Endeavor Elementary School Proposal

Endeavor Elementary school has 99 students, 4.5 students for a 22:1 student to teacher ratio for grades 4K through 5th grade. The student to teacher ratio in grade 4K through 3rd grade of 15:1 and in grade 25:1 for grades 4th and 5th grades; these ratios are exactly in line with EBAA. Odden and Picus (2014) state, “Prototypical schools with class sizes of 25 in grades 4-12 and class sizes of 15 for grades K-3 with these class sizes, a K-5 elementary school would have an average class size of 17.3” (p. 84). Hence, the class sizes used at Endeavor Elementary school are adequate as research by Oden and Picus (2014). Endeavor uses a multi-grade level approach by combining grades 5th and 4th, 3rd and 2nd, 1st and Kindergarten; the 4K class is

a half school day program. Again, this approach is endorsed by Odden and Picus (2014) in their statement, “multi-age classrooms in rural schools as one of several advantages that small, rural schools provide” (p. 85).
The instructional staff at Endeavor Elementary stands at 4.5 teachers, which is less than then 5.83 recommended using the EBAA methodology. A half of a teaching position is accounted by having a half-day 4K program. The grade levels that may benefit from an additional staff member are grades one and Kindergarten. Dividing the 1st and Kindergarten grade levels would be high on my priority list an improve Endeavor Elementary adequacy comparison to the EBAA.
Specialist teachers at Endeavor Elementary equal one full time employee (FTE), just slightly less than the 1.2 FTE recommended by the EBAA. Physical Education, Art, and Music teachers at Endeavor Elementary school are shared with two other elementary school in the district. Thus, these teachers have full-time employment in the Portage Community School District. Furthermore, an interventionist is at Endeavor Elementary for half the day and at another elementary school the other half of the day; exactly in line with the EBAA recommendation.
Thirteen percent of the students at Endeavor are identified as English Language Learners.

Therefore, the EBAA recommendation of one ELL teacher for every 100 ELL student equals 0.13 FTEs at Endeavor. Accordingly, Endeavor exceeds the EBAA recommendation with a 0.2 FTE ELL teacher that comes one day per week; again, a shared position throughout the district to equate 1 FTE for this position. Endeavor does not provide any extended day program either before or after-school as suggested by the EBAA. However, the neighboring community center offer before or after service free of charge to the community.

Endeavor Elementary offers a very robust summer school program, in fact research was recently done to investigate the possibility to provide year-round school at Endeavor. While it was determined that the community ultimately did not want year-round schooling; Endeavor does employ 3 FTEs during the summer. Grades are combined, as they are during the school year, Kindergarten and 1st grade, 2nd and 3rd grades, as well as 4th and 5th grades. The summer school fair exceeds the EBAA recommendation of slightly less than a half-time

teacher.
A unique element to the educational programing at Endeavor Elementary is the absence of a Special Education or a Gifted and Talented program. Students that qualify for special education services attend another school in the district. Student that qualify for gifted and talented services have the choice of remaining at the school or attending another school in the district that has the program. Hence, not all the student in Endeavor Elementary School attendance area attend the school due to this practice. Transportation is provided by the district to the other schools at no cost the family or the district as busing is provided to these schools for older students in the district.
Two teacher educational assistants at Endeavor exceeds the EBAA recommendation of 0.5 FTEs. Additionally, one Administrative Assistant works closely with school principal who oversees two other elementary schools. Furthermore, a 0.2 FTE library media specialist come to the school one day per week; again, shared with other schools in the district. In these areas, Endeavor meets or exceeds the EBAA recommendations.
The final four areas of comparison between Endeavor Elementary and the EBAA show vast shortfall.

First, the level of professional development funds ($1,500) are equal to fifteen percent of the EBAA recommendation of $9,900. The district uses a $15 per pupil professional development ratio for each teacher. Part of these funds must be used to cover the substitute teacher and transportation to the professional development program. Secondly, technology funding falls is twelve percent ($3,143) of the EBAA recommendation of $24,750. Accordingly, the school rotates grade levels using the funds every year to ensure technology is up to date. Additionally, instructional materials funding per student is $62 at Endeavor Elementary; well below the $165 recommended by the EBAA. Finally, student activity funding at Endeavor is strictly through fundraising done mostly by the PTO; nothing compared to the EBAA recommendation of

$24,750.
In summary, Endeavor Elementary is extremely strong in meeting or exceeding the EBAA recommendations related to staffing. However, the overwhelming area of need is funding for professional development, technology, instructional materials, and student activities. Consequently, while Endeavor Elementary is well staffed; they must do more with less. As principal of Endeavor Elementary I would look at a reduction in the number of educational assistants and reallocate those funds towards areas of need.