WASC FOCUS ON LEARNING VISITING COMMITTEE REPORT
SAN MATEO ADULT AND COMMUNITY EDUCATION

SCHOOlWIDE AREAS OF STRENGTH & CRITICAL AREAS FOR FOllOW-UP

Schoolwide Areas of Strength:

1. Dedicated and caring school administrators, teachers, and support staff, who are
committed to working together as a "family," and exemplify the school's mission of "student-centered education."

2. Leadership, which has created a culture of openness, trust, and communication among staff, students, community partners, and District administration.

3. Sound fiscal management that has allowed San Mateo Adult School new and upgraded facilities as well as an increase in the number of off-site classrooms to meet the educational needs of the community it serves.

4. Development of extensive partnerships and collaborations in the community, which leverage resources to benefit and support students.

5. Development of strong District support, which enhances the School's ability to fulfill its Mission and ESLRs.

6. Development of a broad spectrum of course offerings to meet the unique needs in the Older Adult and Adults With Disabilities populations; an outstanding ESL Program. .

7. Active Day and Night Student Council, which provides two way communication and dissemination of information between students and administration.

8. An outstanding Community Advisory Committee that connects the School to local community opportunities and resources, such as classroom facilities, career guidance, and employment.

9. Development and delivery of innovative and creative student-centered curricula.

10. School climate, which fosters personal and professional growth for staff and students, and focuses all stakeholders on student needs.

Schoolwide Critical Areas for Follow-up:

The Visiting Committee agrees with the major growth areas identified by the School. The subsequent list of critical areas for follow-up is a synthesis of (1) growth areas addressed by the School in the Action Plan, (2) suggestions to strengthen these areas already identified in the Action Plan sections, and (3) additional areas identified by the Visiting Committee.

1. Develop evidence of ESLR integration into the learning experience and assess student progress toward the ESLRs in all programs.

2. Administration and Adult Teachers Union collaborate to ensure that teachers receive periodic formal feedback.

3. Develop and implement a department-specific Professional Development plan.

4. Expand and improve communication patterns to students, staff, teachers and administrators through a variety of approaches.

5. Develop and execute projects to improve outreach and expansion to various demographic groups.

6. It will be imperative that the Action Plan committees use all means of communication to ensure implementation of the Action Plan, with ongoing documentation and regular feedback to and from staff, students, and community.