Central+Falls+High+School+Spring+2011

Alejandro Da Silva CENTRAL FALLS HIGH SCHOOL 24 Summer Street Central Falls, RI 02863 (401) 727-7710

**Mission of Central Falls High School**

//**Central Falls High School is a standards-driven teaching and learning community that promotes literacy, effective communication, problem solving, critical thinking, civic responsibility and the skills necessary for living and working in a culturally diverse society.**//

//(http://www.deseretnews.com/photos/midres/3673542.jpg)//

Central Falls High School (CFHS) is an urban Senior High School teaching students from grades nine through twelve Under the supervision of Deputy Superintendent for Transformation Victor Capellan, Superintendent Francis Gallo, Principal Mario Andrade, Co-Principal Sann Sam and Co-Principal Evelyn Cosme-Jones, it is centrally located within the city so that most of the students are able to walk to school. This school has a capacity of 960 students with a current enrollment at just over 1,000 and 93 teachers (CFSchools, 2010).

The mission of Central Falls community is to develop the diverse student population into responsible citizens, effective communicators, critical thinkers and innovative problem solvers who can contribute positively to our society. This report is intended to those children and families who are interested in changing schools and or city/towns they currently reside in and to provide unbiased information about this particular place.

**Community Background**  http://www.centralfallsri.us/
 * Central Falls was first established in 1731 and is located in between the city of Pawtucket as well as the towns of Lincoln and Cumberland.
 * Central Falls holds the record in "Ripley's Believe it Or Not" for being the smallest most densely populated city in the nation with 1.5 square miles and over 18,000 (18,869) residents ("A City With a Bright Future," 2010).
 * Central Falls is 74% Hispanic, 14% African American, and 11% Asian
 * Residing in Central Falls, there are 25.4% families below poverty level and 27.8% individuals below poverty level which is higher than US (13.5%). The median household income in 2009 was $33,520. This number is significantly lower than Rhode Islands median household income of $55,569 and the United States $51,425.
 * The median family income in 2009 was recorded as $37,877 with per capita income of $15,094. Central Falls struggles financially as we compare these numbers with the median income recorded in the United States of $62,363 with a per capita income of $27,041. In comparison to its surrounding towns, Lincoln has a median family income of $61,257 and Pawtucket $39,038 (InfoWorks LIVE!, 2010).
 * According to the 2000 Rhode Island Kids Count the current child population in Central Falls is 5,531 out of Rhode Islands 247,822. In Rhode Island 30% of children come from single-parent families, in Central Falls the number has increased to 48%. Out of the 48% of children who come from single-parent families, 40.9% are living below the federal poverty threshold. In the state there are 7.3% of teens who are not in school and who are not working, in Central Falls this number increases by more than half at 16.5% of teens without school or a job (RI Kids Count, 2010)
 * Central Falls has a significantly low economic well-being. Collected in 2009, Rhode Island had 53,632 children participating in the food stamp program 2,917 children from Central Falls. Children in families residing in Rhode Island receiving cash assistance is a low 4%, 11% of children residing in Central Falls receive cash assistance and 10% of infants born there are at high risk. There are 4,225 children under the age of 19 who receive medical assistance.
 * According to the calculations done in 2009; Rhode Island, at a rate per 1,000 children, 11.7% of which undergo child abuse and neglect. In Central Falls this number increases to 19.3%. Domestic violence is also an issue in the community. The state as a whole, 31% of domestic violence occurs with children present and the numbers increase in the Central Falls community to 44%. The rate of children with incarcerated parents in Rhode Island is 10.2% and the number in Central Falls is 17.9% (InfoWorks LIVE!, 2010).

District Summary Central Falls High School is known as one of the lowest achieving schools in the state. Recently a controversial outbreak occurred regarding education where 74 teachers were fired along with 19 staff members (Kanally, Huffington Post).

Super intendent Francis Gallo decided to fire 74 teachers in her efforts to turn this low end achieving school around. Current teachers have the option to reapply but the state limits that no more than half can be rehired. Superintendent Gallo says "the students weren't getting the teacher support they needed from the school ("Did a Rhode Island Superintendent Step out of Line By Firing All Her Teachers?," 2010).


 * ~ SAT Exams (High School) ||~ This School ||~ Statewide ||~ Nationwide ||~  ||
 * Mathematics Average (out of 800) 2008-09 || 383 || 489 || 510 ||~  ||
 * Reading Average (out of 800) 2008-09 || 385 || 486 || 496 ||~  ||
 * Writing Average (out of 800) 2008-09 || 392 || 482 || 487 ||~  ||
 * Teachers with Emergency Certification 2009-10 || 0% || 1% ||~  ||
 * Not Highly Qualified Teachers 2009-10 || 15% || 3% ||~  ||
 * Teacher-Student Ratio 2009-10 || 1:9 || 1:11 ||
 * Teacher-Student Ratio 2009-10 || 1:9 || 1:11 ||

In the 2008-09 school year Central Falls had a school attendance rate of 86%, Statewide 91%. A four year graduation rate for Central Falls in 2009 was 47.7%, statewide 75.5%. Percent dropped out was 32.7%, statewide 13.9% and after the four year period 12.7% are still in school. Those graduated in five years, 55.9% (InfoWorks LIVE!, 2010).

In the most recent graduating class (The Class of 2010) out of the 156 students; 83 graduates went to colleges in state, 28 out-of-state, 43 chose to work and 2 joined the military (Mooney, 2010)


 * School Summary ﻿ **
 * Central Falls is a small town school struggling to achieve academic success. In the past years students have shown significantly low scores on the SAT exam in all three departments as well as low graduation rates. The school recently hired a new staff of teachers with hopes of raising these numbers and providing a better learning environment for their students. They hope to see change in upcoming years.
 * As far as funding and resources, Central Falls has a property value per student at $194,215.00. This number is significantly lower than its surrounding towns whereas Lincoln has a property value per student at $668,135.53,Pawtucket has a property value per student of $555,126.37 and Providence $382,463.51 (InfoWorks LIVE!, 2010)
 * 18% of students who attend Central Falls receive ESL/Bilingual Education Services and 19% of student receive special education services
 * In 2010, there were NECAP Assessments that showed 11th grade math proficiency in the state was 33% and 8% proficient at Central Falls. Reading proficiency amongst the state in the 11th grade was 73% and 55% at Central Falls. Writing proficiency in 11th graders amongst the state was 55% and 32% at Central Falls. Science proficiency amongst the state was 20% and 4% at Central Falls (InfoWorks LIVE!, 2010).




 * Conclusion **

Central Falls is a small culturally diverse community constantly trying to make positive changes. This community is struggling financially in many departments regarding families and schools. Central Falls is home to the Warriors of Central Falls High School an urban school with a history of low graduation rates and academic achievement. Their town works together to promote responsible citizens, effective communication, critical thinkers who contribute positively to society and to acquire the necessary skills for living and working in a culturally diverse environment.



Central Falls High School. Retrieved March 16, 2011 from RI Kids Count Database http://www.rikidscount.org/matriarch/documents/Central_Falls_2010.pdf ==** // "Did a Rhode Island Superintendent Step out of Line By Firing All Her Teachers? ( // 2010, February 24) Retrieved from http://abcnews.go.com/WN/rhode-island-school-layoffs-world-news-question-day/story?id=9929111 ** ==
 * References **
 * //Central Falls High School.// Retrieved March 16, 2011 from Central Falls, Rhode Island Web Site: http://www.centralfallsri.us/ **
 * Centrall Falls High School. Retrieved March 16, 2011 from InfoWorks! Live Database http://infoworks.ride.ri.gov/school/central-falls-high-school **

Mooney, T. (2010). What it Takes epilogue: Central Falls' tough years ends with smiles, pomp circumstances. Retrieved from http://www.projo.com/ri/centralfalls/content/central_falls_epilogue_06-13-10_Q8IRFNO_v71.176112b.html

** Rubric **
===**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. ||  ||