Documents •
WASC Report 2020
← Chapter 4: Self-Study Analysis - Category A1
(Chapter IV: Self-Study Findings)
CATEGORY A: ORGANIZATION FOR STUDENT LEARNING
Beliefs and Philosophy
A1.1. Indicator: The written mission and vision (purpose) reflects the beliefs and Philosophy of school and its constituency.
A1.1. Prompt: Evaluate the written purpose in relationship to the beliefs and Philosophy of the school and its constituency served.
FINDINGS
The Mission Statement and the Philosophy for Maris Stella School reflect clearly the objectives and the beliefs that are the essential elements of Catholic education.The Catholic Mission Schools Board of Members reviewed, revised the organizational structure, established a clear vision and mission of the institution.
The goals and policies of the Catholic Mission Schools were written after discussion between administration, faculty and parents of the students.
The Catholic Mission School's Statement was first written in English and translated into Palauan in 2018. The School Handbook was developed and revised over the years. As situations change and learning from experience, the handbook is subject for continued review, evaluation and revision.
The Mission Statement has two dynamics: the first portion is " to nurture the development of our students spiritually, intellectually, morally, and physically – in a Palauan cultural context; the last portion is the school vision "so they may better live out their Catholic faith and answer the Christian call to service".
The Mission Statement and the Philosophy for Maris Stella School reflect clearly the objectives and the beliefs that are the essential elements of Catholic education.The Catholic Mission Schools Board of Members reviewed, revised the organizational structure, established a clear vision and mission of the institution.
The goals and policies of the Catholic Mission Schools were written after discussion between administration, faculty and parents of the students.
The Catholic Mission School's Statement was first written in English and translated into Palauan in 2018. The School Handbook was developed and revised over the years. As situations change and learning from experience, the handbook is subject for continued review, evaluation and revision.
The Mission Statement has two dynamics: the first portion is " to nurture the development of our students spiritually, intellectually, morally, and physically – in a Palauan cultural context; the last portion is the school vision "so they may better live out their Catholic faith and answer the Christian call to service".
EVIDENCE
• School Handbook
• School's Yearly Calendar
• Mission Statement Philosophy
• School Handbook
• School's Yearly Calendar
• Mission Statement Philosophy
Achievements:
- Development of a Philosophy of Catholic Mission Schools that clearly articulates Catholic values
- Development of a Mission Statement for Catholic Mission Schools, which clearly and succinctly states the core values of Catholic education, and from which all decisions are made regarding Maris Stella School and Catholic Mission Schools
- Development of Maris Stella ESLRs which flow from the Mission Statement
- Faculty, staff and administration are consistent and pro-active in promoting the Mission as the guiding principle for the school
- The ESLRs have become the fabric of the school, guiding all stakeholders as a means of assessing the school program
Areas for Improvement:
- There needs to be more stakeholders’ input. Parents and guardians, many of whom send their children to Maris Stella School because it is Catholic, are reluctant to think they may have something to say or add to what is already stated.
Purpose, School wide Learner Outcomes, and Profile Data
A1.2 Indicator: The student/community profile data has impacted the development of the students’ vision and mission and schoolwide learner outcomes.
A1.2 Prompt: Evaluate the degree to which the development of the school 's vision, mission, and schoolwide learner outcomes have been impacted by pertinent student/community profile data.
FINDINGS
The school wide student goals and outcomes state that the school provides programs and services aligned with the mission to enrich the academic program and support the development of student life. The mission also provides opportunities outside the classroom for students to learn about and experience nature and its importance.
Maris Stella School has a governing body which recognizes and respects the roles of the appropriate and legitimate authorities, and exercises responsible decision making (consultative, advisory) in collaboration with leadership team for development and oversight of the school’s fidelity to mission academic excellence, and operational vitality. The school also has qualified leader/leadership team empowered by the governing body to realize and implement the school’s mission and vision.
The school wide student goals and outcomes state that the school provides programs and services aligned with the mission to enrich the academic program and support the development of student life. The mission also provides opportunities outside the classroom for students to learn about and experience nature and its importance.
Maris Stella School has a governing body which recognizes and respects the roles of the appropriate and legitimate authorities, and exercises responsible decision making (consultative, advisory) in collaboration with leadership team for development and oversight of the school’s fidelity to mission academic excellence, and operational vitality. The school also has qualified leader/leadership team empowered by the governing body to realize and implement the school’s mission and vision.
EVIDENCE
• Maris Stella School Handbook
• Yearly Programs and activities
• Tests results
• Field Trips
• Subject Areas Assessments
• SA T10 and IOW A Assessments
• School Handbook
• Teachers profile data
• Maris Stella School Handbook
• Yearly Programs and activities
• Tests results
• Field Trips
• Subject Areas Assessments
• SA T10 and IOW A Assessments
• School Handbook
• Teachers profile data
Achievements:
- The revised MSS handbook states a clear structure to the governing board and duties and responsibilities are clearly laid out.
- The Board of Directors understand its fiduciary responsibilities for the school.
- There is a good working relationship between the board and the administration of Maris Stella School,
- There is good communication between the administration and the PTA of Maris Stella School.
- The communication process between the board and other stakeholders has improved.
Areas for Improvement:
- Stakeholders need to better understand the role of CMS Board of Members.
Involvement of All
A1.3. Indicator: The school has a process for involving representatives of the entire school community in the development/refinement of the mission, vision and schoolwide learner outcomes.
A1.3. Prompt: Evaluate the process 1) to ensure the involvement of representatives from the entire school community in the development/refinement of the vision, mission and schoolwide learner outcomes and 2) to determine their effectiveness.
FINDINGS
Parents Workshop for Math to help their children at home. MOE Workshop Programs for parents/guardians provide opportunities for parents /guardians to partner with the school to enhance the educational experiences for the school community. The school leadership team establishes and supports networks of collaboration at all levels within the school community to advance excellence.
The Principal is responsible for the development and oversight of personnel, including recruitment, professional growth, and formal assessment of faculty and staff.
The school sends information or communicates with parents, community, government agencies by means of radio, letters, memorandum, telephone, Facebook and school website. Individual teachers use various ways to communicate with parents
Parents Workshop for Math to help their children at home. MOE Workshop Programs for parents/guardians provide opportunities for parents /guardians to partner with the school to enhance the educational experiences for the school community.
The school leadership team establishes and supports networks of collaboration at all levels within the school community to advance excellence.
The Principal is responsible for the development and oversight of personnel, including recruitment, professional growth, and formal assessment of faculty and staff.
The school sends information or communicates with parents, community, government agencies by means of radio, letters, memorandum, telephone, Facebook and school website. Individual teachers use various ways to communicate with parents
Parents Workshop for Math to help their children at home. MOE Workshop Programs for parents/guardians provide opportunities for parents /guardians to partner with the school to enhance the educational experiences for the school community. The school leadership team establishes and supports networks of collaboration at all levels within the school community to advance excellence.
The Principal is responsible for the development and oversight of personnel, including recruitment, professional growth, and formal assessment of faculty and staff.
The school sends information or communicates with parents, community, government agencies by means of radio, letters, memorandum, telephone, Facebook and school website. Individual teachers use various ways to communicate with parents
Parents Workshop for Math to help their children at home. MOE Workshop Programs for parents/guardians provide opportunities for parents /guardians to partner with the school to enhance the educational experiences for the school community.
The school leadership team establishes and supports networks of collaboration at all levels within the school community to advance excellence.
The Principal is responsible for the development and oversight of personnel, including recruitment, professional growth, and formal assessment of faculty and staff.
The school sends information or communicates with parents, community, government agencies by means of radio, letters, memorandum, telephone, Facebook and school website. Individual teachers use various ways to communicate with parents
EVIDENCE
• Parents Signup Sheet
• Performance information and data
• Staff/faculty meetings, board meetings, workshops, PTA meeting
• Stakeholders’ participation and support
• PEC
• Parents contact numbers and addresses
• Math Workshop by MOE
• https://marisstellapalau.org
• Parents Signup Sheet
• Performance information and data
• Staff/faculty meetings, board meetings, workshops, PTA meeting
• Stakeholders’ participation and support
• PEC
• Parents contact numbers and addresses
• Math Workshop by MOE
• https://marisstellapalau.org
• Parents Signup Sheet
• Performance information and data
• Staff/faculty meetings, board meetings, workshops, PTA meeting
• Stakeholders’ participation and support
• PEC
• Parents contact numbers and addresses
• Math Workshop by MOE
• https://marisstellapalau.org
• Parents Signup Sheet
• Performance information and data
• Staff/faculty meetings, board meetings, workshops, PTA meeting
• Stakeholders’ participation and support
• PEC
• Parents contact numbers and addresses
• Math Workshop by MOE
• https://marisstellapalau.org
Achievements:
- The MSS leadership has a wide variety of experience
- The MSS leadership work and support the promotion of the Mission and ESLRs.
- The MSS school leadership works hard at creating an “open-door” policy with faculty and staff members
- MSS leadership capitalizes in individuals’ skills
- The MSS Handbook clearly lays out roles and responsibilities
- The leadership team is committed to finding ways of enhancing our limited resources and using them for the promotion of student learning.
Areas for Improvement:
- There is always room for growth in communication between MSS administration and faculty/staff; between faculty/staff and parents
- There is a need to help the faculty, staff and students to internalize the Mission of Catholic Mission Schools – and the ESLRs.
Consistency of Purpose, Schoolwide Learner Outcomes, and Programs
A1.4 Indicator: There is a strong degree of consistency between the school purpose, the schoolwide learner outcomes, and the school programs.
A1.4 Prompt: Provide a range of examples that the school vision, mission, schoolwide learner outcomes, and program are consistent
FINDINGS
The Mission Statement and the Philosophy of Maris Stella School express clearly the vision of the school for the students.
The Mission Statement and the Philosophy of Maris Stella School express clearly the vision of the school for the students.
EVIDENCE
• Students of the month
• (SLOs) Schoolwide Learner Outcomes
• Philosophy, Mission Statement
• Spiritual Oriented Programs throughout the year
• Field trips related to classroom instruction
• Palau International Coral Reef Center
• Students of the month
• (SLOs) Schoolwide Learner Outcomes
• Philosophy, Mission Statement
• Spiritual Oriented Programs throughout the year
• Field trips related to classroom instruction
• Palau International Coral Reef Center
Achievements:
- MSS leadership and staff are qualified and committed to the school’s mission.
- MSS leadership and staff have a good working relationship with each other.
- MSS leadership and staff look for new opportunities for professional development.
- MSS leadership conducts summer workshops with the faculty and staff, and are engaged in on-going professional development through courses at Palau Community College, workshops, seminars, and days of reflection, both throughout the school year and during the summer.
- MSS leadership and staff see what they are doing at Maris Stella as a vocation, rather than as a job.
- Two teachers received Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts and Sciences while teaching.
- Two continue working towards Master’s Degrees in Education, one in Public Administration
- One currently working on A.S. degree in Elementary Education.
- Principal regularly observes teachers and gives immediate feedback. Students complete an evaluation questionnaire as part of this feedback.
Areas for Improvement:
- MSS needs to find new sources of funding, as many of our gifted teachers, as they receive their proper credentials, are wooed away from Maris Stella School, either with higher paying jobs in the public school sector, or in higher paying and glamorous jobs in the government sector.
- Continuing education is still need with our faculty.
- MSS needs more professional development opportunities.
- MSS needs to formalize policies for Benefits and Promotion for faculty and staff.
Communication about Vision, Mission, and Schoolwide Learner Outcomes
A1.5. Indicator: The school has means to publicize the vision, mission, and schoolwide learner outcomes to the students, parents and other members of the school community.
A1.5. Prompt: Examine the effectiveness of the means to publicize the purpose and the schoolwide learner out comes to the students, parent and other members of the school community.
FINDINGS
Both buildings (Upper Maris Stella and Lower Maris Stella) have display signs.
The school's website
Students recite the Mission Statement in English and Palauan during weekly morning assembly
Both buildings (Upper Maris Stella and Lower Maris Stella) have display signs.
The school's website
Students recite the Mission Statement in English and Palauan during weekly morning assembly
EVIDENCE
• School Board Sign
• Yearly Calendar
• Handbook
• Maris Stella website & Facebook
• School Assemblies
• School Board Sign
• Yearly Calendar
• Handbook
• Maris Stella website & Facebook
• School Assemblies
Achievements:
- The MSS Handbook is clear about the need for a clean, healthy and safe environment, relate it to the mission and core values of the school, and spells out procedures, and consequences for not following the procedures.
- The school provides opportunities for students to develop knowledge, attitudes, and practices necessary for wellness and a healthy lifestyle.
- The school develops working relationships with local authorities and health service providers.
- Safe drinking water is available throughout the day for the students and staff.
- The school has a caring, esteem-building, and concerned staff with high expectations for students.
- Dedicated and committed staff and faculty members
- Generous and supportive parents/guardians, and local and national governments
- An effective system for proctoring and monitoring students while on campus, particularly during recess, lunch hour, and after school has been developed and put into practice.
- MSS has clearly written policies to ensure safety and security of the students in case of an accident or illness, both on campus and at school functions and field trips off campus.
- Increased space for student physical education activities, that will be safe and conducive to the activities has been accomplished.
- Emergency plans are practiced at the beginning of each school year.
Areas for Improvement:
- There needs to be ongoing maintenance in order to make sure older buildings are still safe and conducive to learning.
Regular Review/Revision
A1.6. Indicator: The school has a process for regular review/revision of the school purpose and the schoolwide learner outcomes based on current and future learner needs and other local/global
A1.6. Prompt: Evaluation the effectiveness of the regular process for review/revision of the core beliefs, school vision, mission, and the schoolwide learner outcomes. Include the degree to which the review/revision process addresses current and future learner needs and other local/global trends/conditions.
FINDINGS
The Handbook was developed and revised over the years. As situation change and learning from experience, the handbook is subject for continual review, evaluation and revision
Translation of the Mission Statement from English to Palauan.
Revision of subjects taught
Revision of the Progressive Report.
Revision of Grading System
The Handbook was developed and revised over the years. As situation change and learning from experience, the handbook is subject for continual review, evaluation and revision
Translation of the Mission Statement from English to Palauan.
Revision of subjects taught
Revision of the Progressive Report.
Revision of Grading System
EVIDENCE
• Faculty/Staff meeting agenda
• Revision of the Mission Statement by based on the previous vision and credo.
• School Handbook
• Faculty/Staff meeting agenda
• Revision of the Mission Statement by based on the previous vision and credo.
• School Handbook
Achievements:
- Catholic Mission Schools has developed a CMS computerized grade book, which includes a wide range of testing categories that accurately assess student performance at both Maris Stella School and Mindszenty High School.
- As a school, Maris Stella was one of two non-government elementary school that scored highest on the Pacific Island Literacy and Numeracy Assessment, given to more than 45,000 Year 5 and Year 7 (elementary school age) students from around 700 schools across 13 countries.
- Maris Stella uses a Mid-Quarter Progress Report to meet parents’ requests for information on a students’ progress mid-quarter.