Excl

Action

plan

Program Integration

Experiential Campus-Based Learning (ExCL) will integrate with our current educational framework, providing a valuable resource for our staff and administration. ExCL is meticulously designed to foster the holistic development of essential life skills crucial for our students' future success.

Through ExCL, we will empower students to connect their academic learning to practical, real-world contexts. Each ExCL workshop will be meticulously aligned with educational standards, including the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) in ELA and Math, Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), History and Social Science Content Standards (HSSCS), California Art Standards, Career and Technical Education (CTE) standards and framework, and the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL) framework for Social Emotional Learning.

The program will offer students a cross-curricular learning experience that extends far beyond traditional credit-based education. ExCL workshops will serve as a bridge, enhancing students' comprehension of subject matter by demonstrating its relevance and application in the real world. This aligns with our commitment to not only meeting educational standards but also preparing students with the practical skills they need for a dynamic future.

ExCL goes beyond academics; it also focuses on nurturing social and emotional growth through collaboration. By engaging students in structured, positive peer interactions, we will empower them to develop essential interpersonal skills, empathy, effective communication, and adaptability. In the process, ExCL will prepare our students for meaningful engagement in an increasingly diverse and interconnected world.

Assessment and acountability

For the Experiential Campus-Based Learning (ExCL) program, we envision employing a multifaceted approach to assess student learning and monitor their progress. Our envisioned assessment methods would include performance tasks and digital workbooks, providing tangible evidence of students' engagement and comprehension during workshops. Workshop participation is expected to be a crucial component, offering real-time insights into students' active involvement in experiential activities.

Furthermore, we recognize the importance of tracking broader indicators of student success. Therefore, we would closely monitor credit completion in other courses, grades, and attendance data to gauge how ExCL participation influences students' overall academic journey and achievements.

We aspire to positively impact graduation rates, serving as a long-term indicator of program effectiveness and reflecting our commitment to helping students graduate successfully. Addressing behavioral concerns would be vital in creating a positive and inclusive learning environment in this envisioned program.

In addition to academic measures, we plan to utilize the "Panorama Perception Survey" to collect data regarding students' social-emotional well-being. This survey would help us understand how ExCL might impact students' overall emotional and social development, enabling us to tailor our program to better support their holistic growth.

By meticulously tracking this comprehensive range of information, the proposed ExCL program aims to gain valuable insights into the development of essential life skills, potential academic achievements in real-world contexts, and the possible social-emotional well-being of our students. This data-driven approach would ensure that our program evolves to meet the diverse needs of our student population effectively.

Teacher and staff development

The ExCL program could potentially be implemented and integrated into our school system through a blend of two approaches: a curriculum designer approach and an advisory approach, with individual teacher facilitators guided by a dedicated instructional specialist.

In the curriculum designer approach, certain workshops could be designed as courses suitable for teaching by any educator, complete with a pre-planned curriculum tailored for Small Group Instruction (SGI) courses. This approach offers accessibility to ExCL workshops even for sites with limited resources but may impose constraints on facilitator creativity and customization.

Conversely, the Advisory approach empowers teacher facilitators to collaborate with an ExCL instructional specialist to plan workshops tailored to the unique needs of their respective sites. This approach grants teachers the autonomy to extend learning beyond traditional classroom boundaries and into the community. Teacher facilitators can opt to create distinctive workshops with the guidance of an instructional specialist or adapt pre-designed workshops to ensure successful experiences at their individual school sites.

Resource allocation

For the ExCL program to be effective, dedicated resources for its development, growth, and expansion would be essential, much like any educational initiative. These key resources primarily encompass finances, facilities, and personnel.

Regarding finances, the initial investment into the program could be kept minimal, relying on volunteers and cost-effective activities. However, for the program to evolve and expand, there would be a growing need for investments in human capital and materials.

Facilities are a critical component for the program's success, necessitating available space on sites for workshop implementation. In certain instances, this might involve utilizing outdoor spaces near sites or making use of the main floor in learning centers.

Human capital stands as the most crucial resource required for the ExCL program to potentially achieve success. Administrative support, instructional specialists, and teacher facilitators would be indispensable in realizing the program's full potential.

equity and access

The potential ExCL program strictly adheres to all state and federal laws governing accessibility and equitable teaching practices. It is designed to be accessible to all Learn 4 Life students who meet the academic and behavioral requirements necessary for participation in extracurricular activities. Additionally, IEP/504 Plans will be effectively leveraged to aid teachers in providing appropriate accommodations for students with diverse learning needs.

Equity-focused pedagogical practices will be embraced to guarantee that all participants, irrespective of their backgrounds or abilities, can engage meaningfully. This commitment involves integrating diverse perspectives, delivering personalized learning through differentiation and Universal Design for Learning, fostering an inclusive and collaborative atmosphere, and ensuring the equitable and accurate assessment of students. The program will be enriched by culturally relevant content, and teacher facilitators will be supported through continuous professional development and data-driven decision-making, enabling them to perpetually enhance the educational experience.

Stakeholder involvement

The ExCL program values stakeholder involvement and requires community partnerships in order for students to receive the greatest educational benefit. Parent involvement and feedback will be encouraged through the presentation of performance tasks and capstone projects. Additionally, parents will be invitied to participate in post workshop surveys to collect data regarding student learning.

Community partners are crucial in the success of ExCL workshops. The use of experts from the community to mentor and transfer knowledge to ExCL students is vital meeting of the programs goal of providing real world context to student academics. Community members can provide diverse perspectives to students and give them the ability to see into ther own futures. The use of community liasons and their vast network of community partners will be a pivitol part of the development, growth and expansion of the ExCL program.

Student motivation

Learn4Life students occupy a unique position, foregoing the social activities typical of comprehensive schools to access individualized learning within our program. Increasingly, students express a desire for social collaboration and interaction. The ExCL program's workshops offer a tailored, well-structured, and purposeful platform for academic enrichment and peer collaboration, striking a balance between their individualized learning and social needs while effectively preparing them for a more enriching future.

Moreover, students have the opportunity to earn credits through their participation in ExCL workshops. Coupled with the chance to be considered for other experiential learning endeavors, students discover intrinsic motivation that fuels their continued engagement in the ExCL program. This multifaceted approach not only addresses their educational needs but also fosters a sense of belonging and achievement, creating a win-win situation for both their academic and social growth.

impact and benefits

Beyond the anecdotal evidence of positive impacts from extracurricular activities at Learn4Life schools, substantial empirical data underscores the benefits of various programs. An illustrative example can be found in the sports program at Kings Valley Academy II in Tulare. Students engaged in sports witnessed an impressive average credit completion growth of 0.97 credits per learning period, surpassing their non-athlete peers. These student athletes maintained a perfect 100% ADA (Average Daily Attendance) during their sports season and sustained this rate even after completing one sport. Over the span of 11 learning periods, student athletes consistently achieved credit completion rates of 3.36 credits per learning period, outpacing non-athlete students at 2.60 credits per learning period.

Drawing from this compelling data, we can reasonably anticipate similar positive impacts and benefits for students participating in ExCL workshops. Furthermore, it's plausible that ExCL could attract a broader spectrum of students compared to the sports program. Currently, student athletes constitute less than 4% of the student population at Kings Valley Academy II in Tulare. ExCL workshops offer diverse and accessible activities that are likely to appeal to a wider range of students, extending the reach and potential impact of these programs. This empirical evidence, coupled with the inclusive nature of ExCL, positions it as a valuable resource for enhancing student outcomes.

Feedback and reporting

The ExCL program places great importance on continuous feedback and data-driven decision-making. To achieve this, regular input from students, parents, stakeholders, and staff members will be gathered through a series of pre and post-workshop surveys. Additionally, empirical data related to key student success metrics, attendance, and academic growth will be consistently collected and reported on a quarterly basis. This rich dataset will serve as the foundation for informed decisions concerning program strengths, areas for growth, workshop offerings, and other pertinent program-related matters.

Central to the ExCL program's ethos is the commitment to data-driven decision-making. This approach fosters a high degree of accountability and ensures that the program operates at the highest standard. To maintain this level of professionalism and instructional excellence, fidelity checklists will be regularly completed and reviewed. These checklists serve as a framework for upholding best teaching practices and program integrity. Administrators will have unrestricted access to all collected data, promoting transparency and enabling them to engage with program developments at any given time. This rigorous data-driven approach underpins the program's commitment to continuous improvement and excellence.

sustainability and growth

The sustainability and growth of the ExCL program are firmly rooted in a data-driven philosophy, guided by the fundamental belief that student success will organically generate demand for the program's expansion to additional sites. Our commitment to continuous improvement serves as the compass for this journey, ensuring that each step forward is purposeful and sustainable.

Our vision for expansion envisions a controlled and scalable approach, one that nurtures growth without compromising the core integrity and effectiveness of the program. This means carefully evaluating new sites, ensuring they align with our program's mission and values, and strategically deploying resources to meet the unique needs of each community.

Ultimately, the ExCL program's expansion isn't just about increasing its footprint; it's about amplifying its positive impact on students' lives and the broader educational landscape. As we move forward, we remain dedicated to the principles of excellence, data-guided decision-making, and the unwavering belief that every student deserves access to an enriching, holistic education. Together, we'll shape a brighter and more empowered future for all.