Block+Island+School+Spring+2011

Corlies Black

= Block Island School =

Fax: 401-466-5610
Introduction

The Block Island School is a kindergarten through 12th grade school located on Block Island, RI. It is the only school in the New Shoreham School District. Students learn in a very unique and safe environment found nowhere else. Students receive very personal attention from teachers and develop strong relationships with both teachers and students. Block Island students learn to interact with students of all ages and typically benefit from the availability of older students to be role models and set examples. At the Block Island School students learn to respect each other, their educators, and their beloved island. When considering whether to send your student to the Block Island School, there are several factors you should consider. The following report is the result of research designed specifically to help you in your decision.

=Community Background & District **Summary** = Block Island was found by the Dutch explorer Adrian Block in 1614. Block Island was established and settled in 1661 by sixteen Massachusettian families. Since then, the island has contiuned to grow as both a summer tourtist destination and home for nearly 1,000 year-round residents

Block Island is a small (7 miles by 3 miles) island 12 miles off the Southern coast of Rhode Island. The average population is just under 1,000 year-round residents. However, on any given July day there could be as many as 20,000 tourists and summer residents on Block Island. Block Island offers a lifestyle unlike most others. Block Islanders typically enjoy nature walks, enjoying the 26+ miles of beaches, and tight-knit community events.

The median family income, $81,477 in 2009, is higher than the US median family income of $51,425. Block Island's poverty level was lower than the state poverty level in 1999 (7.9% compared to 11.6%). The community is 97.8% white with only 2.2% of other ethnicities. There is a 0/1,000 rate of child abuse and neglect compared to the state rate of 11.7 per 1,000 children. Block Island has a 100% graduation rate (2009). (US Census)

7.5% individuals || 9.9% ||
 * || New Shoreham || US ||
 * Median Household Income || $81,477 || $81,425 ||
 * Median Family Income || 86,750 || 62,363 ||
 * Families below the poverty level || 1.7% family
 * High School Graduation rate || 94.4% || 84.6% ||
 * Speak a language other than English at home || 4.1% || 19.6% ||

Funding and Spending for the Town of New Shoreham is listed below.
 * 2008 InfoWorks Information || New Shoreham ||
 * District Property Value per student || $14,587,951.65 ||
 * District Tax rate/$1000 || $2.64 ||
 * Distrtict per pupil expenditure || $29,705.32 ||
 * Distrtict Property tax capacity || $1,775.00 ||
 * District tax effort || $20.00 ||

==**School Analysis** == Block Island offers significantly less opportunities for students seeking experiences other than academics. There are only 3 school sports teams offered: Co-ed fall soccer, girls and boys basketball in the winter, and baseball and softball in the spring. A unique characteristic of the Block Island School is the involvement with the Nature Conservancy. Students K-12 learn to appreciate and respect nature by taking frequent nature education walks with the town's Nature Conservancy through miles of preserved land on Block Island. The Block Island School community provides opportunities for students to travel to learn about other students and lifestyles. These trips include a weekend in New York City, a week on a sailboat, and a week-long trip for seniors to participate in the Close Up program in Washington DC.

The teacher to student ration is 1:5, which allows for individual attention and unique bonds between student and teacher. Typically, class sizes are between 10-20 students. This small size allows for strong, life-long bonds between students. The Block Island School has about 130 students K-12.

Following information is from kidscount.org
 *  ** Qualifications and Teacher-student Ratio ** ||  ** State **  ||  ** Your district **  ||   ||
 * Teachers with Emergency Certification 2009 || 1% || 0% ||  ||
 * NOT highly-qualified teachers '09-10 || 3% || 4% ||  ||
 * Teacher- Student ratio '09-10 || 1:11 || 1:5 ||  ||

During the 2010 NECAP testing, students of the Block Island School scored higher than the state average. The following diagram shows the test scores from fall 2010.


 * <span style="display: block; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: center;"> ** NECAP Assessments ** || <span style="display: block; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: center;"> ** State **  || <span style="display: block; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: center;"> ** Your district **  ||
 * <span style="color: #ff0000; font-family: Calibri; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">3rd Grade Reading || <span style="color: #ff0000; font-family: Calibri; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">71 || <span style="color: #ff0000; font-family: Calibri; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">92 ||
 * 3rd Grade Math || 62 || 75 ||
 * <span style="color: #ff0000; font-family: Calibri; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">4th Grade Math || <span style="color: #ff0000; font-family: Calibri; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">63 || <span style="color: #ff0000; font-family: Calibri; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">73 ||
 * <span style="color: #ff0000; font-family: Calibri; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">4th Grade Reading || <span style="color: #ff0000; font-family: Calibri; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">68 || <span style="color: #ff0000; font-family: Calibri; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">82 ||
 * <span style="color: #ff0000; font-family: Calibri; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">8th Grade Math || <span style="color: #ff0000; font-family: Calibri; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">54 || <span style="color: #ff0000; font-family: Calibri; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">69 ||
 * <span style="color: #ff0000; font-family: Calibri; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">8th Grade Reading || <span style="color: #ff0000; font-family: Calibri; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">74 || <span style="color: #ff0000; font-family: Calibri; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">76 ||
 * <span style="color: #ff0000; font-family: Calibri; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">8th Grade Writing || <span style="color: #ff0000; font-family: Calibri; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">61 || <span style="color: #ff0000; font-family: Calibri; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">69 ||
 * <span style="color: #ff0000; font-family: Calibri; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">8th Grade Science || <span style="color: #ff0000; font-family: Calibri; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">22 || <span style="color: #ff0000; font-family: Calibri; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">33 ||
 * <span style="color: #ff0000; font-family: Calibri; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">8th Grade Science || <span style="color: #ff0000; font-family: Calibri; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">22 || <span style="color: #ff0000; font-family: Calibri; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">33 ||

The Block Island School offers subsidized lunch to those who qualify. Currently only 12% of students in the New Shoreham School District are eligable. That is a high contrast to the 43% of students statewide who are eligable.


 * <span style="display: block; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: center;"> ** Student Characteristics ** || <span style="display: block; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: center;"> ** State **  || <span style="display: block; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: center;"> ** Your district **  ||
 * <span style="color: #ff0000; font-family: Calibri; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">Student eligibility for subsidized lunch || <span style="color: #ff0000; font-family: Calibri; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">43% || <span style="color: #ff0000; font-family: Calibri; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">12% ||
 * <span style="color: #ff0000; font-family: Calibri; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">Students from Various Racial/Ethnic Backgrounds || <span style="color: #ff0000; font-family: Calibri; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">-- || <span style="color: #ff0000; font-family: Calibri; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">-- ||
 * <span style="color: #ff0000; font-family: Calibri; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">Students Receiving ESL/Bilingual Education Services || <span style="color: #ff0000; font-family: Calibri; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">5% || <span style="color: #ff0000; font-family: Calibri; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">2% ||
 * <span style="color: #ff0000; font-family: Calibri; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">Students Receiving Special Education Services || <span style="color: #ff0000; font-family: Calibri; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">16% || <span style="color: #ff0000; font-family: Calibri; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">14% ||

==<span style="color: #ff0000; font-size: 1.3em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px;">**Conclusion** == Block Island School is a very unique school in its size and location. Block Island School is perfect for students who strive to learn in a environment that is both nurturing and supportive. Block Island School students are able to grow and develop in the same school from kindergarten through high school. However, when considering if this is the right school for your child, you must consider the pros and cons. Median household income is higher than in the rest of the country, as well as the cost of living. Students do not have the same opportunities as students in schools in other schools with more programs. The Block Island School is a unique place for a unique family and student.

=<span style="color: #ff0000; font-size: 1.4em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px;">**References** = The Block Island School Homepage. About Us. Accessed March 2, 2011 at <http://www.blockislandschool.net/About.aspx> Rhode Island Kids Count. New Shoreham. Accessed February 16, 2011 at <http://www.rikidscount.org/matriarch/documents/New_Shoreham_2010.pdf> The US Census. Fact Sheet for New Shoreham, RI for the year 2000. Accessed February 16, 2011 at <http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/SAFFFacts_event=&geo_id=06000US4400950500&_geoContext=01000US%7C04000US44%7C05000US44009%7C06000US4400950500&_street&_county=New+Shoreham&_cityTown=New+Shoreham&_state=&_zip=&_lang=en&_sse=on&ActiveGeoDiv=&_useEV=&pctxt=fph&pgsl=060&_submenuId=factsheet_1&ds_name=ACS_2009_5YR_SAFF&_ci_nbr=null&qr_name=null®=null%3Anull&_keyword=&_industry= The US Census. Fact Sheet for New Shoreham, RI for the years 2005-2009. Accessed February 16, 2011 at <[]=

Peer Evaluation / Feedback for EDC 102 Context Statement**Author: (Person who wrote report.)**
 * Editor: (Person evaluating report.)**
 * Total Score for this Evaluation:** _/35 pts

The purpose of the context statement in EDC 102 is to provide each student with an opportunity to demonstrate his or her ability to research a school, its district, and its community in order to better understand its strengths and challenges. Each report should describe their school based solely on evidence that they cite in their Reference section.

As a peer editor, your tasks are:
 * Read author's report.
 * Carefully **evaluate** report by assigning a score for each criterion
 * provide **constructive comments** that will help the strengthen the author's report for each category.
 * Create a link to your evaluation at the end of the report.

Introduction = REPLACEWITHSCORE/ 5 pts.
Constructive comments about report's introduction:
 * 5 - Intro provides an overview of the upcoming analysis, including what school/district/community is being analyzed, what aspects are being analyzed, and who the report is intended to inform. || 4 - Intro names the school/district/community and previews the scope of the report, but does not describe who the report is intended to inform. || 3 - Intro names the school/district/community but not much else. || 2 - Intro fails to name the school, district, and community. || 0 - No introduction section is apparent. ||

Organization = REPLACEWITHSCORE / 5 pts.
Strengths and constructive comments about report's organization:
 * 5 - Report includes an Introduction, a Conclusion, and sections for the School, District, and Community. Within each section, paragraphs logically group the information presented. || 4 - Report includes all of the sections mentioned previously, but does not break down information into paragraphs within each section. || 3 - Report is missing one of the sections. || 2 - Report is missing more than one section. || 0 - Report does not include any sections. ||

Mechanics = REPLACEWITHSCORE / 5 pts.

 * 5 - All information in the report is cited using APA styled- citations after the information and in a Reference section at the end of the report.

and

There are extremely few typos and misspelled words in the report. || 4 - Most information is cited using APA style.

and/or

There are a noticeable number of typos or misspellings. || 3 - Some citations in the References section are not in APA style, e.g. URLs are listed without the title of the website.

and/or

There are many typos, misspellings, or other writing errors. || 2 - Most of the report's information is not cited, or APA style was not used. || 0 - Report does not include a Reference section. || Strengths and constructive comments about report's organization:

Conclusion = REPLACEWITHSCORE / 5 pts.
Strengths and constructive comments about conclusion:
 * 5 - Conclusion reviews analysis of school, district and community and describes why findings should be important to reader. || 4 - Conclusion reviews analysis of school, district and community. || 3 - Conclusion does not refer back to report findings. || 0 - No conclusion section is apparent. ||

Creativity = REPLACEWITHSCORE / 5 pts.
Strengths and constructive comments about presentation:
 * 5 - Report is written in an engaging style. || 4 - Report has some interesting sections. || 3 - Report generally reports information without seemingly without purpose. ||

Thoroughness = REPLACEWITHSCORE /10 pts

 * 5 - Report includes at least ten different facts in each section (school, community, district) and

compares each figure with another relevant figure (e.g. state or national average) and

states whether or not the school is meeting NCLB standards. || 4 - Report includes at least eight different facts in each section and

compares most figures with relevant values and

states whether or not the school is meeting NCLB standards. || 3 - Report includes at least six different facts in each section and

compares some of the figures to other relevant figures || 2 - Report includes at least four different facts in each section and

compares some of the figures to other relevant figures. || 0 - Report includes less than four different facts for any section or

fails to compare any figures with other relevant figures. ||