Previous Story
WASC commends Dandan focus on learning process
|
Posted on Mar 01 2009
A visiting team from the Western Association of Schools and Colleges left Dandan Elementary School Thursday confident about the school’s chances of reaffirming its six-year accreditation.
In a four-page report, the panel lauded the school’s focus on learning process resulting in a more effective operation and collaboration between and among teachers and students.
“Dandan school is to be commended for going through the focus on learning process. They have identified strengths as well as critical areas for follow up that led to the design of their action plan…the staff is a caring group who believe in what they do and the students they serve,” the report indicated.
The team had enumerated various “strengths” of the Home of the Tottot: active, motivated, enthusiastic, and respectful students; teachers who are dedicated, conscientious and go above and beyond for their students; and visionary administration and role models of administrators and staff.
The active involvement of the school’s parents-teacher association was also lauded along with the strong show of support by the Board of Education.
Principal Jonas Barcinas was elated after learning about WASC’s good comments.
“The school has strong collaboration between and among teachers as well as the mentoring that occurs with all staff members,” the report said, adding that the school made a lot of opportunities for students to perform.
The team said the school’s decision-making process is also commendable.
In order to continue the school’s good performance, DES was encouraged to develop a school-wide and grade-level action plan that contains specific and focused goals.
“These goals should be measurable and achievable and based on data. The school should ensure that identified personnel are held accountable and include a timeline that ensures progress is monitored and adjustments made when necessary,” the same report added.
School management is also recommended to use open-ended, inquiry-based questions in order to motivate and challenge students and to extend their thinking.
DES earlier reported to WASC that by August 2010, all its teachers and administrators will achieve a passing score in Praxis I and II.
