The South Carolina Council on
Accreditation and School Improvement
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
Guided Self-Study Report
utilizing SACS CASI and SC State Department of Education Protocols
District Accreditation Process
District Five Schools of Spartanburg County
Dr. Scott Turner
Superintendent
Quality Assurance Review Phase
of the Quality School Improvement Process
For Continuing Accreditation
2007-2008
Standards Assessment Report
Table of Contents
Section I Executive Summary of School System Profile………………………………..…Pages 3-13
Section II Standards………………………………………………………………………... Pages 14-54
Standard 1: Vision and Purpose...... Pages 14-17
2: Governance and Leadership……………………………………………...Pages 18-24
3: Teaching and Learning…………………………………………………..Pages 25-29
4: Documenting and Using Results………………………………………...Pages 30-34
5: Resource and Support Systems………………………………………….Pages 35-42
6: Stakeholders’ Communications and Relationships……………………..Pages 43-49
7: Commitment to Continuous Improvement…………...... Pages 50-54
Overall Assessment Rubric………………………………………………………….Pages 55-58
Section III Description of Quality Assurance……………………………………..……...Pages 59-63
Section IV Conclusions…………………………...... Pages 64-65
Appendix A-Test Data
Appendix B- State Required Tests
Appendix C-
Appendix D-
Appendix E-
Section I
Executive Summary of School System Profile
Vision, Beliefs and Goals
In District Five Schools of Spartanburg County, we strive to meet the needs of “Every child, every day.” While this is a simple motto, it is not a simple task. Indeed, it is a mammoth undertaking that is courageously accepted by over 800 employees on a daily basis. Pride runs high in District Five, and even though our ten schools have won numerous awards over the years, our mission is not about awards. It is about children. As our mission statement says - We attempt to ensure that all students succeed in life choices and function as productive citizens by providing quality educational experiences in a safe, caring, and nurturing environment.
A cursory glance at our beliefs indicates that this school district is clearly focused on helping children in their maturation process, aiding their academic development, and providing them with the necessary tools to be successful in a competitive world marketplace. We believe that:
· Children are our greatest resource
· Public Education is necessary for democracy
· Integrity is taught by example
· Excellence is achievable
· Respect is mutually beneficial
· Knowledge empowers
· Diversity strengthens
· Family is the foundation of society
· Attitude makes the difference
· Compassion is the key to wisdom
· Learning is a lifelong process
· Everyone is responsible for the greater good.
In the fall of 2004 approximately 45 stakeholders in District Five completed the District Strategic Plan for continuous improvement. The schools then organized committees of stakeholders and wrote the school strategic plans based on district goals and specific school goals. Each school and the district were accredited by the SDE for the years 2006-2010. These plans are updated yearly for continued accreditation and resubmitted for approval to the SDE. The various committees used numerous documents to write the district/school improvement plans. The documents used included the district’s Board Policy Manual, the prior five-year plan, the student performance data, and the school surveys from parents, teachers and students to obtain information about climate, leadership, curriculum, resources and parent involvement. The subcommittees wrote action plans that reflect research-based strategies. To address the goals, the planning process incorporated high performance tools, stakeholder planning teams, and programs designed to improve performance throughout the district. All decisions were made through collaboration and consensus.
District goals set in 2004 and renewed annually reflect high expectations in the areas of student achievement, teacher and administration quality, climate and school facilities.
Strategic Plan Goals (3 year performance)
1. Percentage of 3rd graders scoring proficient/advanced on PACT ELA will increase from 51.6% to 63.6% by 2010. (2005/ 54.3% 2006/55.5% 2007/56.2%).
2. Percentage of 3rd graders scoring proficient/advanced on PACT Math will increase from 25.5% to 43.5% by 2010. (2005/ 30.4% 2006/33.9% 2007/34%).
3. Percentage of 3rd graders scoring proficient/advanced on PACT Science will increase 2% per year through 2010. (2005/28.7% 2006/27.5% 2007/ 29.5%).
4. Percentage of 3rd graders scoring proficient/advanced on PACT Social Studies will increase 2% per year through 2010. (2005/ 34.6% 2006/48.4% 2007/ 50.4%).
5. The percentage of our students in grades 4-8 who score proficient/advanced in ELA as measured by the PACT ELA Assessment will increase 3% each year from 2004-2005 to 2009-2010. See data charts, Appendix A.
6. The percentage of our students in grades 4-8 who score proficient/advanced in Math as measured by the PACT Math Assessment will increase 3% each year from 2004-2005 to 2009-2010. See data charts, Appendix A.
7. The percentage of our students in grades 4-8 who score proficient/advanced in Social Studies as measured by the PACT Social Studies Assessment will increase 2% each year from 2004-2005 to 2009-2010. See data charts, Appendix A.
8. The percentage of our students in grades 4-8 who score proficient/advanced in Science as measured by the PACT Science Assessment will increase 2% each year from 2004-2005 to 2005-2010. See data charts, Appendix A.
9. The graduation rate as measured on the State Report Card will increase 3% per year through 2010. (2005/ 81.8% 2006/71.6% 2007/70.2%).
10. The percentage of students in grades 9-12 who are enrolled in AP programs or Early College will increase from 10.6% to 20% by May 2010. (2005/ 6.4% 2006/19.4% 2007/ 13.6%).
11. The percentage of high school students who Pass on the first attempt in ELA as measured by the HSAP assessment will increase from 69% to 90% by May 2010. (2005/ 84.6% 2006/86% 2007/88.4%).
12. The percentage of high school students who Pass on the first attempt in Math as measured by the HSAP assessment will increase from 71.7% to 90% by May 2010. (2005/ 76.6% 2006/81.6% 2007/85.7%).
13. Percentage of Highly Qualified Teachers will increase 2% annually through 2010. (2005/91.5% 2006/91.3% 2007/99.4%).
14. Percentage of teachers returning from previous year will increase annually through 2010. (2005/ 91.4% 2006/ 91% 2007/89.2%).
15. The number of certified minority personnel hired annually will meet or exceed 10%. (2005/ 10% 2006/10% 2007/ 10.45%).
16. 100% of administrators will meet yearly goals. (Adm. from 2005 to present have all been offered continuing contracts).
17. Percentage of OSS for violent/criminal offenses will decrease each year through 2010. (2005/.2% 2006/.2% 2007/.7%).
18. Annual dropout rate will decrease 10% by 2010. (2005/ 2.4% 2006/ 4.2% 2007/3.0%).
19. Student Attendance rate will increase from 96.3% to 98% by 2010. (2005/96.3% 2006/97.5% 2007/97.3%).
20. Teacher attendance rate will increase annually. (2005/ 95.2% 2006/94.5% 2007/94.3%).
21. Percentage of parents attending conferences will increase from 98.1% to 100% by 2010. (2005/99.1% 2006/98.7% 2007/100%).
22. The % of students participating in service learning activities will be 100% as measured by District and State Service Learning Reports by May 2010. (2005/22%, 2006/33.9% 2007/49%).
23. The % of community organizations collaborating with the district will increase by 15% as measured by District Reports by May 2010. (2005/50%, 2006/65%, 2007/80%).
24. Update-upgrade all facilities to provide a safe and secure environment for all students and staff by May 2010. ($79 million dollar building program in progress).
25. Develop a district building program to meet the requirements of maintaining age-appropriate educational settings in an environment of increasing student population by June 2010. ($79 million dollar building program in progress).
26. Implement a high-speed data infrastructure in all facilities supporting voice and video as well as data which provides ubiquitous access to instructional technology resources. (Up-to-date per plan through 2007).
27. Assess capacity of district buildings and growth of student population. (Done, but will be on-going because of growth).
Academic and School-wide Awards
National Blue Ribbon
Reidville Elementary School – 2001
D. R. Hill Middle School – 1998
Carolina First Palmetto’s Finest Winners
Wellford Elementary School – 2002
D. R. Hill Middle School – 1999
Reidville Elementary School – 1998
Carolina First Palmetto’s Finest Finalists
Duncan Elementary School – 2002
Byrnes High School – 2001
Wellford Elementary School – 2001
Beech Springs Intermediate School – 2000
South Carolina EOC Palmetto Gold Award
Byrnes High School – 2004 & 2005
River Ridge Elementary School – 2002 & 2003
Reidville Elementary School – 2002 & 2003
South Carolina EOC Palmetto Silver Award
Berry Shoals Intermediate School - 2008
Beech Springs Intermediate School – 2008
Wellford Elementary School – 2008
Reidville Elementary School – 2007
Beech Springs Intermediate School – 2007
Duncan Elementary School – 2004 & 2005
Byrnes High School – 2002
South Carolina Exemplary Writing
River Ridge Elementary School – 2001 & 2005
D. R. Hill Middle School – 2002
Reidville Elementary School – 2002
Byrnes High School – 2001
Duncan Elementary School – 2001
Wellford Elementary School – 2000
South Carolina Exemplary Reading School of the Year – D. R. Hill Middle School-2001
Title I Distinguished School
Duncan Elementary School
Wellford Elementary School
International Inviting School Award
Beech Springs Intermediate School
Berry Shoals Intermediate School
South Carolina Department of Education Red Carpet Schools
Byrnes High School
Florence Chapel Middle
D. R. Hill Middle School
Berry Shoals Intermediate School
Beech Springs Intermediate School
Duncan Elementary School
Reidville Elementary School
River Ridge Elementary School
Wellford Elementary School
South Carolina EOC Closing the Achievement Gap Schools
Beech Springs Intermediate School
Berry Shoals Intermediate School
Wellford Elementary School
Reidville Elementary School
Duncan Elementary School
Wellford Elementary School
River Ridge Elementary School
Other Awards
*Byrnes High School Rebel Regiment has won 10 South Carolina Marching Band Championships
*Byrnes High School Rebel Regiment was the 2002 recipient of the John Philip Sousa Foundation Sudler Shield
*The Byrnes Air Force Junior Air Force ROTC unit has twice received the Air Force Association Sword of Excellence.
*The Byrnes Air Force Junior Air Force ROTC unit received the Distinguished Unit Award in 2006.
*The Byrnes Air Force Junior Air Force ROTC unit received the Distinguished Unit with Merit Award in 2007.
*The Byrnes Rebels football team has won the South Carolina State Championship eight times.
*Byrnes Lady Rebels Softball – 2005 AAAA State Champions
*Numerous district publications have received awards from the South Carolina Chapter of the National School Public Relations Association.
*Stephanie Seay - 2005-2006 South Carolina Teacher of the Year
*2002, 2003, 2005, 2006 – finalists for SC Teacher of the Year
*Numerous state and regional winners in art competitions, technology association competitions, drama competitions, and athletic events.
Programs and Services
The schools of District Five welcome 7,193 students of diverse backgrounds and economic means. Forty-two percent of our students qualify for free or reduced meals. We have two schools, Duncan Elementary and Wellford Elementary that are classified as federal Title I Schools. Almost 14% of our families with children birth to age 17 are living below the poverty line. Following the trend of the international business climate in our area, an international culture has developed in our schools as well. We are currently serving over 4% of students, speaking 17 different languages, in our English Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) program. Meanwhile, the median income in District Five is $41,811, which ranks as the tenth highest among the 85 school districts in our state. Sales of new and existing homes continue to trend positively in our region while other areas in the upstate of South Carolina have seen sharp declines.
The District Five staff, a group of caring, qualified, and dedicated adults, strives to meet the needs of this diverse student audience every day. We have 533 certified teachers serving in our ten schools. Of those, 108 hold a Bachelors degree, 75 have added 18 hours to their Bachelors, 177 have earned a Masters degree, 167 have earned the Masters plus 30 hours, and 6 are holding a Doctorate.
90 ADM Report
SCHOOL / GRADES SERVED / STUDENTSDuncan Elementary / K5-3rd / 524
River Ridge Elementary / K5-3rd / 591
Wellford Elementary / K5-3rd / 602
Reidville Elementary / K5-3rd / 409
Beech Springs Intermediate / 4th-6th / 859
Berry Shoals Intermediate / 4th-6th / 815
DR Hill Middle / 7th-8th / 528
Florence Chapel Middle / 7th-8th / 586
Freshman Academy / 9th / 566
James F. Byrnes High / 10th-12th / 1475
Ten percent of our teaching staff (54 teachers) currently holds National Board Certification. With an average salary of $45,087, a retention rate of 89% and an attendance rate of over 94%, the professional staff in District Five is very stable and dependable. In addition to our certified staff, we have 244 classified, or non-certified employees serving in a wide variety of roles. From providing bus transportation, serving as athletic trainers, providing assistance to teachers, maintaining our facilities, providing secretarial skills and support, to keeping our facilities immaculately cleaned, our classified staff meets a vital need in District Five. To validate the excellence that we have on our staff, we annually honor a teacher and a support employee of the year at each of our schools, and on the district level. In addition, staff members who have received awards or performed above the normal call of duty are routinely invited to our School Board meetings to receive recognition for their efforts.
Community
District Five, located on the western edge of Spartanburg County, serves students from several municipalities as well as those from unincorporated areas. The cities, towns, and municipalities of Duncan, Lyman, Reidville, Moore, Startex, Wellford, and Greer are all found within the District Five attendance boundaries; however, approximately 82% of the District’s 113 square miles is classified as rural.
Located midway between the metropolitan areas of Greenville and Spartanburg, District Five has seen radical changes in the past twenty years. Once a rural area comprised of numerous textile plants and agriculture concerns, the area is now home to a vibrant international manufacturing and industrial community. The last two decades have seen an influx of highly respected companies, including leading employers such as: the BMW Manufacturing Plant, which employs almost 5000 associates; the Sealed Air/Cryovac Corporation with over 800 employees; Draexlmaier Automotive of America, employing approximately 500; SEW Eurodrive and its 290 associates; and Westinghouse Air Brake Corporation (WABCO) with over 250 employees. District Five enjoys partnerships with these companies, as well as many others in the area, and works in conjunction with them to develop and educate a workforce that can confidently handle the challenges they will face after graduation.