No. 61          Institute For Learning

The Blueprint for Student Success calls for a Learning Contract to be developed for all students who are at risk of not meeting grade-level standards. The Learning Contract documents student academic performance, required interventions, and potential consequences. It serves as an agreement among the teacher, parent/guardian, and student, outlining the responsibilities of each stakeholder in the intervention process. Attachment 2 provides a sample of the Grades 9-12 Learning Contract. (The new Learning Contract replaces all former district- and/or site developed Supportive Learning Plans or the equivalent. Please discard all prior forms.)

At-risk students are those who are below or significantly below grade level in reading/language arts and/or mathematics, based on the district-designated assessments and performance cut-points (see Attachment 3). Grades 9-12 students may also be identified at risk due to credit deficiencies or GPA. At-risk students should be identified within the first ten weeks of enrollment, and begin receiving appropriate support and intervention at the school site. Learning Contracts should be completed for each at-risk student within about four weeks after the end of the nine- or twelve-week grading period. For students at risk due to reading/language arts or mathematics performance, the Contract should be completed by the English and/or mathematics teacher(s). For students at risk due to credit deficiencies or GPA, the Contract should be completed by the counselor.

The suggested process for communicating with parents/guardians is to mail or send home the parent copy of the Learning Contract (sample cover letters will be provided). The principal can then convene a general meeting for parents/guardians of at-risk students. At this meeting, administrators, teachers, and counselors will explain the information on the Learning Contract, the available supports and interventions, and the potential consequences for students. Parents/guardians may also request an individual conference. The school may use another process as long as it includes development of the Learning Contracts by teachers/counselors, and communication with parents/guardians regarding the Learning Contract, supports and interventions, and potential consequences for students.

At the end of the year, a Student Placement form will be completed for each at-risk student; these forms will be distributed in the spring. Attachment 4 outlines the general time line for identifying students at risk, developing the Learning Contract, monitoring student progress, communicating with parents/ guardians, and making the placement decision. An optional teacher/counselor follow-up log has also been developed (see Attachment 5).

The Learning Contracts will be available on NCR and will be translated into Cambodian, Hmong, Lao, Spanish, and Vietnamese. We are trying to find translators for Somali and Tagalog. A supply of Learning Contracts in English will be distributed to all schools in early November, based on estimated numbers of at-risk students. Principals should complete and return the order form (Attachment 1) to request Learning Contracts (and parent/teacher support materials) in languages other than English. All versions of the Learning Contract will be available in the future, at no cost to the site, through the stock catalog. The follow-up log sheets (pads of 25) can also be ordered at no cost through the stock catalog.

The Parent Involvement and Support Office has developed Learning Contract support materials for teachers/counselors and parents. These materials include tips for conducting effective Learning Contract conferences, and parent handouts on supporting literacy and numeracy at home. A copy of the support materials packet is attached (Attachment 6). A supply of parent materials in English/Spanish will be sent directly to schools in mid-November, based on estimated numbers of at-risk students. Additional copies may be duplicated on site as needed. Blackline masters in other languages may be ordered by completing the appropriate section of the order form (Attachment 1). These and other materials for parents and teachers can be downloaded from the Parent Involvement and Support Office website at www.sandi.net/pare ; click on the Learning Contract and/or Parent Handout links.

Revised administrative procedures delineating the promotion/retention and placement/articulation process, as defined by the Blueprint for Student Success, are currently being finalized and should be ready for distribution in early November.