Explain the activities in which your school will participate to increase your overall rating. Include specific details.

As evidenced in the SES Band Data, which content area(s) will be the focus for improving student achievement and why was this area chosen?

Based on the 2017-2018 Math 6-8 FSA exam scores, proficiency in 2019 Math 6-8 FSA will be the focus for improving student achievement in 2018-2019.
Additionally, the ELA Department created a goal to maintain our high level of proficiency. We have many new students attending BVS Full Time and teachers want a goal to maintain our high expectations and proficiency passing rates.

What specific BEST Practice(s) will be implemented or scaled-up to improve teaching and learning in order to increase performance within the SES Band?

The Broward Virtual School Math Team will use monthly Professional Learning Community collaboration time and math wiki resources provided by the District to identify curriculum gaps and provide enrichment assignments/activities for students. Teachers will attend content related workshops pertaining to state assessment specifications in 6 through 8. Math teachers will utilize web collaboration tools such as blackboard collaborate, white board, and skype to enhance instruction and to provide remedial/instruction. All students in 6th through 8th grade math will be provided with opportunities to engage in live weekly lessons with their teacher via Blackboard collaborate. Best practices will be shared using a collaborative approach. Parents/guardians will be provided with an FSA/EOC Exam Resource Training Guide through fsassessments.org. As a result of this collaboration, students will be offered at least four face to face Math Workshops throughout the year where they will be able to obtain remediation of skills.

The ELA Department will hold at least five face to face Academic Seminars to hone ELA skills.
The last face to face session is an in-depth FSA collaborative practice.
In addition, ELA 6th-10th Grade teachers target Level 2 students for systematic weekly reading practice skill sessions using Canvas, Newsela, and USA Test Prep.
 

Describe in detail how the BEST Practice(s) will be scaled-up.

The Broward Virtual School Math Team PLC focus in 2018-2019 is to enhance student proficiency in Florida Standards (learning goals) through ongoing measurement via discussion based assessments, performance scales. Ongoing progress will be measured using local benchmark assessments. Instructional, face to face student workshops focusing on gaps identified in the online curriculum will be offered throughout the school year. The focus of the workshops, live lessons, and USA Test Prep will be based on the following:

· 6th and 7th grade

o Ratio and proportional relationships

o Expressions and equations

o Geometry

o Statistics and Probability

o Number system

· 8th grade

o Expressions and Equations

o Functions

o Geometry

o Statistics, Probability and the Number System

· Online resources, enrichment lessons will be provided to students for review; USA Test Prep and FSAssessments.org

The ELA Team  will also provide instructional, face to face student workshops focusing on gaps identified in the online curriculum.
  Additionally, Targeted Level 2 students in 6th-10th Grade were placed in an Intensive Reading Class using the CANVAS system.
The Reading teachers use a variety of online plarforms such as Common Lit, Newsela, USA Test prep and teacher created authentic materials.
All areas of the Reading Strands in CPalms are covered.

What specific school-level progress monitoring data is collected and how often?

For both Math and ELA, weekly data is collected using USA Test Prep and Virtual Course assessments.
The ELA Team also uses weekly Newsela Reading Data.
The Math team offers a Mid Year Benchmark test.
The ELA Team will be utilizing the FAIR as a mid year Benchmark test.
 

How does the school ensure the fidelity of students not progressing towards school and district goals?

The continuous cycle of RTI, DBA's, and PLC's are the umbrella of ensuring the fidelity of students not progressing towards school and district goals.
Our past data proves that we are indeed ensuring the close monitoring of students' proficiency and we have system checks in place to make sure every student is progressing.
 

How does the school ensure that all classroom instruction is accessible to the full range of learners using Universal Designs for Learning (UDL) for effective instructional design (planning) and delivery (teaching)?

Broward Virtual students have full accessibility to the UDL for effective instructional design and delivery of teaching.
Our courses stimulate interest and motivation for learning, present content in engaging and variety of ways, and differentiate the ways that students can express what they know.
Students are engaged in performace based projects and assessments, utilize technology to express mastery of content, and provide meaningful, authentic ways for students to verbalize knowledge.
The modality of learning online is already a step in all three principles of UDL.
The instructors at BVS take it a step further by keeping careful track of gaps in instruction and remediate as necessary with Live Lessons and Face to Face Academic Seminars.

How does the school ensure Tier 1 Standards-Based classroom instruction is being implemented properly and effectively?

All Broward Virtual School students receive instruction within an evidenced based, scientifically researched core program that is aligned with state standards.
As soon as an online student demonstrates challenges or deficiencies that prevent them from working effectively, the RTI system is utilized.
Administration works closely with the School Counselors who work hand in hand with the instructors to ensure every student is on pace.
 

Describe texts used for core, supplemental, and intervention programs at each grade level. How does the school ensure students have access to a balance of literary and informational text in a variety of mediums?

Broward Virtual School utilizes FLVS courses for the core textbook for all grade levels.
Additionally each department has access to Broward's core and supplemental texts.
Leadership Team teachers regularly engage with District PD and utilize supplemental material through Canvas, Newsela, and Vocabulary.com.
Two teachers are Newsela Certfied Educators and one teacher is a Newsela Teacher Trainer.

How does your school implement the Broward County Public Schools Social and Emotional Learning Standards to ensure students are developing social and emotional skills?

In which ways are the five competencies of the Social Emotional Learning explicitly taught and/or integrated school-wide and in the classroom?

How does your school-wide policy and practices support the social emotional learning for students?

Broward Virtual School offers a unique school policy of one one one registration and orientation with students and families. Each and every student's unique and individual needs, both academically and in regards to social emotional learning, is documented in our Florida Virtual School, Virtual School Administrator (VSA) account and when applicable, in the RTI Database. Teachers share documentation logs in the VSA system, which creates an ongoing cycle of communication to support student's academic and social emotional learning. Due to our unique monthly Discussion Based Assessment (DBA) requirement in every class with every teacher, students engage with personal one on one monthly conferences with teachers. Monthly calls with Parents and Guardians are also required. This structure creates a personalized rapport with our families and helps to bridge the gap for social emotional learning that the student might not get in a brick and mortar school. Many of our students come to BVS for this very reason. We excel in this area!