Vision, Mission, and Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs)
Students are, and continue to be, the center of the school’s purpose. The long term outcome is that students, regardless of background or prior learning experience, will continue to master essential skills that prepare them for college and career. MAUES became fully accredited by WASC (for Grades K – 5) in May 2015. The school’s vision statement reads like this: “To empower all students to become respectful and responsible life-long learners. To this end, faculty and staff continue to make critical improvements in the overall curricular program.

Revised in 2023, the school’s mission statement reads: “Maria A. Ulloa Elementary School will prepare all students for their next level of education, promote excellence, and provide opportunities to become independent thinkers, independent learners, and respectful citizens.” The goal is to become a school with a solid reputation for high performance, meaning that all teachers intentionally use a variety of high-leverage strategies, assessment data, and instructional technology to meet the unique learning needs of all students. At the same time, all students are accessing a rigorous, guaranteed, and viable curriculum that prepares them for a successful future as productive citizens of the 21st century. Through ongoing collaboration and continuous professional development, faculty and staff will ensure that student achievement results continue to climb.

All our academic courses, extra-curricular activities, and special events are now filtered through our mission and vision. And upon completing their studies at Maria A. Ulloa Elementary School, students will be: Model; Citizens, Academic Achievers, Users of Technology, Engaged Learners, Solution Seekers.

Common Core State Standards
The Guam Education Board adopted the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) and all DOE schools are in the process of implementing those standards. The CCSS define what students are expected to know and be able to do in order to become a literate and productive citizen. These standards are research and evidence based, aligned with college and work expectations, rigorous, and internationally benchmarked. The mastery of these standards suggests that students will be more prepared to live and work in a globally competitive society. To that end, MAUES faculty and staff are fully implementing these standards, along with the rest of the district.   Instructional Strategies Along with the current emphasis on college and career readiness, teachers will be exploring the intentional use of various instructional strategies that have been proven to yield higher achievement gains. This is part of an effort to differentiate learning experiences that will better prepare students for higher education or the workplace.

Assessments
In order to make better instructional decisions, teachers will be administering various assessments, including but not limited to teacher-developed tests and quizzes, formative assessments, curriculum-based measurements, and standardized tests. In 2012-2013, MAUES was among twelve DOE schools that implemented AIMSweb. This particular assessment tool requires three benchmark testing periods and may include addition progress monitoring as recommended by the teacher. The use of AIMSweb will continue for the indefinite future. The goal of all these assessments it to get a more accurate picture of students’ performance in order to provide appropriate interventions or make adjustments to instruction.   District-Wide Assessment In the spring, students are administered two district-wide assessments. The national norm-referenced test, Smarter Balance will be administered to selected grade levels and subjects.

Textbooks
Textbooks are regarded as a resource for the classroom, not the primary source of curriculum. However, to support learning objectives, teachers may issue DOE-adopted textbooks as well as supplemental texts to students. These must be kept in good condition and returned at the end of the school year. Parents will be responsible for lost or damaged textbooks. Certain school documents may be withheld until textbook obligations have been cleared.  

Special Programs
MAUES offers several programs to address the unique needs of students. These are described below:   Chamorro Language and Culture – The Chamoru Language and Culture Program is mandated by law, with the intent of preserving and perpetuating the native language and culture of Guam.  The mandated number of minutes for Chamoru instruction are 100 minutes weekly for Kindergarten through 3rd grade and 150 minutes weekly for 4th and 5th grade.  At MAUES, Chamoru is taught for one hour every other day Monday through Thursday, and for 30 minutes on Friday for all grade levels.  Students of all grades report to their respective Chamoru teacher during their designated Chamoru class time.

English as a Second Language (ESL)
The ESL program provides supplementary instruction to students who have a background with any language other than English as indicated on the Home Language Survey (HLS) that is filled out during registration. If a student has any language other than English, the ESL coordinator will assess student’s language proficiency. Depending on the results, eligible students may receive sheltered instruction or consultation services. English Language Learners who receive sheltered services will go to an ESL teacher for English Language Arts.  Students who receive consultation services will remain in the general education classroom, but will be able to receive select modifications and accommodations that other students are not privy to.

Special Education
The Department of Education is following the national trend toward a full inclusion model. The expectation is that most students identified with special needs will receive instruction in the general education classroom with the appropriate supports and accommodations. A resource room is available for students whose Individualized Education Program (IEP) calls for such placement. Special education teachers may also provide consultative services to students receiving instruction in the general education classrooms. Some students may also be eligible for speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, leisure education, or other related services.  

Gifted and Talented Education (GATE)
Students identified as gifted in Kinder through 5th grade, attend GATE classes for three hours a week.  Identification is based on a nationally normed achievement test score, a rating by the child's teacher, and two intelligence tests.

Awards Criteria
​MAUES promotes academic excellence and celebrates students’ accomplishments. Celebration comes in many forms, including but not limited to verbal praise, certificates of achievement, or other means of recognizing students who do exceptional or above average work. Students who meet or exceed the standards and expectations will be recognized through the various awards described below:    

Principal's Award
Is given to students in First to Fifth grade who maintain a final semester grade of 4.0 in all subject areas (Reading, ELA, Math, Science, Social Studies, Physical Education, Health, Art, Music and Chamoru), achieve Tier 1 status for AIMSWeb Reading and Math for all benchmarks, and maintain a 4 in Citizenship.

The child must have an overall grade of 4.0 in semester 1 and semester 2 in all subject areas (Reading, ELA, Math, Science, Social Studies, Physical Education, Health, Art, Music and Chamoru)

The Child must be in Tier 1 in ELA and Math as measured by the AIMSWeb Benchmark assessments for Fall, Winter and Spring.
 
The child must maintain a 4 in Citizenship for semester 1 and semester 2 2ith no major and minor Office Discipline Referrals (ODR) relative to behavior not including attendance and tardiness.

Perfect Attendance
Is given to Kindergarten to 5th grade students who are present for all instruction days, having no record of tardiness and no record of leaving before the end of the school day.
 
The child must be physically present in the classroom by 8:30 a.m. and depart no earlier than 2:43 p.m. for the day.

Citizenship Award
Is given to Kindergarten to Fifth grade students who maintain a 4 in Citizenship according to the Citizenship and Life Readiness Skills criteria in semester 1 and semester 2.
Citizenship and Life Readiness Skills will be determined by the following criteria.
 
Engagement:
Participates in class discussions and activities, asks and answers questions, and is on task either in person or on video conferences, depending on model of learning or event.  

Organization and Planning:
Organizes notes, handouts, supplies, and instructional materials; plans assignments, activities and tasks effectively; and manages time efficiently to meet deadlines.  

Completion and Submission of Assignments:
Completes and submits assignments regularly and on time.

Conduct:
Displays respectful and appropriate conduct when communicating with teachers, peers, and others either online or during face- to-face instruction.  

Accountability:
Follows school rules and takes responsibility. Certificate of Improvement
Is given to Kindergarten to Fifth grade students who improve in academics or citizenship at the end of the second semester. Limited to five awardees per class.
 
Honor Roll Award
Is given to First to Fifth grade students who maintain a final semester grade of 3.0 to 3.9 in all subject areas (Reading, ELA, Math, Science, Social Studies, Physical Education, Health, Art, Music, Chamoru), achieve Tier 1 status for AIMSWeb Reading and Math during the Spring

Benchmark Assessment and maintain a 3 or higher in Citizenship.
 
The child must have an overall grade of 3.0-3.9 in semester 1 and semester 2 in all subject areas (Reading, ELA, Math, Science, Social Studies, Physical Education, Health, Art, Music, Chamoru)
The child must be in Tier 1 in ELA and Math as measured by the AIMSWeb Spring benchmark assessments.
 
The child must maintain a 3 or higher in Citizenship for semester 1 and semester 2 with no major and minor Office Discipline Referrals (ODR) relative to behavior not including attendance and tardiness.

Cool Carabao Kid
Criteria for this award will follow the school’s SLOs with rubrics.
 
Field Trip
A field trip is an off-campus activity that is related to course content and is as an extension of class work. A field trip offers a learning experience not normally available in a classroom setting. An alternate learning activity will be provided for students who may not attend field trips. A parent or guardian must sign a Field Trip Parent Permission Form (“Field Trip Form”) and to authorize their child’s participation. This form will indicate the objectives, dates, location, and other requirements. A written note or verbal authorization from the parent will NOT be
accepted. Students may NOT participate without this form. If a field trip is tied to a behavioral objective and is offered as an incentive to students, but the student fails to meet the prerequisite conditions, the student may NOT participate. All safely precautions will be taken. Students must obey all school and safety rules at all times. Failure to do so may jeopardize participation in future field trips. In addition, full school uniforms must be worn. Parents may be asked to provide a sack lunch or money for meals. Parents or guardians may accompany their child; however, this arrangement must be approved by the principal.

Homework
The purpose of homework is to reinforce what the child has been taught. Carefully selected homework may help students develop positive attitudes toward school, build good study habits, and encourage creative and critical thinking. To these ends, parents are called upon to take an active role in their child’s homework. Some parental responsibilities regarding homework include: checking homework daily conferring with teachers if homework is unclear showing interest in what the student is learning taking homework assignments seriously assisting their child manage time well providing an atmosphere conducive to learning removing distractions (i.e. loud noise, clutter, etc.) providing necessary supplies reviewing assignments for neatness, accuracy, and completion