The Number Line in the Common Core

School Background

George M. Shirakawa Sr. Elementary School is a K-8 school in the East Side of San Jose, where gang activities, low academic achievement rates, and low socioeconomic backgrounds are known to be some of the neighborhood characteristics.  Our two major ethnic groups are from Hispanic (42%) and Asian (43%, predominantly Vietnamese) families and about 40% of those students are categorized as English Language Learners (ELL).  We also serve Filipino (5%), Caucasian (4%), African American (2%), and mixed race (4%) populations in our student body.³  Approximately 70% of the student population are eligible for free or reduced lunch.  Against those odds, Shirakawa has earned the title of being a California Distinguished School in 2008.  In 2015, we celebrated our success as a California Honor Roll School, recognized by Educational Results Partnership (ERP) and the Campaign for Business and Education Excellence (CBEE), for demonstrating consistently high levels of student academic achievement and reducing achievement gaps among student populations.  According to the 2015-2016 SBAC preliminary results, 70% of 8^th grade students have met or exceeded English Language Arts Common Core Standards and 74% have met or exceeded Math Common Core Standards. 

Since we are a large school with nine grade levels, different grades have voluntarily built their own small learning communities (SLC).  For example, 7^th and 8^th grade teachers regularly meet to discuss curriculum lesson plans, student discipline issues, and coordinate student events only for middle school students.  Although I am the only teacher who is in charge of 8^th grade math curriculum, I collaborate with 6^th and 7^th grade math teachers in an effort to interpret Common Core Standards and to improve student achievement.  Our small professional learning communities are largely responsible for Shirakawa’s success over the years.  Shirakawa continues to work tirelessly to provide a safe learning environment, support every student and teacher, and foster a love of learning through our A, B, C’s: Academic excellence for ALL students, Building culture and community, and Collaboration.