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Accomplishments

INSTRUCTION

CSSD students follow the same course of study as students in San Diego Unified School District (SDUSD). Core courses are standards based and University of California a-g approved. The School uses a University Model so students are able to master one to two subjects at a time. All courses are specifically developed to ensure students meet state standards. Courses are sequenced in the same order as those at traditional schools. This facilitates CSSD's mission to re-direct students to traditional schools with the skills that will enable them to achieve a higher level of success. Annually, over 55% of CSSD students are redirected to district schools. Students returning to traditional school achieve a grade point average approximately one grade point higher than they did before attending CSSD. From 2004-2007, CSSD has graduated over 1,300 students with a total of 90,480 service learning hours completed. Over 90% of the graduates either continue with their education, enter into a trade, or join the military. Within these same years (2004-2007) over 70% of CSSD students attended community college or a four-year university after graduation. There has been a 12% increase from 2006 to 2007 of students attending a four-year university. Some of these universities include: California State University-San Diego, San Jose, and San Francisco; University of California-Berkeley, Santa Barbara, Santa Cruz, and San Diego; University of Oregon, University of Adelaide, and South Oregon University.

CSSD participates in all required state accountability measures. Students at CSSD participate in the California Standards Tests (CSTs), California Assessment Test (CAT6), California High School Exit Examination (CAHSEE), California English Language Development Test (CELDT), and Fitnessgram. Students have an opportunity to take the Preliminary Scholastic Achievement Test (PSAT), Scholastic Achievement Test (SAT), the California High School Proficiency Exam (CHSPE), and the General Education Development Exam (GED). In addition to the state and federal accountability measures, CSSD uses a variety of indicators to display its success. CSSD has a different group of students each year, which impacts school results. This is especially significant because CSSD is transforming the lives of those students who were not performing well in traditional school environment and who are now, in most cases, outperforming those attending other alternative school settings. In 2004, CSSD's Academic Progress Index (API) Growth increased by 83 points from a base of 554 to 637. This was an exceptional growth that has been a challenge to maintain due to the student population that the school serves. Students enroll at CSSD because they are disengaged from education and at risk of not graduating. Some of the key factors are:

  • social/emotional issues
  • bullying/fear for safety
  • health challenges
  • behavior/discipline problems
  • credit deficiencies
  • low performance in reading, language usage, and mathematics
  • failing the CAHSEE

Students enroll at CSSD because they seek a safe and supportive learning environment. CSSD continues to maintain a 0% suspension/expulsion rate; this is attributed to the small learning environment which promotes respect, integrity, and a focus on academia.

CSSD has a unique way of measuring student outcome results and holding teachers accountable for student achievement. The Learning Performance Index (LPI) was created to measure and to evaluate student progress in producing quality school work at the set target rate. From 1994 to 2006, the CSSD Learning Performance Index increased by 27%. The increase in LPI can be attributed to the increased effectiveness of several key processes. Student success has been increased through the creation of a supportive and safe learning environment. Focus has been placed on professional development for the instructional staff and regular communication and collaboration with parents and students. The development of the Personalized Education Plan (PEP) for each student complements the rigorous curriculum developed by the teachers for the students. In the last five years, CSSD has experienced a decrease in student readiness upon enrollment. Data shows many students as much as three years behind grade-level when entering the school. The need for CAHSEE support has increased the number of students seeking assistance. In spite of this, the instructional teams have worked diligently to further develop rigorous instruction which supports students' admission to four-year universities. A 27% increase in productivity is exceptional considering the ongoing acceptance of needier students and the higher state and federal-level academic expectations.

BUSINESS AND FISCAL SERVICES

  • CSSD has experienced a steady increase in General Purpose Entitlement and Categorical funding as a result of continued growth in enrollment and an increase in P2 ADA (Learning Productivity).
  • CSSD's key measures and indicators for budgetary and financial performance support the objective to remain fiscally solvent. Tracking costs and resources allows senior management to make effective educational decisions and ensures the fiscal solvency of the organization. The School has experienced a solid increase in fund balance from year to year.
  • The school's financial commitments and obligations have been in good standing and continue to remain the same. CSSD has a sound plan for meeting short-and long-term commitments as reflected in the budget.
  • The school's annual budgets, long-term budget projections, and monthly cash flow projections are detailed and comprehensive. CSSD is in a strong financial position. The projections demonstrate that the school will remain in a strong fiscal position over the course of the next five years. The revenue and expenditure projections are based on sound data and generally conservative assumptions.
  • CSSD follows in a timely fashion an annual budget development, adoption and monitoring schedule. Annual budgets and revisions are approved by the Governing Board, which meets quarterly to monitor revenue and expenditures. Budgets have been proven to be reasonably accurate predictors of actual expenditures. The budget is monitored against actuals on a regular basis. The governing board makes sound adjustments to the budget in response to variations.
  • SB 740 authorizes a charter school that has an approved charter to receive funding for nonclassroom based instruction only if a determination of funding is made by the State Board of Education. In 2005-2006, CSSD was awarded a five-year “determination of funding” at 100% by the State Board of Education, the highest rate permitted by law.
  • In 2003, CSSD joined the Fringe Benefit Consortium (FBC) of San Diego and Imperial County Schools to provide the best benefit at a lower possible cost to its employees. CSSD offers self-insured health plans. The School consistently adds resources to this fund to increase the reserve amount.
  • In 2003, CSSD joined the Risk Management Joint Powers Authority (JPA) of San Diego and Imperial County Schools to acquire extensive coverage for property (Real and Personal) Insurance, Auto Liability, General Liability, Errors and Omissions Liability, Employment Practices Liability and Workers Compensation. CSSD procures additional coverage under Schools Excess Liability Fund (SELF).
  • Workers' Compensation contributions of a member of JPA is determined by applying Experience Modification Factors (Ex-Mod factor). Experience Modification Factors are used to modify member contributions. Ex- Mod factors help to reward members with better than average loss history. The factor for CSSD is set at 0.75 for 2007-2008, a savings of nearly $31,000 over 2005-2006 when the factor was set at 0.89.
  • The School completes an annual independent audit conducted by a certified public accountant (CPA) in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. Audits found that financial statements were an accurate reflection of the school's financial position, no internal controls weakness related to financial reporting and that the school complied with compliance requirements applicable to charter schools, including matters related to attendance accounting, non-classroom-based/ independent study, and other factors. Audits have been consistently unqualified with no findings.
  • CSSD voluntarily maintains a separate reserve account with the county treasury (in the amount of $500,000) as a Facility Lease/ Contingency Fund.

HUMAN RESOURCES

One of CSSD's strategic objectives is to attract, hire and retain highly qualified faculty and staff. CSSD provides extensive support, services and benefits to engage and satisfy the workforce in order to retain those that CSSD carefully hires. Over the past six years CSSD has averaged 87.3% faculty retention rate. This is 7% above the industry average. This high level of retention helps CSSD remain on target with capacity and capability goals. CSSD provides exceptional opportunities for professional development for teachers and staff. Over the past five years CSSD has consistently offered over 60 hours per teacher in training time – higher than two other Malcolm Baldrige award winners. This includes professional development, instructional conferences, new teacher training, and other meeting/training structures. This well exceeds the American Society for Training and Development (ASTD) “best” benchmark for training at 45 hours per employee.

  • All CSSD teachers hold the appropriate California Teacher Credential. Of the current faculty members 46% hold a masters degree. CSSD strongly believes that a faculty with a high level of education helps to better teach students, develop more innovative ideas and increase the efficiency and effectiveness of work.
  • CSSD employees are paid 5% above SDUSD salary schedules for comparable positions.
  • CSSD offers both State Teachers Retirement System (STRS) and California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS) to its employees for retirement coverage.
  • CSSD is committed to providing quality benefits to its entire workforce. The school belongs to the Fringe Benefits Consortium (FBC) of San Diego County and Imperial Schools to provide the best benefits at a lower possible cost. The school offers a self-funded comprehensive benefit plan at no cost to employees.
  • All CSSD monthly employees are covered under the school sponsored Health and Wellness program. CSSD pays the premiums for monthly employees and their eligible dependents to enroll in medical, dental, vision, chiropractic, life and Accidental Dismemberment and Disability (AD&D), employee assistance program, and leave benefits.
  • CSSD employees may elect from a variety of voluntary benefits that have been negotiated at competitive prices. The voluntary benefits include: life and AD&D, legal assistance, short and long-term disability, additional retirement options, and many more.
  • Teachers, professional, and management employees are covered by a school-paid $2,000,000 professional liability insurance policy through the American Association of Educators.
  • CSSD's new employee selection process utilizes the online ED-JOIN Recruitment and Information Management system developed by California County Superintendents Educational Services Association (CCSESA) and the California Teacher Recruitment and Incentive Program (Cal-TRIP).
  • In 2003, CSSD transferred the payroll system from SDUSD to the San Diego County office of Education (SDCOE), and in 2007 added the use of their Human Resources System.

COMMUNITY

  • Partnership with the community provides resources to support students and their families. Partnerships include: SAY San Diego, NICE GUYS, Rotary Club of San Diego, The Jenna Druck Foundation, Harmonium, Home Start, Family Health Centers of San Diego, Comprehensive Health Centers of San Diego, Building Bridges Together/ Mental Health Systems, CAL-Works Job Club, University of California, San Diego (UCSD)-Division of Community Pediatrics, Vista Hill, Westfield Shopping Town Centers.
  • The CEO Advisory Council provides advice, expertise, and resources related to charter schools, community relations, and other areas relevant to the success of the School. It is composed of distinguished active and retired executives from the public and/or private sectors of education, business, and government.
  • In the Fall 2007, Parent Surveys, more than 95% of parents are satisfied with the overall experience of their students at CSSD. They are satisfied with the skills their students learn to achieve academic success (94%), and the availability of the teacher to discuss academic progress (91%) and meet the students' academic needs (93%). In addition, parents highly rate their satisfaction (98%) with the school's instructional materials and overall classroom environment.
  • Students rate their satisfaction at similar levels when asked the same questions. The factor students rated the highest (98%) was that they feel safe in the classroom.
  • 56% of students surveyed said they were referred by a friend; 100% of the students surveyed said they would recommend a friend.

FACILITIES

  • CSSD facilities include 20 learning centers located around the city covering over 253 square miles, an office in Old Town San Diego which includes a student intake/orientation center, and a 21,000 square-foot building in the Sorrento Mesa area (purchased in 2005) that houses classrooms, student services center, conference rooms, and offices.
  • Learning centers are exceptionally clean, safe, and orderly. All meet American Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements.
  • To maintain settings conducive to personalized teaching and learning, the number of students at a site at any given time is limited to approximately 20 students.
  • CSSD has developed a comprehensive school safety plan that meets state requirements and is reviewed annually.

TECHNOLOGY

  • Each learning center/is equipped with a local area network that includes desktop computers, laptops, color laser printers, and high-speed copiers.
  • Wireless connectivity is available in administrative and learning center facilities for use by staff and students.
  • CSSD has a wide variety of curriculum software available school-wide for student use to support the educational program including literacy and reading.
  • CSSD adopted Northwestern Evaluation Association's (NWEA) Measures of Academic Progress (MAPs) to provide accurate, useful information about student achievement and growth. It is a state-aligned computerized adaptive assessment tool used in the following subject areas: Reading, Language Usage and Mathematics.
  • CSSD administrative center and the 20 learning centers are equipped high bandwidth WAN utilizing a combination of fiber OC3/T3 lines, T1 lines, SBC/PacBell ATM services. High-speed Internet access is available for all computers.
  • Critical server/network infrastructure is housed at co-location facility with tape rotation to off site location. Fractional DS3 at co-location site feeds each office with T1 (Bonded T1s for Sorrento Mesa and Old Town locations)
  • Network security is handled through a Sonicwall Pro 3060 Security Appliance, Trend Micro Client/Server/Messaging Suite and Commtouch Anti-Spam Enterprise Solution.
  • Security and disaster recovery procedures are in place.