Reading Reflection #9

Prompt
Locate and read information about your school site. Begin your ethnographic research on your school site to complete your ethnography for EDSS 530 and to complete Task 3 for the ITU.

Ethnographic Research for Valley High School

The information covered in this reading response comes primarily from Valley High School’s website, www.vhsescondido.com. This information was gathered to begin my ethnographic research of the school in order to complete Task 3 of my groups ITU. 

1. Community
1. Geographic Location
1. Valley High School is located in Escondido, California. Escondido provides a thriving urban environment in the midst of rolling hills surrounded by avocado and citrus groves. Escondido is located approximately 30 miles northeast of San Diego and 18 miles from the coast. Escondido’s population is over 133,000 residents.
2. Where students live in relation to campus
1. To be acquired through student case studies and surveys to classes 
   
3. Political Climate of Community
1. To be acquired through student case studies and surveys to classes
2. School 
1. School Mission & Teaching Philosophy 
1. According to the school’s website Valley High School’s mission statement is, “Learning for All, Whatever it Takes.”
2. In addition Valley High School staff believe that all students will learn because of what they do on a daily basis. Their program emphasizes personal responsibility and accountability, pro-social skill development and a strong, standards-based curriculum with integrated technology. They view their diverse community as a resource and their staff members serve as coaches helping students achieve their goals.
2. School Personnel Information 
1. According to Valley High School’s S.A.R.C. report published in January 2011 there are 20 fully credentialed staff members (out of 20 applicable staff). No teachers are misassigned and the school does not have any vacant teacher positions. Valley maintains a full-time academic counselor and several “As Needed” positions.
3. Reputation of School 
1. Attendance – 89.1% (09-10) 
2. Graduation Rate – 77.8 (08-09)
3. API Change from 08-09 to 09-10 – 49 
4. Program Improvement – Not in P.I
5. Percent of Students achieving proficient or above on CST (2010) – English (5%), Mathematics (1%), Science (4%), Social Studies (3%) 
6. CAHSEE – Unavailable for this school due to moderate number of students tested. 
7. Percentage of students who completed High School Graduation Requirements – 43.4% (District – 80.8%)
4. Campus Architecture 
1. To be acquired through photographs taken by ITU team. 
   
5. Participation of Community in School Activities 
1. To be acquired through discussion with staff and faculty.
3. Student Population Information
1. Numbers of Students Served at School
1. Total Number of Students Enrolled - 450 
   
2. Demographic Information
1. According to Valley High School’s S.A.R.C. report, published January 2011 student enrollment by ethnic group is:
1. African American 3.8%
2. American Indian 1.4%
3. Asian 1.6%
4. Caucasian 11.1%
5. Hispanic or Latino 81.4%
3.  Information about 5 Individual Students who Need Differentiation
1. To be acquired through student case studies