Letter from CEO, Mr. Winters to the CCS Community

535 James Hance Court
Exton, PA 19341
610-903-1300 
610-903-1317 
www.collegiumcharter.com
January 5, 2015
Dear Members of the Collegium Community:
Happy New Year to all our Collegium families! During the past year or so, there were a number of
changes in education in Pennsylvania and across our country. Collegium remains responsive to these
changes, and as we ring in the New Year, I’d like to share with you what we are doing and planning.
What are the changes?
This school year, Collegium and schools across the state have been required to transition to the new PA
Core Standards. For more information about these standards, please review the PA Core information
available at http://bit.ly/1wZglZ2. The PSSA (state-wide standardized assessments) that the students in
3rd-8th grades take this school year will assess their proficiency in meeting the new standards. The
assessments will be administered differently this year. The Math section and the ELA (English
Language Arts) section are given in separate weeks, and there will no longer be a stand-alone writing
test for 5th and 8th grades, as writing is now part of the ELA test for all tested grades. Overall, the new
standards require more critical thinking from students. Instead of focusing only on content, there is an
emphasis on the application of content to real life situations.
For our high school students, the Keystone Exams remain in place without substantial changes. To be
eligible for graduation, students in the Class of 2017 and beyond must score proficient or advanced on
three exams (Biology, Algebra 1, and Literature). A student who does not score proficient or advanced
will be required to retake the Keystone Exam after participating in a remediation program for the
specific exam. Again, a score of proficient or advanced is required for graduation. We will use the
courseware available through Plato (more information follows on Plato) to provide an online option for
test preparation and remediation for the Keystone Exams.
What has Collegium done so far?
We responded to the new standards and changing PSSAs by revising some of our elementary curriculum
content and assessments. Specifically, elementary math was completely revised. Some content has
shifted down a grade level (e.g. some fourth grade content is now covered in third grade) and our
Critical Milestone Questions (CMQs) are now project-based assessments to measure a student’s ability
to apply math content to real life situations.
Our elementary Language Arts curriculum and instruction have been modified to reflect a greater focus
on the new PA Core Standards. As a result, we renewed our dedication to differentiated instruction to
help our students achieve higher levels of academic proficiency. We are in the process of adding new
resources and themed literature to better inspire a love of reading and writing in our students. Our
CMQs will assess the application of Language Arts skills while focusing on themes that are important to
us as a school – diversity, citizenship, innovation, social justice, conservation, and generosity.
What is Collegium planning for the remainder of 2014-2015?
We purchased additional hardware and new web-based applications that will be available for teachers
and students. The hardware includes: 11 class sets of iPads (30 per set) and 1 class set of Chromebooks
(30 per set). We extended internet bandwidth campus-wide and increased wireless access points in all
of our school buildings. The applications include: Formative Assessment System for Teachers (FAST)
grades K-6; Waggle for Math and ELA, grades 3-6; Study Island (grades 3-8); and, Plato (Keystones:
Algebra 1, Biology, and 10th Grade Literature). Waggle, Study Island, and Plato can also be used at
home by students. For those who are interested, more detailed information about each application is
included at the end of this letter. Students and faculty will start using these tools later this month.
In addition to these resources, we will be adding a few additional staff members this month – mostly
instructional assistants (IA). These IAs will be used in place of certified teachers to cover study halls
and monitor lunch periods thus allowing our certified teachers to spend more time providing individual
and small group support to students. The IAs will also assist teachers and students with accessing the
new web-based applications and using the data the applications provide.
What is Collegium planning for 2015-2016?
Some plans are already in place for 2015-2016 and more will be announced later as planning continues.
Prior to the start of 2015-2016, we will evaluate the effectiveness of the web-based applications used
this year. If determined to be effective, their use will continue. If not, replacement applications will be
pursued.
After reviewing research, collecting parent feedback, and receiving faculty feedback, we decided that
our practice of looping teachers/classes in grades K/1 and 2/3 will end after 2014-2015. We recognize
that some families love looping and will be disappointed to see it go. However, we have an obligation to
our students to regularly evaluate all our educational practices to ensure that we do not continue to do
something simply because we have been doing it for years. One mission of charter schools in PA is to
innovate education. When Collegium was founded, the concept of looping appeared to offer positives
associated with student/teacher and parent/teacher relationships as well as with student learning. Over
the years, while we have seen some evidence of the positives associated with looping, an increase in
expectations for student learning and proficiency with the revised standards has created a need for
teachers to re-focus on grade-specific content and instructional strategies. Our teachers cannot do this
while looping back and forth between grade levels. Discontinuing looping allows teachers to become
more focused and experienced with the academic standards and developmental expectations for one
grade level and to more actively participate in ongoing improvement to the CCS curriculum of that
grade level. This will strengthen teachers’ abilities to better teach students of one specific grade level.
Focused teachers equal increased student learning and proficiencies.
If you’d like more information about the new web-based applications for students, please review the
information on the following page. Our leadership team and teachers will continue to work diligently
toward providing your children with improved opportunities to meet the requirements of emerging
educational standards, and our hope is that you will share in our determination as we continue to
innovate education for our students.
Your Partner in Education,
Bill Winters, CEO
Waggle for Math and ELA, grades 3-6
Waggle provides online resources in Math and ELA for students and teachers. This program is aligned
to the Core Standards. It includes components that assess students’ needs and gives them practice
activities related to those needs. Waggle provides teachers and administrators with real time data on
student progress related to the standards, and helps students prepare for the PSSAs. Waggle offers
students the ability to practice in a way that is fun and enjoyable. Waggle can be used at home or on
mobile apps by students. Teachers will provide login information to students in the coming weeks.
Study Island (grades 3-8) and Plato (Keystones: Algebra 1, Biology, and 10th Grade Literature)
Study Island and Plato are online assessment, practice, and instructional resources for skill development
and PSSA/Keystone preparation and remediation. Study Island and Plato provide real time data for
teachers and administrators in a format that engages and encourages students. Plato provides students
with an online Keystone remediation course as well as additional instructional materials for teachers of
Keystone courses. Study Island and Plato can be used at home or on mobile apps by students. Teachers
will provide login information to students in the coming weeks.
Formative Assessment System for Teachers (FAST) grades K-6
FAST is a suite of standardized assessment tools designed to make assessment highly efficient and
instructionally relevant in ELA and Math. Assessments are designed for screening, progress monitoring,
and program evaluation. Technology will be used to automate the scoring, data entry, analysis, and
reporting allowing teachers to spend less time assessing and more time engaged with students. The tools
are quick and easy, enjoyed by students, and provide a wealth of reliable data on student progress. The
data is used by teachers to differentiate instruction for their students.

Download Report