Dugsi Academy Charter School

“Members and stakeholders are the families, governing body and staff of the school.”

“Parents of students and staff members elect the school's governing board.”

“Once the 990 is completed, a copy is provided to the executive director and board via email.”

“Board members receive required board training which includes topics such as conflicts of interest.”

“Executive director will be evaluated each year by board. Staff/parent surveys are taken each year at year end. Compensation for all employees including the director are recommended to the board via the budget which is then approved by the board. The board approves employment contracts.”

“Documents open to public inspection would be made available upon request.”

“Dugsi academy hired an instructional coach. The purpose of an instructional coach is to improve academic outcomes for students through supports provided to teachers. The instructional coach is a professional developer who teaches educators how to use evidence-based teaching practices and to support them in learning and applying these practices. The coach plans professional development based on teacher needs, models lessons for teachers, co-plans and teaches in various classrooms, completes daily walk through and observations, mentors new teachers and provides extra support for struggling teachers. Dugsi academy has implemented a tiered intervention system to meet the needs of all students. This multi-level intervention system uses progress monitoring, data-based decisions, and evidence-based instruction to improve student achievement . All students are screened using the nwea formal assessment 3 times a year to determine instructional level and need. Classroom teachers also conduct daily formative assessments and unit tests to determine which students need extra help. Struggling students receive extra intervention support in ell small group instruction, title small group instruction, and small group or one-on-one instruction from the classroom teacher during a designated daily school-wide intervention time. Dugsi academy implemented a sheltered instruction program for new-to-country students to maximize their learning in all subject areas to decrease the achievement gap and catch them up to their grade level peers. In this program students are placed in a remedial math class with a lower teacher-to-student ratio, very small group science and social studies classes taught by ell teachers that focus on vocabulary and writing development, and a small group ita (initial teaching alphabet) class that speeds up english language development and reading. The students in this program have the same 3-8 students in all of their classes so they feel very comfortable in their new school setting. To increase student engagement, on-task behavior, responsibility, and social skills, as well as to decrease disruptive and defiant behavior dugsi academy has continued the responsive classroom program and adopted a new service learning program. Students participate in classroom projects that improve their school, community, or world. Students struggling in the classroom setting also attend small group meetings with the school psychologist to develop social skills and positive behavior management. Teachers struggling with classroom management and discipline also receive extra coaching to improve their practice.”