The Abbotsford Board of Education Report on Student Achievement January 2015

Measuring Up:How are we doing?

www.sd34.bc.ca

• 11% Aboriginal • 11% English language learners• 9% students with special needs• 33% vulnerability rate for students entering kindergarten• 2,315 students access Distributed Learning • 259 students enrolled in Alternate Education

A Culture of Improvement

Early Learning Successes

Diverse Learning Environments

Message from the

Board Chair

Cindy Schafer

It is a pleasure to present the second Annual Report on Student Achievement to our community. We occasionally hear concerns about public education, yet it is our experi-ence here in Abbotsford that there is so much to celebrate. We applaud the many achieve-ments of our students, teach-ers, support staff, and leaders who make our schools amazing places to learn.

We aim to provide the finest educational opportunities we can for every student. The Board’s Strategic Plan remains focused on providing, “A world-class, innovative and individu-alized educational experience for every student”. Thank you for your interest and support of public education in the Abbots-ford School District.

Despite our high achievement in Abbotsford, we remain committed to improve-ment. At the elementary and middle level, we have established diverse programs for our equally diverse student populations (see below). In addition to the strong neighbourhood school programs, choices are available in French Immersion, Inte-grated Arts, Traditional Schools, as well as an International Baccalaureate Middle Years Program, Soccer and Hockey Academies.

At the secondary level, academic opportunities are available through our Interna-tional Baccalaureate Program, Advanced Placement courses and our Virtual School program. In Careers and Trades, students may access one of fourteen programs (in technology, trades, and business), many of which provide post-secondary credits. We also host academies in hockey, baseball/softball and golf. For more information visit: www.sd34.bc.ca/programs

The graph (above left) displays the percentage of each of BC’s 60 school districts’ students who are vul-nerable upon entering kindergarten. The graph above (right) shows the reading, writing and numeracy performance (in meeting or exceeding expectations) of Abbotsford students who participated in Strong Start Programs, compared to those who did not.

We have an ambitious goal to have all students meet reading expectations by the end of grade three. It is essential that we work closely with parents and the community to provide the best early learning environments. The Board of Education has invested in several early learning programs, which include 13 Strong Starts and 21 school-based pre-school programs located in various elementary schools around the district. Learn more at www.sd34.bc.ca/StrongStarts-ReadySetLearn

60

65

70

75

80

85

90

Gr. 4 Reading Gr. 4 Writing Gr. 4 NumeracyDistrict Average SS Cohort

Students Attending Strong Starts

0  

10  

20  

30  

40  

50  

60  

70  

80  

90  

Kindergarten Vulnerability Ranking (%)

Abbotsford

Message from the

Superintendent

Kevin Godden

Grade 4 Foundation Skills Assessment Reading

Achievement Results

Grade 4 Foundation Skills Assessment Numeracy

Our plans to improve:

Graduation SuccessesGraduation RatesCareer Program Completion Rates

Our plans to improve:

As you can tell from this snapshot of our results, Abbotsford School District remains a provincial leader in academics, the arts and athletics. It is a testament to our talented teachers and support staff, as well as the very fine leadership in our schools. Their work speaks to an unsurpassed dedication to developing the citizens and leaders of tomorrow.

In spite of our successes, we are committed to strength-ening our achievement, and expanding opportunities for our students. It is our goal to provide the best possible education to every student in our care, and we look for-ward to working with parents and our community to reach this ambitious goal.

60

65

70

75

80

85

2009/10 2010/11 2011/12 2012/13 2013/14

Abbotsford Provincial Avg

60

65

70

75

80

85

2009/10 2010/11 2011/12 2012/13 2013/14

Abbotsford Provincial Avg

The charts above show the percentage of students fully meeting or exceeding expectations in reading and numeracy. Our students consistently surpass the provincial average in these areas.

• Expand early learning programs • Expand new teacher mentorship program• Interventions for English Language Learners• Daily reading programs for Aboriginal students• Launch the district ‘Explo-Zone’

• Establish more choices for secondary students• Social development programming for at-risk students• Targeted interventions for Aboriginal learners• Expand industry partnerships• Pre-apprenticeship training program

“The Explo-Zone is a one of a kind inquiry centre in the province. Located at Abbots-ford Senior Secondary School, it is a place where both teachers and students from K-12 can visit to learn about hands-on and innovative instructional approaches. Employers are telling us that they want students to be creative, critical, and collabo-rative problem solvers, and our Explo-Zone will help teachers with the most effective and research tested ways to develop these skills.” Patricia Tebbutt, District Principal for Career Programs

The chart (above left) shows the completion percentage for students in 12 Career Programs. The other chart shows a graduation rate consistently above the provincial average.

80

85

90

95

100

2009/10 2010/11 2011/12 2012/13 2013/14

All 12 CTC Programs (216 Students)

75

80

85

90

95

2009/10 2010/11 2011/12 2012/13 2013/14

Abbotsford Provincial Avg

Our Strategic Direction

Stable Enrolment

Student enrolments account for approximately 98% of our revenues, and deter-mine the level of spending required throughout the school district. Our relatively stable enrolments (below) have contributed to our successful operations, and a strong financial position.

The Board of Education has a bold five point strategic plan aimed at making Abbots-ford a national leader in education. These goals were the result of significant consul-tation with staff, parents, students and community members. See more at: www.sd34.bc.ca/board/consultations

Student Enrolment

A world-class,innovative andindividualizededucational

experience forevery student.

Parental andCommunityEngagement

Ethical andInnovative Useof Technology

Flexible Accessto Programs and Services

Excellencein Teaching

Excellence in Leadership

18,500

18,600

18,700

18,800

18,900

19,000

19,100

19,200

19,300

19,400

District Revenue

Allocation of Resources

Our Board of Education allocates resources to support the priorities in its strategic plan. The Board is committed to operational efficiencies, ensuring that maximum resources are available to support classroom instruction.

The chart (below) shows a steady increase in revenue, the majority of which (92%) comes from provincial government operating grants. Revenue forecasts show that with projected enrolments increasing, total operating grants will continue to rise. Increased revenues will afford us the opportunity to allocate more funding towards district goals.

Expenses 2013-14

Salaries & Benefits82%

Supplies & Services

18%

Expenses in 2013-14

Instruction 84%

Administration 3%

Facility Operations

11%Transportation 2%

Expenses 2013-14

Historical Revenue (excluding capital)

155,000,000

160,000,000

165,000,000

170,000,000

175,000,000

180,000,000

*

*adjusted for the labour dispute

Arts• Major theatrical productions staged for the community

in 2014 included Grease, Shrek, The Little Mermaid, and Annie.

• Choral and band groups perform at regional and provincial competitions throughout the year.

• Both campuses of the Abbotsford School of Integrated Arts (“ASIA”) have been designated ‘Exemplary Schools’ by the Arts Schools Network, North America’s largest professional membership organization of specialized arts schools.

• Digital Arts Programs provide students valuable industry skills, as well as the chance to compete in provincial and national skills competitions.

Social Emotional Learning • The district is a leader with the Character Abbotsford

initiative.• Significant investment in the Erase Bullying initiative.• Student transition programs assist incoming grade 6

and grade 9 students with settling successfully into their middle and high schools.

• Student leadership and service projects with community service groups.

Other Achievements

Athletics/Sport• We celebrate a high level of achievement in school

athletics, including significant accomplishments at the provincial level in basketball, cross country, football, rugby, swimming, track and field, and wrestling.

More...• The Abbotsford Early Childhood Committee sup-

ports families with young children prior to entry into school. See: www.abbyearlyyears.com

• In partnership with the Abbotsford Rotary Club, Ab-botsford Food Bank and numerous other local organi-zations we supported the launch of the Starfish Pack Program to provide food for over 200 hungry children in our community.

• Our Aboriginal Enhancement Agreement identifies key goals and strategies to support Aboriginal learners:

www.aboriginal.sd34.bc.ca/enhancement-agreement• The 2014-15 Achievement Contract summarizes our

efforts to enhance student success: www.sd34.bc.ca/district/reports/achievement-contract

Provincial Champions - Abbotsford Middle School Huskies

RESPECT OPPORTUNITY INNOVATION