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CCA high school reassigns administrative roles, reports schedule change and ISASP gains
Summary
The high school reported a shift from grade-based AP assignments to task-based roles, new counseling alphabet assignments, an extended block schedule to 87 minutes, growth in Kirkwood and science ISASP proficiency, and several student-engagement initiatives.
Clear Creek Amana High School leaders described administrative restructuring, instructional priorities and assessment results in a presentation to the school board.
High school administrator Mr. Daniels told the board the school moved away from APs assigned by grade level and reorganized administrators by task to provide a single point of contact for behavior issues (a dean-type role) and to better coordinate career and technical partnerships, including Kirkwood work-based learning. Daniels said the change responded to staff feedback that one administrator focused on behavior would reduce inconsistencies.
Counseling assignments were redesigned from a ninth-grade counselor plus split assignments to a three-way alphabet division so counselor time is used more effectively, Daniels said. He added the building has increased counselor outreach, including small-group work for at-risk students.
Instructional changes included lengthening class blocks from 82 to 87 minutes “to meet the number of credit hours” required for courses and to move the semester deadline so it does not end before December. Daniels said leadership has formed three "lighthouse" staff teams focused on academics, culture and special assignments; the academic team is working with an AEA consultant on formative assessments and PLC (professional learning community) best practices.
Daniels reviewed student-support and special-education service-delivery planning, saying the district aims to match student needs with appropriate levels of support rather than default to pull-out services. He reported 298 students participating in Kirkwood this year (he later said 84 students had signed up for job shadows, and that number had been increasing) and estimated that Kirkwood participation could be producing cost savings approaching $500,000 compared with prior arrangements. He asked the board to consider that some numbers in his slides were updated the day before the presentation and cited an earlier figure of 73 that he believed was already outdated.
On statewide assessments, Daniels and board members noted generally stable ISASP scores with a significant jump in science proficiency among sophomores (reported as rising to 81% in one slide). Daniels suggested two possible causes: testing in content areas and timing of the science test in the testing schedule.
Daniels and the student representative, Gretchen, also described student activities: a club rush on 0 Day to connect students with extracurriculars, upcoming homecoming events (parade, pep rally, dance) and athletics (volleyball, football, cross-country, swimming). Gretchen said the cell phone policy implemented near the end of the prior school year remains in place and has generated little pushback.
Board members asked about bridging eighth-to-ninth-grade transitions; Daniels said the school has increased inclusion of middle-school students in early high-school activities and will continue developing orientation and club-connection strategies.
No formal board action was taken; the presentation was informational.
