Self Study
Explanation of Questions and Guide to direct where to find the answers.
Office Management and CAD Programs
Curriculum
1. The school offer a carefully planned curriculum which is consistent with its mission and which reflects the needs of
a. students
b. the community
c. business/industry
This can be answered either by going through all the curriculum maps or the program outline for CAD and OM.
2. The school offers a carefully designed technology plan which is consistent with its mission and its curriculum plan; this includes but is not limited to a vision, goals, schoolwide objectives, administrative plans, professional development, instructional technology integration, and planned steps to accomplish the goals.
This can be answered by looking at the Technology Plan 2013-2016
3. Program Advisory Committees are effectively utilized
a. to recommend program modifications based on changing technology.
b. to assist with the development of an equipment acquisition plan.
c. to assist in the development of the technology plan.
d. to review both the technical and academic curricula.
e. Agendas/minutes are maintained on file.
f. Records of attendance are maintained by programs.
This can be answered by looking at the way in which interactions with the advisory board have influenced the CTE programs in the past. The open aspect of our web site is also an indication that on all accounts we exceed the expectations of the state.
4. The program design guarantees that every student, regardless of gender, race, ethnicity or disabilities is offered a quality education.
This (I believe) has to do with compliance with the Americans with Disabilities act. Of course we are in compliance, although it would be very difficult to accommodate a person confined to a wheel chair into my program due to the stairs.
5. To ensure that an integrated program is operational and that program objectives are met, adequate time is provided in the following areas:
a. Applied Academics
b. Technical Education
d. Student Services
e. Student Support Services
e. Student Activities
f. English as a Second Language
g. Bilingual Education
Students, and the school, must comply with New York State graduation requirements as well as any and all applicable education laws.
6. Curriculum design creates opportunities for the student
a. to understand education expectations
b. to receive recognition for achievement
c. to improve performance
This can be answered either by going through all the curriculum maps or the program outline for CAD and OM.
7. Technical programs are competency-based education identifying specific duties and tasks.
This can be answered either by going through all the curriculum maps or the program outline for CAD and OM.
8. The program design provides for identification of expected student performance and learning outcomes in
a. applied academic programs
b. technical programs
This can be answered either by going through all the curriculum maps or the program outline for CAD and OM. There are no applied academic programs.
9. The equipment used in the technical and in the academic programs
a. adequately supports and enhances all aspects of the educational program
b. is maintained to ensure an environment that is healthy and safe for all
This can be answered by looking at the room, and the curriculum for CAD and OM. which both stress safety throughout.
10. Co-curricular activities are provided to enhance students’
a. leadership skills
b. self-esteem
c. career awareness
There are numerous projects going on to keep this going, as well as a paid professional development activity that involves many core teachers as well at the career teachers. One example is the Surveying Project. Another is the Business Luncheon.
11. The school encourages innovative and experimental programs designed
a. to serve the needs of students
b. to contribute to the school's stated mission
This can be answered by SCLA program’s existence. We are pretty unique in the state.
12. Instructional programs offered in career fields requiring licensure or certification are designed to prepare students to meet those requirements.
We are currently using the NOCTI CAD exam, the CareerSafe OSHA exams, NOCT (OM) exams, and Microsoft Certification exams.
Instruction
13. The design of the instructional program reflects the mission of the school.
This can be answered by comparing our mission statement and the curriculum for CAD and OM.either through the full maps or the program summary.
14. Strategies provide for the integration of academic and technical instruction.
There are numerous projects going on to keep this going, as well as a paid professional development activity that involves many core teachers as well at the career teachers. One example is the Surveying Project. Another is the Business Luncheon.
15. Teachers fully utilize available technology in their planning, teaching, and data collection, analysis and reporting.
This building and the instructors in it are very technologically literate. Both Laurie and I participate as Model Schools instructors for various classes in instructional technology tools.
16. The application of computers integrated within the technical and academic instruction program.
We have a full computer lab for OM with 25 stations, Smartboard, document camera, and projector. We will have a full computer lab with the same for CAD. In the class shop lab we have 3 computers. We also have numerous laptops that can be signed out by teachers. Additionally all students have access to laptops with teacher recommendations. There is also 3 machines in the library that can run CAD, and a class set of laptops that will run CAD.
17. Learning resources required to implement the instructional program are
a. available
b. utilized
We have various current and relevant textbooks that are reviewed on a regular basis. Additionally there are many web based resources utilized in both programs.
18. Faculty and staff demonstrate creativity and initiative and use a variety of resources in the delivery of their instructional programs.
This again can largely be answered by our existence.
19. Instructional materials address a variety of learning styles and ability levels.
This can be demonstrated by looking at the portfolio assessment.
20. All technical programs provide the following:
a. safety instruction
b. instruction in hazardous chemical awareness – material safety data sheets
c. written and applied safety testing
This can be answered by looking at the CAD and OM.curriculum, and the Career Safe OSHA certifications that the students receive.
21. Individual Education Plans are implemented and maintained on file for each special needs student.
These are kept in the office for all special needs students.
22. Student assessment measures have been established and utilized to measure the attainment of expected performance levels.
This can be demonstrated by the portfolio assessments.
23. An evaluation of the assessment of student performance is reviewed periodically to
a. measure student achievement
b. improve curriculum
c. impact planning and instruction
The CareerSafe exams offer remediation for students to adjust their work. Assessment data drives curriculum revisions and adjustments.
24. A systematic program review conducted periodically to guarantee effective program design.
The Advisory board meets annually as a whole and independent meetings are as needed.
25. If the state requires high stakes tests, the school reports the testing program score results since the last decennial visit by year, by educational program and by subject area.
This does not apply
26. The school indicates how those results impacted the school’s educational program to improve the effectiveness of teaching and learning.
This does not apply
27. The school assesses the effectiveness of teaching and learning.
Non tenured teachers are observed three times by supervisors, and Tenured teachers are observed twice. The details of this are on either of the self study page. Additionally, all teachers are subject to "walk through" observations.
28. The school provides evidence that it has implemented an assessment program designed to measure the effectiveness of teaching and learning in all educational program areas.
There is a committee of teachers, administrators and other stakeholders reviewing the districts data collection and dissemination and there is a consolidated action plan for the district.
29. The school describes the methods/types of assessments and the sources of data used by the school to determine the attainment of student academic and technical achievement.
There is a committee of teachers, administrators and other stakeholders reviewing the districts data collection and dissemination and there is a consolidated action plan for the district.
30. The school
a. explains how it currently evaluates its assessment program
b. lists any possible changes for the future
c. gives timelines for such changes
The school has recently finished its five year strategic plan, and each building is currently working on theirs.
31. There is a process utilized to communicate assessment results to parents, community members, teachers and governing boards.
District ‘report cards’ are available through our district web site as well as the Albany Times Union web site. Students also receive report cards mailed to them every 10 weeks, and progress reports between them at the 5 week point. Also Parents and students have ongoing real-time access to grade reporting through our E-school, home access and student access. We are currently migrating to Infinite Campus for this as well.
32. Assessment results have been used to systematically improve teaching and learning at the school.
Certification exams, and the desire for our students to pass them, largely drive what and how we teach. That coupled with the real life 21st century and work based skills are largely the point of our program.
33. The school cites examples of changes that have been made in curriculum and instruction in the last three years due to analysis of student and school performance data.
Our whole Digital Transformation was largely based on our schools recognition that we need to try some things differently to more effectively teach. This has been an ongoing process with long looks at many different areas. The CAD program was largely born from this.
34. There is a person who is responsible for ensuring that assessment results and data sources are organized, analyzed, interpreted, reported and utilized in the evaluation of curriculum and instruction.
We have a person who is in charge of all testing and data.