AMONG THE MANY reasons for establishing Pax Christi Academies in the Diocese of Orange was to help the schools improve test scores among elementary school students.
In the first year of Pax Christi’s new approach, early reports indicate it works quite well.
DEPUTY A. VASQUES ENGAGES STUDENTS WITH A STORY AT LA PURÍSIMA CATHOLIC SCHOOL IN ORANGE. PHOTOS BY ALAN WENDELL/DIOCESE OF ORANGE
“When we tested our students at the beginning of the year, the data showed that our schools had great potential for academic improvement,” said Claudia Garcia, Head of Curriculum and Instructional Leadership for Pax Christi Academies. “We based that interpretation on comparing two standardized assessments: The STAR Benchmark and the iReady Diagnostic. In some instances, we found significant gaps of two to three grade levels.”
This baseline data projected that all Pax Christi schools—La Purisima, St. Anne (Santa Ana), St. Barbara, St. Joseph (Santa Ana) and St. Justin Martyr—could make substantial growth in reading. Most of the schools had well below 50% of students at or above grade level. Math scores were generally lower, with only two schools testing at grade level and the other three testing much lower.
The aim was to bring all students up to grade level, and Pax Christi reached that impressive goal for an additional 130 students within the first five months of introducing and training the teachers in its first year of implementation. Collectively, Pax Christi Academies increased the number of students at or above grade level by 15% in reading and by 14% in math. In other words, students performing below grade level showed at least one grade level improvement, and the school year was only half over.
How they achieved that goal is a lesson in how customized teaching works for each student if they have the right tech and well-trained teachers.
CLAUDIA GARCIA, HEAD OF CURRICULUM AND INSTRUCTIONAL LEADERSHIP, AND CHRISTINA ARELLANO, PRESIDENT OF PAX CHRISTI ACADEMIES (RIGHT), POSE FOR A PHOTO AT LA PURÍSIMA CATHOLIC SCHOOL.
Pax Christi Academies, under the leadership of its president Christina Arellano, Ed.D, brought the Curriculum Associates i-Ready Personalized Learning program to all five schools when she took the helm last July. The i-Ready Personalized Instruction leverages insights from the i-Ready Diagnostic to design a tailored learning path featuring engaging online lessons.
This approach ensures that students receive targeted instruction and practice in areas where they require the most support. In addition, teachers are trained and supported to make the classroom experience interactive and personal for each student using an instructional model known as Station Rotation
“Understanding that you will have students with varying abilities in any classroom, students are placed in groups based on the objective of the lesson,” said Garcia.
On a typical day, the teacher may give a 15-minute group lesson at the beginning of class, assessing the level of comprehension of each student. The students then break into smaller learning groups, allowing for cooperative learning, independent stations and one-on-one interaction at the teacher-led center.
“The goal is that every student will achieve success each day,” Garcia said.
The program is so individualized that many students with learning disabilities who couldn’t be accommodated in Catholic schools elsewhere are now able to thrive, said Garcia. Students are not permanently assigned to groups either. For example, students who excel in math may be assigned to an advanced math group, but if they struggle with reading, they could be in a group that needs more support. Group assignments can change throughout the year as the child becomes more proficient. Children at the highest achievement level are offered more challenging instruction.
Pax Christi partners with the University of Arizona, enabling advanced students to take advanced math and early high school courses.
“The idea is to meet the students where they are and provide for their instructional needs at any level,” Garcia said.
The teachers are also trained in the program and have real-time access to answer questions that may come up. Additionally, teachers meet monthly with the Inclusion Solutions team for training, coaching and customized support. Inclusion Solutions is a partner organization that supports teachers and school leaders in helping all learners become successful, including students with learning disabilities.
According to Garcia, “Pax Christi is blessed that our schools have embraced our new approaches to teaching and learning, and our students’ successes is proof that it’s working.”
The students will be tested again just before school gets out, and all bets are on for even more dramatic improvement.