The Agenda

Scoring the Goal of Academic Excellence for ALL Students with WASC!:  Empowering/Honoring Student Voice through Equity & Access

Time: 9:10 AM - 9:40 AM Presenters: Dr. Odie Douglas

The focus of this session is to support the WASC Equity Statement that states in part, "Through the WASC continuous improvement process, actions must be taken to value, inspire, and support every student served by the school to ensure high quality learning and well-being of all."  We hope to actively engage the participants in the following key areas:

• Facilitate a discussion regarding the impact of student voice on promoting equity and access for ALL students in our schools/Districts

• Discuss the importance of students being allowed to play an integral role in teaching and learning in a culturally responsive classroom/school environment

• Share the voices of students who were honored and recognized as equity partners having a “place at the table.”

Teamwork Triumphs: Scoring Goals with WASC for Educational Excellence and Equity

Time: 10:05 AM - 10:20 AM Presenter: Dr. Eric Mooney

This session explores the dynamic synergy between the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) accreditation process and the principles of teamwork in sports to foster an inclusive, high-achieving educational environment. Drawing on the ethos of sports—where every player's contribution is vital for team success—Dr. Eric Mooney illustrates how schools and districts can apply these principles to engage every educational partner in the journey toward excellence and equity in education.

The presentation delves into innovative strategies for incorporating the WASC Focus on Learning process as a framework to unite teachers, administrators, students, and the community towards common goals. It highlights practical examples of how to leverage WASC accreditation to enhance school practices, curriculum development, and community outreach, ensuring all students have access to quality education and opportunities for future success.

Attendees will gain insights into creating a cohesive educational team that values every member's role, akin to a sports team, where collective effort leads to achieving and surpassing goals. Dr. Mooney will share successful case studies from his extensive experience in educational leadership, demonstrating how a sports-themed approach to the WASC process can drive significant improvements in schoolwide college and career readiness, student engagement, and academic achievement.

This session is designed for educators, administrators, and community leaders seeking to elevate their school or district through a collaborative, sports-inspired approach to meeting and exceeding WASC standards, fostering an environment where teamwork truly triumphs in the pursuit of educational excellence and equity.

The Playbook: Building a Winning WASCetball Program

Time: 10:35 AM - 10:50 AM Presenter: Jonathan Tiongco

Like in all levels of organized basketball, building a winning WASC program takes having strong recruitment and retention of talent; building and sustaining strong relationships with our team and community; and cultivating the fundamental skills needed in our players to drive outstanding results and positive reputation. In this session, we will learn and reinforce some of the best plays, strategies, and techniques used to drive success by some of the best players and coaches in our WASC community. 

Big League and Farm Teams: WASC High School and Middle School Relationship

Time: 11:15 AM - 11:30 AM Presenter: Dr. Kenneth Miller

Very similar to Major League Baseball franchises and their respective farm teams, middle schools and high schools share a symbiotic relationship. The Major League Team depends upon their farm teams to nurture talent, teach skills and create a solid learning culture throughout the organization and the high school experience provides the attainment of student goals. In Orange Unified School District's Villa Park High School Feeder School Slice including Cerro Villa Middle School and Villa Park High School, vertical articulation that includes clearly communicated and emphasized Expected Schoolwide Learning Results is key for success of the entire Orange Unified organization and for our students from grades 7-12. Similar to a baseball franchise design, the organization nurtures and focuses on the development of students with skills for both organizational and individual success. 

Our focus continues to be developing students with secondary school skills such as communication, successful writing and successful mathematics course completion and fostering student confidence to be resilient and productive learners. 

By greatly increasing the likelihood of student success in each school grade level leading up through all grade levels 7-12, increased state test scores, school connectedness including optimal school attendance and extracurricular participation leads to excellent high school graduation rates and college and career readiness. 

Lunch Break

Time: 11:50 AM - 12:20 PM

Catered lunch will be provided.

Playing to Win: Turning Challenges into Wins for School Improvement

Time: 1:25 PM - 1:40 PM Presenter: Telly Roberts

Embracing WASC: A Game-Changing Strategy for School Success

We will discuss how a struggling school can turn challenges into victories through the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) accreditation process. WASC promotes best practices in organization, instruction, school culture, and systems supporting student success. At our school, constant changes in leadership and staff left us without a game plan, leading to a lack of accountability and support.

As WASC Coordinator, I saw WASC as a game-changer. Just like in sports, reflection is crucial. It can reveal tough truths but also opportunities for growth. We rallied our team—faculty and administration—with a winning strategy for improvement. Initially met with doubt, our optimism eventually fueled belief in long-term success.

Our journey mirrors sports: resilience, commitment, and belief in our potential. Though early in our game plan, we no longer fear the WASC process. Instead, we embrace it, urging other schools to do the same. Join me as we share our playbook and insights on how WASC can be a game-winning play for school transformation.

Break

Time: 1:55 PM - 2:05 PM

Driving Academic Victory: The Slam Dunk Approach to Educational Excellence

Time: 2:25 PM - 2:40 PM Presenters: Kevin Morris, Laurent Lanuqueitte, and Stephen Clayton

Discover the transformative educational approach pioneered by Mt. Olive Innovation & Technology High School (MIT). Through innovative online instructional recovery courses, MIT has crafted a dynamic learning environment centered around film electives that equip students with essential career skills and foster academic success.

By flipping traditional education paradigms, MIT employs online classes for core instruction, offering unparalleled flexibility to students. Specialized film electives, coupled with the CHILL Thursdays program—Career and Health Interventions & Life-Skills Literacy—provide students with choices in well-being and career development, accredited by WASC.

Embracing a cinematic arts focus, MIT has rebranded as an alternative school, attracting students seeking a dynamic, technology-driven educational experience. The Mt. Olive Innovation & Technology Film Academy (MITFA) offers a script-to-screen curriculum, guided by industry professionals, preparing students for careers in the film industry and beyond.

Experience personalized learning at MITFA, where hands-on filmmaking nurtures individual talents and passions. MITFA stands as a beacon of innovation, providing pathways for higher education and direct workforce entry, empowering every student to shine on the silver screen and beyond. Join us at Mt. Olive Innovation & Technology High School, where creativity meets career readiness in a transformative educational journey.