Howard J. McKibben Elementary has been recognized as one of the Top Los Angeles Public Schools for Underserved Students for successfully closing the achievement gap for low-income Latino students.
McKibben is one of the top 278 schools out of a total of 2,075 schools in the county. McKibben is being recognized by Innovate Public Schools in collaboration with the University of Southern California Sol Price Center for Social Innovation and Rossier School of Education Center for Education Policy, Equity and Governance.
Being a top school means that you are beating the state-wide average in one or more factors including math and reading scores, college eligibility, and suspension rates. Innovate Public Schools use “the statewide enrollment averages as minimum baselines, meaning that schools must have at least 43% low-income Latino or 4% low-income African American students enrolled in order to be considered.”
“Our staff has worked together to create and refine a safe and rigorous environment that provides exceptional instruction to all students,” Jan Tyrone, McKibben Elementary’s principal, shared.
“As a staff and also as grade level teams, we analyzed data from ELPAC, CAASPP, and Star 360 and identified the needs of each student in order to provide them with the instruction they need. Also from that data, student groupings were created in order to create small groups that focus on specific learning targets. Together, we implemented a school-wide agreed upon time block in which specific, standards driven ELD Instruction is delivered and focused on the areas that the data dictated the greatest need. Teachers took an already small group of English Learners and broke them down even further in order to focus on those specific learning targets.”
The Innovate Public Schools report shares that Low-income African American and Latino students combined actually make up the majority of students in Los Angeles County. However, even though they make up the majority only 23% of schools eligible for their list are actually closing the opportunity gap. Their website shares, “we must all hold ourselves accountable to ensuring that all low-income students of color have access to a world-class education.”
“I am thrilled that this honor has been bestowed on our staff and students.,” Tyrone shared. “In order to provide our students with an effective learning environment, it takes all staff working together. From the front office, to the classroom, the entire McKibben staff has worked to provide students with what they need and it is wonderful that they are being recognized for their efforts.”
Congratulations Howard J. McKibben Elementary! South Whittier School District is so proud of you!