Case Study And Analysis Aurora Academy Charter School

Organization Problem Case Study and Analysis Emily Van Luit University of Northern Colorado Shaping Organizations: Management and Leadership in Education ELPS 603 Dr. Chris Jenkins December 10, 2014 Organization Problem Case Study and Analysis Background Aurora Academy Charter School came to be in the fall of 2000, and was the first charter school within the Aurora Public School District. A group of parents who were unhappy with their neighborhood schools banded together to create Aurora Academy. Collectively, they purchased and renovated an old office building, completed the charter application, and researched and selected the Core Knowledge curriculum to create a K-8 school dedicated to excellence. At present, Aurora Academy†¦show more content†¦She has been recognized as being the Principal of a â€Å"Gain Making School† and a â€Å"John Irwin School of Excellence,† by the Colorado Department of Education.† (Aurora Academy, 2013) Mrs. Rowe, the Assistant Principal, has â€Å"trained teachers and taught students in Benin, West Africa; taught in an integrated program for at-risk students in Los Alamos, New Mexico; started a program for at-risk students in Mahopac, New York; and taught AP, Honors, special ed., at-risk, and low-level readers in the Cherry Creek School District.† (Aurora Academy, 2013) The school’s recently revised mission states that Aurora Academy is to â€Å"provide a well-rounded, rigorous curriculum with high academic standards for Kindergarten through 8th grade students.† The motto that appears throughout the school, as well as on all publications, including mailers and the school’s website says, â€Å"Expect more. Achieve more.† The Problem During the last three years, math proficiency has declined in middle school. The most obvious trend over the past three years is the decline of growth and performance percentiles at the middle school level. Middle school students are not meeting the needed growth to catch up and keep up to meet proficiency. Frame Analysis Structural Frame In all grades, math instruction has not met the needs of Aurora Academy students. The teaching staff has not been properly trained in math curriculum or math strategies, if at all, and