Annual Report

2009
Curriculum, Instruction & Student Achievement

Public Charter School District #4099-07

Ranked #1 in the nation for Student Growth

By North West Evaluation Association (NWEA)
Clockwise from top left:
1. TiZA students participate in the “Mock Trial”
program at William Mitchell School of Law
2. Outdoor learning
3. Science Fair
4. TiZA Girl Scouts sell cookies to fund their troop
5. TiZA students learn an important Minnesota
tradition – fishing
6. TiZA Cub Scouts learn about patriotism and
honor
7. TiZA students participate in a pre-election town
hall forum held for all Inver Grove Heights city
council & mayoral candidates
Upholding A Higher Standard
Tarek ibn Ziyad Academy (TiZA) is pleased to
present the 2009 Annual Report. This
publication will provide you, our community
partner, with an overview of your School
District. We want you to know how we do
business, and invite you to become active
partners in the important process of educating
the leaders of tomorrow. Many of the pieces in
these documents are required by law for
school districts to report to stakeholders.
At TiZA, we are preparing responsible citizens
who are integrated into American society and
contribute to it's improvement. This is in line
with the vision of TiZA, to contribute to the
building of a diverse, virtuous and moral
America by helping children understand their
stewardship role in the world. By our teaching,
modeling and practice, we hope to embed in
our students a sense of care, responsibility,
and love.
In the 2008-09 school year we saw continued
successes in student achievement, financial
health and continued growth. In 2009 the
NWEA tests ranked TiZA as the top school in
the nation in math and reading. TiZA received
the Growth Achievement Award from NWEA
for exceptional student growth in 2009. In
2009, TiZA students achieved 92.5%
proficiency in math and 72% in reading, while
achieving an average annual growth of 1.6
years. TiZA has achieved Adequate Yearly
Progress (AYP) consecutively for the last five
years. These successes are all the more
notable because over 80% of our students live
below poverty and over 70% have limited
English skills.
TiZA has received the Education
Commissioner's finance award two years in a
How to Contact TiZA Administration & Board of Directors
Executive Director: Asad Zaman
Board: Shaaban Aboubadria, Moira Fahey, Mohamed Farid, Mahrous Kandil (Chair), Emily Loose
4100 East 66th Street. Inver Grove Heights, MN 55076. 651-457-7072. info@ tizacademy.com
row. Less than 10% of Minnesota school
districts qualified for this award in 2009.
TiZA now serves more than 500 students from
39 cities in the Twin Cities Metropolitan Area.
These include: Andover, Anoka, Apple Valley,
Blaine, Bloomington, Brooklyn Park, Burnsville,
Champlin, Chanhassen, Columbia Heights,
Coon Rapids, Cottage Grove, Eagan, Eden
Prairie, Farmington, Fridley, Hastings, Hopkins,
Inver Grove Heights, Lino Lakes, Little
Canada, Maple Grove, Maplewood, Mendota
Heights, Minneapolis, Moundsview, New
Brighton, Newport, Oakdale, Ramsey,
Rosemount, Saint Anthony, Saint Paul, Saint
Paul Park, Savage, Shoreview, South St Paul,
West Saint Paul, and Woodbury. Our students
speak more than 10 different languages at
home and trace their ancestry from more than
15 different countries.
The information in this report highlights the
accomplishments of our talented students,
dedicated faculty, hardworking parents, and
exceptional supporters, and shows the results
of their continued engagement with TiZA.
These results can be seen in the increased
academic successes of our students and the
awards they generate. Thank you for your
continued support of Tarek ibn Ziyad Academy.
We look forward to partnering with you to help
students learn today so they can lead
tomorrow.
Sincerely,
Asad Zaman
Executive Director
 2009 State Test (MCA)
Results At A Glance:
• TiZA District outperformed the state in math at
all grades for the third year in a row

• TiZA, on average, matched the state

performance in reading, although 70% of our
students are English Language Learners (ELL)

• TiZA students outperformed the state in

reading at grades 3, 5, 8

• TiZA achieved “AYP” status for the last 5 years.

• TiZA was listed at the top of the list for “Beating

the Odds” by the Minneapolis Star Tribune for
two years in a row.

• TiZA state test results were independently

validated through MDE on-site monitoring and
Caveon Data Forensic Analysis

• Over 80% of TiZA students qualify for

free/reduced meals

• TiZA tests 100% of students

Focused on learning!

Highlights From State Tests in MCA Math

Grade 3- TiZA ranked 4th in state out of 839 schools that tested at least ten students.
Grade 4- TiZA ranked 28th in the state out of 836 schools that tested at least ten students.
Grade 5- TiZA ranked 3rd in the state out of 812 schools that tested at least ten students.
Grade 6- TiZA ranked 78th in the state out of 614 schools that tested at least ten students.
Grade 7- TiZA ranked 58th in the state out of 492 schools that tested at least ten students.
Grade 8- Fewer than 10 students took the test.
 100
90

Percent Proficient
80
70
60
2009 MCAII Math: 50
Percent of Students 40
Proficient 30
20
10
0
3 4 5 6 7 8
Grade Level
100
90
Percent Proficient

80 State TiZA District

70
60
2009 MTELL Math: 50
Percent of Students 40
Proficient 30
20
10
0
3 4 5 6 7 8
Grade Level
100
90
Percent Proficient

80 State TiZA District

70
60
2009 MCAII Reading: 50
Percent of Students 40
Proficient 30
20
10
0
3 4 5 6 7 8
Grade Level

State TiZA District

NBC Channel 11 KARE – October 6, 2009

“The school's academic testing results have been consistently high”
 Comparison of TiZA and State MCA-II results
Percent Percent Met or
Percent Met Exceeded Exceeded
Target Target Target

TiZA Math 49.09% 8.18% 57.00%

State Math 41.50% 24.64% 66.14%
2005 -
2006
TiZA Reading 12.50% 21.88% 34.00%
State Reading 43.74% 41.89% 76.63%

TiZA Math 43.94% 24.24% 68.18%

State Math 39.60% 27.80% 67.40%
2006 -
2007
TiZA Reading 35.12% 22.02% 57.14%
State Reading 34.10% 36.59% 70.69%

TiZA Math 45.24% 41.67% 86.90%

State Math 41.11% 25.92% 67.03%
2007 -
2008
TiZA Reading 35.59% 34.68% 70.27%
State Reading 31.85% 38.84% 70.69%

TiZA Math 41.43% 51.43% 92.86%

State Math 41.53% 28.16% 69.69%
2008 -
2009
TiZA Reading 38.34% 33.60% 71.94%
State Reading 33.53% 37.99% 71.52%

Minneapolis Star Tribune – July 1, 2009

“According to a Star Tribune analysis of metro area schools, Twin Cities International Elementary
charter school in Minneapolis and Tarek Ibn Ziyad Academy, a charter school with campuses in Inver
Grove Heights and Blaine, do the best in math and reading, respectively, with high numbers of
students living in poverty.”
2009 Student Academic Goals
o Tarek ibn Ziyad Academy will attain Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) in 2009.
o More than 80% of students in grades 3-8 will meet
or exceed grade-level proficiency in Math and more
than 70% of students in grades 3-8 will meet or
exceed grade-level proficiency in Reading on the
2009 Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments
(MCAIIs).
o Students in each grade level on average will attain
or exceed typical growth in Reading and Math
between the fall 2008 and the spring 2009
administrations of the Northwest Evaluation
Association Measures of Academic Progress
(NWEA MAP). This is considered to be attaining or
exceeding “one year’s growth”.
Senator Jim Metzen visits TiZA

TiZA teachers undergo continuous staff

development focused on student achievement
All 2009 Student Academic
Goals were acheived

Tarek ibn Ziyad Academy attained Adequate
Yearly Progress (AYP) in 2009.

Tarek ibn Ziyad Academy students attained Math
MCA proficiency at 92.10% and 71.2%
proficiency in MCA reading.

All grade levels exceeded average growth norms
in reading and math as measurement by the
Northwest Evaluation Association Measures of
Academic Progress (NWEA MAP). Overall,
students made 1.6 years growth (160% of the
national average growth).

Pioneer Press – January 27, 2009

“Tarek ibn Ziyad Academy carries out research-based ideas about helping immigrants become
active, positive American citizens . . . TiZA's academic achievement is excellent.”
School Improvement Program
TiZA has been part of the Minnesota Quality Compensation (Q-Comp) System since 2006. TiZA’s
approval for Q-Comp recognizes best practices in teacher compensation. Approximately 10% of
Minnesota school districts qualify for Q-Comp.

The TiZA school improvement goals are the

same as the Q-Comp goals. Each
consecutive year, our Q Comp school-wide
goal has increased by one or two percentage
points in reading and in math.
TiZA administers the MCAII Reading
Assessments to Grades 3-8, the MCAII &
MTELL Mathematics Assessments to
Grades 3-8 and the NWEA Assessments to
all grades. TiZA is not required to take the
Basic Skills Tests because only K-8 Grades
are served.

Data from formative assessments will be

used to target areas in need of improvement
as well as to emphasize individual student
achievement and promote progress for all pupils.
Active learning in progress
The percentage of all students in grades 3-8 at Tarek ibn Ziyad Academy who earn achievement
levels of “Meets the Standards” or “Exceeds the Standards” on the Mathematics MCAII will increase
from 79.29% to 82% in 2010. The percentage of all students in grades 3-8 at Tarek ibn Ziyad
Academy who earn achievement levels of “Meets the Standards” or “Exceeds the Standards” on the
Reading MCAII will increase from 71.93% to 73% in 2010.

All staff meetings will continue weekly to discuss implementation of

best practices in discipline and instruction. Mentor and lead
teachers will model best practices and meet at least once every two
weeks with their grade level team to discuss implementation.
Mentor and lead teachers will also ensure that all teachers are
observed implementing best practices at a minimum of three times
during the school year. The lead teacher will continue to coordinate
benchmark assessments throughout the year to provide feedback
to teachers on student progress toward meeting state standards.
Four data review meetings will be held throughout the year.

In the past five years all goals set for reading and math were met.
Each year, our school improvement goal has increased by one or
two percentage points in reading and math.
TiZA students prepare banners to
welcome visitors

Minneapolis Star Tribune – July 3, 2008

“Despite having 50 percent or more of its students in poverty, Tarek ibn Ziyad Academy students had
some of the highest scores in the state. Clearly, TiZA is doing something right.”
2009 Nationally Benchmarked
Testing (NWEA)
• All classes exceeded one year growth in math
• All classes except one exceeded one year growth in reading
• TiZA students grew in math on average by 1.6 years in 2009
• TiZA students grew in reading on average by 1.8 years in 2009
• 83% of TiZA students met or exceeded the national average
growth in math
• 78% of TiZA students met or exceeded the national average
growth in reading
MN Representative Marsha
Swails presents a “Student of
the Year” award.

Math % met or Reading % met

Math Reading
Grade exceeded or exceeded
Growth Growth
national average national average
Inver Grove – K 120% 64% 160% 83%
Inver Grove – 1 130% 76% 130% 83%
Inver Grove – 2 130% 80% 90% 50%
Inver Grove – 3 160% 85% 160% 79%
Inver Grove – 4 140% 81% 200% 80%
Inver Grove – 5 190% 85% 260% 80%
Inver Grove – 6 160% 70% 160% 63%
Inver Grove – 7 160% 82% 300% 91%
Inver Grove – 8 220% 75% 270% 75%
Inver Grove –
School Average 143% 78% 158% 76%
Blaine – K 190% 95% 200% 95%
Blaine – 1 140% 90% 170% 90%
Blaine – 2 130% 77% 150% 94%
Blaine – 3 160% 89% 170% 77%
Blaine - 4&5 200% 100% 250% 95%
Blaine
School Average 160% 91% 182% 90%
TIZA District
Average 147% 81% 164% 79%

Minnesota Public Radio – May 13, 2007

“The school's heavy emphasis on teaching English language learners to read paid off in last year's
standardized test scores.”
TiZA Ranked #1 In The Nation By NWEA

Top Schools In The Nation Ranked By NWEA

District Name NWEA Score
Tarek ibn Ziyad Academy 70
Put-In-Bay Local School District 62
Platte River Academy 61
Annandale School District #876 59
Kasson-Mantorville School District 59
Bensenville School District #2 58
Columbus Public School District 57
SAU #23 57
National Heritage Academies – MI 54
ISD #622 North St. Paul, Maplewood, Oakdale 52

• 2009 NWEA Award recipients have used data at least one year prior to the year that they are
being recognized for (2 yrs of enrollment) & have valid growth data for at least 65% of
students enrolled
• NWEA score is based on a weighted average of percentage of target met. This is determined
by calculating the actual number of students who met their growth target and calculating the
district’s percent meeting target from that sum.
Independent Validation of TiZA Achievements

In an effort to validate the authenticity of the high

test results of TiZA students, the Minnesota
Department of Education (MDE) conducted a
surprise inspection to monitor the administration of
the tests. MDE inspectors spent most of the day at
TiZA.

The letter to the right provides independent

validation of the achievements of TiZA students.

To further validate the authenticity of the

high test results of TiZA students, the
Minnesota Department of Education (MDE)
hired “Caveon Test Security” to conduct a
statistical analysis of the TiZA student tests.

The report to the left provides further

independent validation of the achievements
of TiZA students.

District 4099 is TiZA. School 010 is Inver

Grove Heights. School 020 is Blaine.
Using Test Results To Impact Individualized Learning
Students make tremendous growth in the reading and math programs at Tarek ibn Ziyad Academy.
The Northwest Evaluation Association Measures of Academic Progress (NWEA MAP) provide an
assessment tool by which to identify areas for student improvement and to measure student growth.

A longitudinal study of data from the NWEA MAP assessments indicate that most students
enter TiZA below average and often far below their grade level peers, but gain on their peers
and typically exceed the national average after a few years.

NWEA Longitudinal Data:

A cohort of 70 students in grades 5-8 were enrolled in Tarek ibn Ziyad Academy and participated in
the NWEA over a three year period. They first took the test in fall of 2006 and last took the test in
spring of 2009. In mathematics, these students scored on average at the 44th national percentile in
fall of 2006. By spring of 2009, these same students scored on average at the 72nd national
percentile. In reading, these students scored on average at the 36th national percentile in fall of 2006.
By spring of 2009, these students scored on average at the 68th national percentile.

Composite Student Longitudinal Data Table

2006 2009
Subject Percentile Percentile
Rank Rank
Math 44th 72nd
Reading 36th 68th

Individual Student Longitudinal Data Table

2006 2009
Student Name Percentile Percentile
Rank Rank
Student 1 (Math) 1st 69th
Student 2 (Math) 5th 93rd
Student 3 (Math) 20th 84th
Student 4 (Math) 64th 98th
Student 5 (Reading) 9th 66th
Student 6 (Reading) 10th 85th
Student 7 (Reading) 31st 97th
Student 8 (Reading) 45th 94th
Student names are confidential under the MN
Data Privacy Act

The annual book fair encourages students to

become lifelong learners.

Mindy Greiling. Chair. MN House Education Committee – May 7, 2008

“What I did see was excellent teachers hard at work in the classroom focused on improving student
achievement.”
Visits to TiZA By Elected Officials
Since inception, Tarek ibn Ziyad Academy has attracted the attention of many elected officials. Below
is a list of Minnesota elected officials who have visited TiZA.

1. Lieutenant Governor Carol Molnau

2. Senator Jim Carlson
3. Senator Kevin Dahle
4. Senator Sharon Erickson Ropes
5. Senator Chris Gerlach
6. Senator Jim Metzen
7. Senator Gen Olsen
8. Senator Kathy Saltzman
9. Senator Chuck Weiger
10. Representative Joe Atkins
11. Representative Bobby Champion
12. Representative Matt Entenza
13. Representative Sondra Erickson
14. Representative Mindy Greiling
15. Representative Rick Hansen
16. Representative Marsha Swails
17. Mayor Tom Ryan (Blaine)
18. Mayor George Tourville (Inver Grove)
Senators, Representatives and Legislative
Staff team visits TiZA

Senator Kathy Saltzmann and Rep Marsha Swails

present end of year awards
Financial Overview
Presented below is an overview of the sources and uses of funds at Tarek ibn Ziyad Academy. The
2009 numbers are unaudited, because we are required to issue the annual report in October, while
the financial audit is required by December.

1 1
1 2
2 2
3
3 3

Sources of General Funds 2009 (unaudited) 2008 2007

1. Local Sources 1.00% 1.80% 1.80%
2. State Sources 93.50% 92.70% 91.90%
3. Federal Sources 5.50% 5.40% 6.30%

1 1 1
2 2 2
3 3 3
4 4 4

Uses of Funds 2009 (unaudited) 2008 2007

1. Instruction & Support 51.90% 51.60% 59.90%
2. Operations, Facilities, Maint. 33.60% 39.70% 27.40%
3. Student Transportation 6.10% 5.40% 6.20%
4. District Level Admin 8.40% 3.30% 6.50%
Total Uses of Funds $4,557,721 $4,249,583 $2,791,180

Finance Award
TiZA received the Commissioner’s
Finance Award in 2008 and 2009.
Award recognizes best practices in
school finances & management.
Only a small percentage of districts
qualify for the award.
Additional Disclosures

Parent Satisfaction Survey

High levels of parent satisfaction were
indicated in a 2006 comprehensive parent
survey. All parents volunteer a minimum of
one time per school year, with 38.4%
volunteering one or more times per month.
This is significant because most TiZA parents
work two jobs.

TiZA parents meet teachers during open house.

Students present to their peers during the assembly.

Other Required Disclosures

• TiZA has no site decision-making
agreement.
• TiZA has no district advisory committee.
• The TiZA board has approved a Personal
Development Plan (PDP) for the
Executive Director.
• The TiZA Executive Director has
approved a PDP for each board member
and each individual in an administrative,
supervisory, or instructional leadership
positions.
• Each PDP mandates specific
accomplishments in the areas of student
growth, community relationships and
organizational management. Each PDP
will be implemented in the 2009-2010
school year and thereafter.
 The mission of the Tarek ibn Ziyad Academy is to contribute to building a diverse, virtuous and moral America by helping children to
understand their stewardship role in the world, embedding in them a sense of care, responsibility, love, leadership, civic participation,
citizenship, tolerance and cooperation.

Tarek ibn Ziyad Academy

Public Charter School District #4099-07
4100 East 66th Street.
Inver Grove Heights, MN 55076
651-457-7072 www.tizacademy.com

Tarek ibn Ziyad Academy offers services to students and employment to staff without regard to their nationality race, religion, gender or disability status.