What's Happening with Collaboration?

Recent Activity

Collaboration Showcase Event Highlights Shared Initiatives
Among Several Area Districts

Speaking to school board members at the PPPE Collaboration Showcase on shared administrative development initiatives are (from left) Clarence Superintendent Dr. Thomas Coseo, Sweet Home Superintendent Geoff Hicks and Williamsville Superintendent Dr. Howard Smith.

 

The Lake Shore Central School District showcased its efforts to bring together parents and community resources in substance abuse prevention efforts. This collaboration is with WNY United Against Drug and Alcohol Abuse, Erie County Council for the Prevention of Alcohol and Substance Abuse, Town of Evans Police Department, and Citizens for Responsible Choices (CRC).

 

Click here to see current collaboration activities reported by ECASB member districts.
Click here to see district responses to the '05-06 survey on what collaboration initiatives are occurring in area school districts.

Promoting Partnerships in Public Education, Inc.

Our Mission is to serve as a catalyst to identify, encourage and promulgate collaborative efforts that can advance efficiencies, equity and effectiveness in school districts throughout our region.

We believe … that quality education is not just test scores and rankings, but a thoughtful integration of academics, socio-cultural and community concerns.

We believe … that this integrative effort is best achieved in partnership with the schools and other educational and community resources.

We believe … that this partnership of collective care, attention and resources creates improved student learning and healthier communities in which our students live and learn.

Want to Share?

To share news or inquiries about collaboration activities, please send to Shirley Nowak for posting on our Web site.

UPDATE for Districts Interested in Value Added Assessment ...

The curriculum staff from the four BOCES in the JMT (Erie 1, Erie 2, Catt Allegany and Niagara Orleans), and the Western New York Regional Information Center, have undertaken a collaborative planning process for a joint regional approach to Value Added Assessment. For more information, please contact your local BOCES curriculum/staff development office or the WNYRIC.

 

Six districts share EPA grant to reduce bus pollution
Six area school districts will share $298,960 in federal funds to install pollution-reduction equipment on 128 buses.
The Environmental Protection Agency has awarded $298,960 to Erie County’s Department of Environment and Planning to add the equipment to 128 school buses.

The grant, from the EPA’s Clean School Bus USA program, will help reduce diesel pollution by retrofitting buses from the Akron, Grand Island, Iroquois, Ken-Ton, Lancaster and Sweet Home school districts.

Also collaborating in the effort are the New York Association of Pupil Transportation and the county Health Department.

In addition to provding the pollution-reducing technology, the grant covers data collection on emissions before and after the installations, and will provide help to all Erie County schools seeking other sources of funding for such equipment. A final report will be produced to help other school-communities learn more about the technology and how to bring it to their districts.

News & Updates

 

Collaboration Includes Schools, Law and Other Community Agencies

What would bring students, staff (from both public and non-public schools) law enforcement, Catholic Charities, Child and Family Services, senior services, youth services, ACT for Youth and Boy Scouts all together in one room?

Five school districts covering various sections of Cheektowaga (Cheektowaga, Cheektowaga-Sloan, Maryvale, Cleve Hill and Depew), plus those other community partners, met to brainstorm ways to improve support and engagement of the community’s youth in a half-day workshop held at JFK High School.

The catalyst for that effort occurred when it was discovered that only 17.9 of the 40 Assets identified as important family/school/community supports for youth were recognized as being in place for youth in the Cheektowaga community. In response, the Cheektowaga Alliance for Healthy Communities/Healthy Youth organized a dedicated effort to address the issue.

“We try to bring as many people together as we can,” says Jillian Gorman, Program Coordinator for the Town’s Youth and Recreational Services Department. She serves as the liaison to this many-faceted effort to address how to fill that gap in assets. “It is vital to get everyone to work together and communicate.”

What they had realized, she said, was that despite the best efforts of the town, schools and other community agencies, what they thought was important for youth was not necessarily aligned with what youth thought they needed or wanted.

As a result, several measures have been taken to rectify this discrepancy, including the development of a Supervisor’s Youth Council and other Youth Forums. And the conversing, and collaborating, continues. For more information, contact Jillian Gorman, 897-7207 ext. 19.

PPPE Names Officers

Tom Kulaszewski, Cleveland Hill, has been elected President of Promoting Partnerships in Public Education, Inc., with Jack Semler (Clarence) named Vice President. Jane Burzynski continues as Secretary-Treasurer. The annual election of members PPPE Board of Directors also included: Alison Hyde, School Board Member (Hopevale); Richard D’Arcy, Representative; Florence Johnson, Urban School Board Member; Max Donatelli, Community Agency Rep. (Parent Network); Delia Bonenberger, School Superintendent (Cheek/Erie 1); James Bodziak, School Superintendent (East Aurora/Erie 2); Margy Jones-Carey, BOCES Staff Representative; Kate Riedel, Rural School Board Member; Susan Mendel-Hausman, Ret. School Admin.; David Smaczniak, West Seneca Board of Ed.; Lorie Sabo, Erie 2 CC BOCES Board of Ed.; David Ehrle, Lancaster Board of Ed.; Ann Ryan, Community Agency Rep. (United Way).

How Does Your Collaboration Grow?

Very nicely, according to 23 school districts in the Erie County Association of School Boards’ membership region who responded to a survey on the state of collaboration in their districts. The survey was a follow up to ECASB’s work with Cornell University to identify areas of collaboration that could improve excellence and equity in area schools. The survey listed the key areas in the Core Recommendations from the New Alliance for Regional Excellence report, and asked districts about their efforts in these areas during the 05-06 school year. Their responses show that collaboration comes in many shapes and forms: sometimes through BOCES or other organizations, or through initiatives spearheaded among the districts themselves. This is the compilation of survey responses. In the weeks ahead, we will feature a series of ongoing profiles on the State of Collaboration, drawn from information reported in the surveys.

 

How Does Your Collaboration Grow: ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE

... Core Recommendation #1a: Development of Principals' Leadership Skills

The Cornell Study’s Core Recommendations for building the foundation for collaboration said one sure-fire way to improve and sustain academic excellence would be to participate in, host or sponsor forums to develop leadership skills of building principals. Why is that important? Because, says the study’s report, “A basic premise of education reform is that leadership at the building level is critical to student achievement.” Several districts are pursuing just that goal. It’s particularly timely now, as more than half of Erie County’s principals will reach retirement age in the next few years.

Many districts, including Amherst, Hopevale, Iroquois, Lancaster, Orchard Park, and Ken-Ton, engage in this process through the Western New York Educational Service Council. Several districts, including Lancaster, Maryvale, and Ken-Ton, also report extensive in-house efforts. Iroquois said it also participates in Niagara Orleans professional development opportunities, while North Collins cited CIDEL’s Beaver Hollow Call to Leadership initiative. Holland, Iroquois and Ken-Ton also cited offerings through the University at Buffalo, the Frontier Schools’ mentioned national and regional conferences, while West Seneca Schools mentioned its New Administrators’ Academy and Cheektowaga mentioned the Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) program.

Williamsville Schools’ Superintendent Howard S. Smith, Ed.D., highlights a recent educational leadership initiative developed among himself and fellow superintendents in the Sweet Home, Clarence and Ken-Ton districts.

The collaboration was discussed some years ago with Clarence and three other Boards of Education. Dr. Thomas Coseo, Clarence Superintendent, and Dr. Smith worked on the idea and were able to encourage the other two districts to join in.
Together, they developed a summer administrative retreat to build administrators’ knowledge and skills for instructional improvement and student achievement. The districts worked throughout the year with consultants from the Center for Performance Assessment, an organization that works with districts on the design and implementation of rigorous assessments and classroom activities, to plan the two-day administrative leadership retreat. Participating administrators then returned to their building or area of responsibility with “initial strategies to add to their repertoire to support teachers in their efforts, all directed at the improvement of student learning,” said Mr. Smith. “It is our hope to not only broaden understandings for our administrative staff, but also to expand our professional learning communities within the region.”

All that dovetails with the study’s intended impact for such initiatives: increase the skills and knowledge of building administrators, reduce the transaction costs for teacher contemplating moving into administration, and build and support a culture of academic excellence among building level administrators.

Dr. Smith adds that many of the district’s collaborative activities are “the result of initiatives through Erie 1 BOCES and/or the Western New York Educational Service Council. Because of the size of Williamsville and our full cooperation with Erie 1 BOCES, collaborative efforts are ongoing.”

... Core Recommendation #1b: Strengthen Relationships Between Teacher Centers and School Boards
Under the category of Academic Excellence, the Cornell study recommended that districts “strengthen relationships between Teacher Centers and School Boards and network communication among these and BOCES to enhance staff development opportunities.” So, who’s doing what in this arena?
Fourteen school districts responded with varying ways in which they stay connected and involved with Teacher Centers – and keep awareness of Teacher Center resources high among their staff.
Cheektowaga reports, “many opportunities to share information and experiences across these partners, usually through IDAB (the Instructional Development Advisory Board) and Teacher Center Advisory Board meetings, as well as (our own) Town Alliance meetings.” Maryvale points out district-side staff development “taking place with BOCES, infusing literacy in the classroom K-12.”
At Hopevale, the principal has served on the Policy Board for the Southtowns Teacher Center for 19 years. Alden reports hosting a Teacher Center “which works very closely with the entire school community.” Williamsville reports that their Teacher Center director meets regularly with other Teacher Center directors and that two three-day seminars were sponsored on program evaluation.
Clarence formed a collaborative Teacher Center with Erie 1 BOCES and Depew, and Orchard Park is working with BOCES 1 and Niagara Orleans BOCES on many joint ventures.

... Core Recommendation #1c: Adopt the Correlates of Effective Schools
Under the category of Academic Excellence, the Cornell study encouraged adoption of the Correlates of Effective Schools and self-assessment by boards of education. The seven correlates are seen as steps to achieve high and equitable levels of student learning. They hold that all children, regardless of gender, race, or socio-economic level, will learn essential knowledge, concepts and skills to be successful from year to year in school.
The correlates call for:
1. Clear School Mission
2. High Expectations for Success
3. Instructional Leadership
4. Frequent Monitoring of Student Progress
5. Opportunity to Learn and Student Time on Task
6. Safe and Orderly Environment
7. Home-School Relations
The PPPE survey asked school districts whether their boards were conducting study in this area. West Seneca noted that its Board of Education reflects on those issues, Frontier noted that it is committed to curriculum-driven instruction and meeting the needs of all children. Lancaster is engaged in its CDEP update. The Clarence Board of Education conducts self-assessment and use of the effective schools survey, Orchard Park also conducts a self-assessment and uses it in planning and goal-setting each year. Alden’s Board has specific and ongoing goals and the Iroquois Board conducts an annual self assessment.
... Core Recommendation #1d: Share Expertise Across Districts
The study also recommended development of a mechanism, inclusive of, but not restricted to, BOCES to share expertise across districts.
Nearly 20 districts gave examples in this category, many citing regularly shared experiences through IDAB, the Instructional Development Advisory Board. IDAB brings together curriculum coordinators from several school districts and counties.
Allegany-Limestone reports that it has “taken leadership in planning various joint staff development days. In year 04-05, it involved six districts covering one thousand teachers. On two other occasions, three other districts were involved in staff development days.”
Cheektowaga noted that it sponsored speakers and activities on English as a Second Language (ELS), and opened the door to other districts to attend. Lancaster and Sweet Home collaborated on mentor training and discussions are ongoing about inviting other districts to participate in in-district professional development programs.

On a related note, Southtowns school superintendents (Hamburg, Hopevale, Frontier) meet regularly in a collaborative spirit. East Aurora and Iroquois worked collaboratively outside of BOCES to score the Gr. 3, 5 and 7 ELA and math assessments. Holland reports collaboration with Springville to correct NYS assessments. Orchard Park, Sweet Home and Lancaster school board members met to discuss ways to collaborate. Sweet Home noted the first administrative retreat involving multiple neighboring districts and administrators. Maryvale reports working with UB and Buffalo State College, and frequent collaboration with other districts. West Seneca notes the ALC and tech paths programs both having academy programs.

A principal from Lancaster notes the Erie County Principals Association meetings and its listserv to gather and share information.

In all, regular shared meetings, retreats, and initiatives, whether offered by the districts themselves, teacher centers, BOCES or the WNY Educational Service Council, showed strong participation and support among area school districts.

... Core Recommendation #1e: Explore the Value of Smaller Schools for Improved Learning

The study said to be mindful of exploring the value of smaller schools for improved learning. Economies of scale and program comprehensiveness have led to a national trend toward larger schools for several years. Yet, from the standpoint of safety and academics, research and experience keep coming to the same conclusion: smaller is better. The smaller environment is simpler and more focused, and allows for more personal contact and latitude to adjust programs and practices to enhance learning.

It’s a topic that has been investigated in Cheektowaga, while in other districts, it’s an attribute that comes naturally: “We are a small district,” points out Akron.

Iroquois notes, “Our schools are already configured as small as possible. Our elementary schools are K-3, ranging from 230-285 students in each.”

Large schools also adjust to work like small schools. West Seneca has Academy programs in both high schools, which cluster similarly inclined students within core areas of focus, such as technology, or education, or business. The use of co-principals and the “house” system (smaller “schools within a school”) also help create a small school environment within a large campus. Orchard Park, faced with burgeoning enrollment at some of its schools, researched and presented its findings to its district’s Capacity Task Force. Orchard Park for many years has used the “house” system at the high school and “teams” at the middle school, to create smaller, cohesive groups of students within large buildings. Kenmore West is facilitating the Small School Initiative on school redesign Sweet Home uses small group units within buildings.

Clarence has extensively researched the house concept for implementation at its Middle School in ’07-08. Amherst is working on the issue with Dr. Mary Gresham in the graduate school of education at Buffalo State College.

... Core Recommendation #1f: Expand AP or International Baccalaueate Opportunities
Expansion of Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate opportunities has had a modest amount of activity among area school districts. Maryvale is researching AP Art; SLC brought back some AP courses. Springville Griffith’s High School reports increasing opportunities, and Holland had added a college level EMT course and Spanish course. Williamsville says yes to AP on an ongoing basis, Ken-Ton is adding English Language and Composition.
Clarence notes that it offers 19 AP courses, after adding one more last year.

Orchard Park notes, “We continue to address rigor in all curricular areas and encourage students to accelerate.”

Alden collaborates with Erie Community College, Genesee Community College and the University of Rochester for many AP classes. Amherst added statistics; North Collins hired an additional social studies teacher to add an AP history course. Iroquois notes, “We offer 27 AP courses and have articulation agreements with Medaille and Houghton colleges.”

... Core Recommendation #1g: Improve Access to Technology
There were multiple responses from 19 school districts regarding improved access to technology for instructional purposes.

Frontier updated technology in its buildings, with software and hardware including Successmaker, DABELS, Smart Boards, and is researching an ID project, wireless labs and com labs, and increasing its library database. Hamburg updated computer labs and individual classrooms, Maryvale provided professional development in instructional technology.

Ongoing upgrades continue in programs and in-services at Lancaster, Maryvale, Holland, West Seneca, Ken-Ton, Clarence, Iroquois, Hopevale and Williamsville.

North Collins added broadband, new servers, new computers and training across the board, while Orchard Park dedicated $100,000 to Power School and curricular mapping. Alden provided updates for technology graphics and wireless installation of laptop carts. Amherst has been involved in NY Learns. Sweet Home teachers have been immersed in laptop technology. Lancaster has integrated Smart Boards and Classroom Performance (clicker) systems.

Iroquois says, “We are continually exploring innovative technology for improving instruction. We’re involved in Common Set of Learning Objectives coser through BOCES and had some high school teachers attend ‘High School’s New Face,’ where they learned about blogging and wiki’s. We have sent a few teachers to workshops on podcasting.”


Regional Collaboration


Results of Cornell study released! Review the complete report here.

Updated April 8, 2005

Cornell University ILR has completed its year-long study of K-12 public education in Erie County. The results were released to ECASB members on April 7, 2005. This report and its recommendations represent an exciting opportunity to strengthen Erie County public schools and what they do for children.

Faced with diminishing resources, a declining tax base, and the loss of employment, our community must find creative ways to deliver quality education to all our children. The Erie County Association of School Boards Project on Regional Collaboration and Shared Services represents an effort to explore alternative solutions to this problem through school districts working together for a stronger Western New York.

An analysis of K-12 public education will discover more efficient, effective & equitable ways to provide education services. The analysis and its recommended actions will build upon the leadership that Erie County public school districts and their boards of education have taken in regional collaboration.

Regional collaboration has been, and continues to be, a focus for ECASB in concert with the mission of the association to provide "leadership and support which promote the effective management and delivery of services to our public school students ."

The analysis, conducted by a team from Cornell University, School of Industrial & Labor Relations, is made possible through the partnership and generous financial support of the John R. Oishei and Margaret L. Wendt Foundations, along with the County of Erie and other contributors.

 

This page was established with the assistance of a grant from Erie County.


The Goal of the Study

Overarching goal: Give every child in the region equal opportunity to meet New York State's new performance standards and help each child reach his/her learning potential.

Three immediate goals: Improve the efficiency, effectiveness and equity of public education in Erie County.

 

State of Collaboration Survey: Profile on 'Academic Excellence' ...

In the category of Academic Excellence, the Cornell study recommended that districts “strengthen relationships between Teacher Centers and School Boards and network communication among these and BOCES to enhance staff development opportunities.” So, what's taking place in that arena today?
Fourteen school districts responded with varying ways in which they stay connected and involved with Teacher Centers – and keep awareness of Teacher Center resources high among their staff.

Cheektowaga reports, “many opportunities to share information and experiences across these partners, usually through IDAB (the Instructional Development Advisory Board) and Teacher Center Advisory Board meetings, as well as (our own) Town Alliance meetings.” Maryvale reports districtwide staff development “taking place with BOCES, infusing literacy in the classroom K-12.”
At Hopevale, the principal has served on the Southtowns Teacher Center Policy Board for 19 years. Alden reports hosting a Teacher Center “which works very closely with the entire school community.” Williamsville reports that their Teacher Center director meets regularly with other Teacher Center directors and that two three-day seminars were sponsored on program evaluation.
Clarence formed a collaborative Teacher Center with Erie 1 BOCES and Depew, and Orchard Park is working with BOCES 1 and Niagara Orleans BOCES on many joint ventures.

For additional information on these collaborations, please contact the Superintendent's Office of the designated school district(s).

 

 

Status of the Study

Updated April 8, 2005

An Executive Summary

 

Promoting Partnerships in Public Education, Inc.

In 2003, ECASB formed a new corporation to further the charitable purposes launched through the efforts of ECASB's Task Force on Regional Collaboration and Shared Services. The corporation received IRS Determination as a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization. As the sole member of Promoting Partnerships in Public Education, Inc., ECASB will closely monitor its actions.

Frequently asked Questions about Promoting Partnerships in Public Education, Inc.

Approved minutes - December 9, 2004 Annual Member Meeting

Task Force Leadership Task Force – Phase II

(Updated February 7, 2005)

The work of the Task Force is led by a Steering Committee that recommends action to the ECASB Executive Board. The Steering Committee was developed to represent various stakeholders in the education of the region’s children.

Steering Committee Members: