attendance of student, and willingness to progress.  Teacher may make comments on any barrier to the student’s progress.

Classroom observations may be conducted by the building coordinator, principal, and/or district coordinator.

Reports to SBDM Council

1.  August         -Program/STI Annual Evaluation/Annual School Plan

2.  October      -Assessment Data Analysis/Program Adjustment

3.  January        -District Mid-Year Review/Program Adjustment

4.  May – End of Year Evaluation

Intersession and Summer School Guidelines

The following policies dictate Intersession and Summer School at Lawrence County High School.  Additional parameters for LCHS summer school and intersession are included below the SBDM policies.

Policy # 3.07 Adopted: 10/16/01

Lawrence County High School

School-Based Decision Making Council

EXTENDED SCHOOL POLICY FOR STUDENTS TAKING CORE CLASSES

During Summer School, no student will be allowed to make up more than one credit in the same core class area during his/her high school career at Lawrence County High School.

Policy #3.06 Adopted 12/10/01

Lawrence County High School

School-Based Decision Making Council

EXTENDED SCHOOL POLICY CONCERNING ALGEBRA I

Algebra I is a one-year class at Lawrence County High School.

The class is divided into two parts, Algebra IA, which lasts for a semester, and Algebra IB, which also lasts for one semester. No part of Algebra I can be taken during Intercession or Summer School at Lawrence County High School.

Policy# 3.05 Adopted: 10/16/01

Lawrence County High School

School-Based Decision Making Council

Intercession Policy for Lawrence County High School

Any student, who has between 57% - 59% in a core class, may attend 15 hours of Intercession in the winter or spring and raise their grade to 60% (passing.) All rules and regulations concerning attendance and the student contract must be fulfilled before the grade is valid.

Intersession

Students participating in LCHS intersession with the intent to receive a credit for the core content class as dictated by LCHS SBDM policy 3.05 must also complete the following requirements.

1.  Meet contract requirements as agreed upon between the ESS teacher and student.  Contract includes attendance, skills/concepts/tasks to complete, and behavior requirements.

2.  Must complete all fifteen hours of intersession within the intersession window to be eligible for credit.

3.  Must follow all codes of conduct for LCHS and Lawrence County schools as stated in the handbook and code of conduct.

4.  Must provide own transportation to and from LCHS for intersession.

5.  Must show improvement from pretest to posttest in subject area seeking credit.

Summer School

Students participating in LCHS intersession with the intent to receive a credit for the core content class as dictated by LCHS SBDM policy 3.07 must also complete the following requirements.

1.  Meet contract requirements as agreed upon between the ESS teacher and student.  Contract includes attendance, skills/concepts/tasks to complete, and behavior requirements.

2.  Must complete 90% of hours established as the summer session to be eligible for credit.  Failure to do so will result in immediate dismissal from the summer school program.  The time must be within the intersession window to be eligible for credit.

3.  Must follow all codes of conduct for LCHS and Lawrence County schools as stated in the handbook and code of conduct.

4.  Must provide own transportation to and from LCHS for summer school.

5.  Must show improvement from pretest to posttest in subject area seeking credit.