Clifford Street Elementary School A School in the Los Angeles Unified School District
| Students | Clifford Street | State Average |
|---|---|---|
| Percent students eligible for free/reduced-price lunch | 88% | 54% |
| Percent students with parent educational level at high school degree or greater | 78% | 77% |
| Percent minority students | 93% | 65% |
| Percent American Indian | 3% | 1% |
| Percent Asian | 2% | 8% |
| Percent Pacific Islander | 0% | 1% |
| Percent Filipino | 5% | 2% |
| Percent Hispanic | 82% | 46% |
| Percent African American | 1% | 7% |
| Percent English learner students | 22% | 28% |
| Percent special education students | 16% | 11% |
Source: California Basic Educational Data System (CBEDS) and Standardized Testing and Reporting (STAR) Program, 2006-07
How Clifford Focuses on Instruction
- Develop rigorous instructional strategies: Clifford staff teach content in a manner that fosters critical thinking and problem solving among students. Teachers introduce students to new problems by engaging them collaboratively in tasks that might be too difficult for them to complete on their own. Students are encouraged to work independently and in small groups to tackle new problems while the teacher provides support. The teacher also identifies problem areas to address in future lessons.
- Promote critical thinking among students: Teachers encourage “accountable talk,” where students are expected to be able to justify their answers and responses. Students are also encouraged to explore multiple ways of finding a solution to a problem. Teachers promote student engagement by providing opportunities for students to share their approaches to solving problems and discuss different perspectives. Students are expected to be able to apply concepts beyond a single lesson.
- Adjust the curriculum to address student needs: Clifford staff find ways to tailor the district-mandated curriculum to specifically address the needs of their students. Teachers utilize different strategies (e.g., small group instruction) to make the curriculum accessible to students and present the content in ways that expand students’ knowledge and support their analysis of the material.
| Staff | Clifford Street | State Average |
|---|---|---|
| Number of Students per Full Time Staff: | ||
| Administrators | 174:1 | 345:1 |
| Teachers | 16:1 | 19:1 |
| Paraprofessionals | 50:1 | 80:1 |
| Pupil Service Staff (counselors, nurses, etc.) | N/A | 709:1 |
| Office Staff/Clerical | 58:1 | 188:1 |
| Teacher Characteristics: | ||
| Average years in education | 16 years | 13 years |
| Percentage with Greater than Bachelor's Degree | 73% | 85% |
| Percentage with full credential | 100% | 97% |
Source: CBEDS, 2006-07