CHUSD Presents Plans In Response To Studies

COMPLETE REPORT DOCUMENTS USED FOR THIS ARTICLE ARE AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS PAGE.

The State of California perpetually studies all public schools. They study test scores, attendance, discipline patterns, demographics, economic needs and much more. Districts receive the reports and are tasked with the job of addressing shortcomings and areas needing improvement.

Coalinga Huron Unified School District is presenting its plan for this project this week. Reports are available at coalingapress.org under news article links. Some of this report and other pieces of information are provided in the article below.

Education makes an impact on each resident as children grow and become responsible citizens who share int he decisions our community makes. The public is encouraged to share their concerns with CHUSD. Residents may contact the district office at 559-935-7500. School board meets 6:30 PM June 29.

Plan Summary for 2021-22

Coalinga-Huron Unified School District (CHUSD) is located in the southwestern part of Fresno County, California. The district’s student attendance boundary encompasses southwest Fresno County, as well as portions of San Benito and Monterey counties. The physical boundaries extend on both sides of Interstate 5 (west and east) along the agricultural corridor of San Joaquin Valley. Coalinga-Huron Unified serves approximately 4,470 students in grades TK-12. The district comprises four elementary schools, two middle schools, one comprehensive high school, and two alternative high schools. The district spans across two distinct communities with individual needs.

The City of Coalinga hosts a population of approximately 17,179 per the 2019 population estimates from the US Census Bureau. The median household income for Coalinga is $62,522, approximately 16.9% less than the state average. The demographics are 58.8% Hispanic or Latino, 30.8% White, 2.9% Black or African American, 2.4% Asian, 3% Native American, and 2.9% two or more races. Once noted for its oil fields, Coalinga’s largest employer is now the State of California (Coalinga State Hospital and Pleasant Valley State Prison). The outlying areas remain rural and based in agriculture.

Huron is located approximately 15 miles northeast of Coalinga. With a median household income of $25,060, approximately 66.7% less than the state average, making Huron one of the poorest cities in the state. According to Census data for 2021, Huron has the distinction of being the third poorest city in California among cities with 5,000 or more residents. The City of Huron has a population of approximately 7,281 per the 2019 population estimates from the US Census Bureau. Although during harvest seasons, that number of residents may swell to well over 9,000. The demographics are 94.1% Hispanic or Latino, 3.8% White, 0.3% Black of African American, 7% Native American, and 0.9% two or more races. The local economy of Huron depends heavily on the agricultural industry. Students from Huron comprise about one third of the CHUSD student body.

Of the 4,470 students, approximately 1,032 students (23%) of the student population rely on district transportation in grades TK-12th. Students commute from Huron to Coalinga to attend the district’s sole comprehensive high school.

CHUSD is proud of the diversity represented in its student population which includes 1.2% African American, 0.32% American Indian or Alaska Native, 1.4% Asian, 0.38% Filipino, 81.5% Hispanic/Latino, 9.1% White, and 0.95% two or more races and with 5.1% unknown.

The challenges and barriers facing student achievement include limited English fluency, mobility, geographic isolation, and a high rate of poverty. Our English Learner (EL) population is 40.2% of our student body with 17 different languages spoken by CHUSD students. Additionally, 88.9% of our students are socioeconomically disadvantaged.

According to the reports, “Coalinga Huron Unified School District had some good news: Math scores increased 9.3 points from the previous year. ELA scores increased 7.9 points from the previous year. College/Career increased 13.2 points from the previous year.

CHUSD plans to increase performance in these areas and build upon the small successes. The district will continue to identify what interventions are working to support all students as well as the unduplicated pupil population. SEAL, (a English language learning program), will continue to be the focus for our elementary students to build language proficiency for our English Learners.”
Several problems emerged through the studies conducted on CHUSD.

• Chronic Absenteeism
• Graduation Rate
• Suspension Rate

“CHUSD’s Chronic Absenteeism Indicator declined for the district, our Foster Youth subgroup and two of our school’s chronic absenteeism rate increased. Our Foster Youth Subgroup is at a chronic absenteeism color of red. Dawson Elementary School’s Chronic Absenteeism increased to 10.1% and Huron Elementary increased to 12.6%. Through the support of the Director of Student Services and Family Support, any child or youth identified as Foster Youth automatically qualifies for free breakfast, lunch, and transportation to and from school.

Students are also provided a backpack, school supplies, and hygiene kits provided by Fresno County Superintendent of Schools as well as through donations from local businesses and community members.

Overall student graduation rate in CHUSD declined to 81.9 percent. The graduation rate of those students identified as English language learners has declined to 72.1 percent in the 2017-2018 school year but declined even further in the 2018-2019 school year to 52.2 percent. Out of all students, the Hispanic student subgroup also declined by 6.5 percent to an overall graduation rate of 82.2 percent.

The disaggregation of district suspension data revealed that six out of our eleven schools had an increase in suspension rate for the 2018-2019 school year. Additionally, one of our elementary school Suspension Rates increased to a very high level causing the color indicator to change from blue to red and increased 3.6% from the previous school year. Foster Youth and Students with Disabilities sub group’s Suspension Rate also increased.

To address the increase in suspension rates, the district will continue to provide training to increase site leadership’s understanding of behavior, behavior data collection, data disaggregation, and effective alternatives to suspensions in an effort to reduce exclusionary discipline practices. Teachers will participate in professional development aimed at improving teacher capacity to understand student behavior, improve classroom management strategies as well as preventative measures, such as Restorative Practices.

The three goals of the LCAP were originally created with stakeholder input. This year, stakeholder input continues to demonstrate that our efforts are focused in the right direction. The following will continue to remain the focus of this plan: 1) Providing all students with a quality education that will prepare them to be college and career ready, 2) Maintaining an inviting and safe environment conducive to learning for ALL students, and 3) Maintaining its fiscal responsibility to support learning for ALL students.

Local Educational Agency (LEA)
Contact: Coalinga-Huron Unified School District
Johnny Garza, Interim Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services
• jgarza@chusd.org
• 5599357500