Southern Regional Education Board College Readiness Review Visit (CRR) Summary Briefing Coleman Junior High School Coleman, TX November , 2010 Royce Young, Superintendent Paula Ringo, Principal

Southern Regional Education Board College Readiness Review Visit “Snapshot” as seen by those external to your school Baseline data Use as a tool to further your work to make a very good school even better

Southern Regional Education Board Components of the CRR Report Promising Practices Challenges and Action Steps Next Steps

Southern Regional Education Board Promising Practices: Mentor Class Student Choice In Assignments ie. Poetry Assignment; 7 th Grade Math In An Elective Class Monday is Reserved for Reading Frequent teacher questioning to clarity to verify student thinking Evidence of use of Rubrics Extra Help Classes Technology – Laptops for all students Personalized Study Island for individual students

Southern Regional Education Board Promising Practice: Engaging Instructional Strategies Interactive Math and Science Journal Students reported some teachers relate the curriculum to real world Students reported they prefer project based learning Interactive technology for each student Students experience Yearbook class run like a business Bell to bell use of instructional time a building priority

Southern Regional Education Board Promising Practice: Engaging Instructional Strategies Students use academic language (context clues; heterozygous gnomes) “Knowledge is money in the bank when you get older” (6 th grade student) Culture of anti-bullying building wide Detailed lesson plans for substitute teachers All students are engaged All teachers conduct class interacting with students Word wall in math classes The 8 th grade fieldtrip to the Holocaust Museum

Southern Regional Education Board Promising Practice: Literacy Across The Curriculum Reading is occurring in all classrooms Students report writing is supported by technology Multiple literacy strategies evident (Frayer Model; exit slips; various foldables; word walls)

Southern Regional Education Board Promising Practice: Mathematics Instruction Math/Science/Technology/Engineering Robotics Club and Scholastic Competition

Southern Regional Education Board Promising Practice: Instructional Standards Implementation of the C – Scope Curriculum Teachers demonstrate an expectation that student work will be completed to standards The philosophy of continuous improvement has become institutionalized within the school There is a rapid staff response to data

Southern Regional Education Board Promising Practice: School Culture Inspiring College Attendance Monthly College Days Career Fair College Visits TSTC Career Presentation Mentor Class Texas Workforce Commissioner Presentation to students Development of Student Portfolios

Southern Regional Education Board Challenge 1 Are Engaging Instructional Strategies Preparing Students For A College Preparatory Curriculum?

Southern Regional Education Board Challenge 1: Possible Action Steps Involve teachers in the MMGW workshops using the SREB Getting Students Ready For High School series Correlate the Getting Ready power standards with the C-Scope Curriculum. Have teachers come to agreement on what proficient work looks like using the tuning protocol. Continue to require students to redo work and retake assessments that do not meet standards.

Southern Regional Education Board Challenge 2: Is There An Emphasis on Implementing Literacy Across The Curriculum?

Southern Regional Education Board Challenge 2: Possible Action Steps Implement Literacy Strategies Across The Curriculum using the SREB publication Literacy Across the Curriculum: Setting and Implementing Goals for Grades Six through 12 Encourage teachers to use power literacy strategies in all classes Continue to teach all students a rigorous language arts curriculum that will prepare them for college- preparatory courses in grade nine. Develop a school wide Literacy Plan that incorporates SREB’s five literacy goals.

Southern Regional Education Board Challenge 3: Are All Students Engaged In A Challenging Math Curriculum Providing A Foundation To Be Successful In A Math/Science Technology/Engineering Concentration In High School?

Southern Regional Education Board Challenge 3: Possible Action Steps Solve real-world problems. Across the curriculum embed numeracy skills and activities that allow students to see mathematical connections in science, the fine arts and exploratory courses. Continue to communicate understanding of mathematics problems, ideas, and thinking orally and in writing weekly.

Southern Regional Education Board Challenge 4 Are Standards The Foundation For Instruction In All Classrooms?

Southern Regional Education Board Challenge 4: Possible Action Steps Involve 8 th grade English and mathematics teachers in MMGW workshops that use the SREB series on Getting Students Ready for High School. Continue to support teachers in the implementation of course syllabi, formative and summative assessments, and rubrics.

Southern Regional Education Board Challenge 5 Does The School Culture Support College Readiness Standards To Inspire Students To Attend College?

Southern Regional Education Board Challenge 5: Possible Action Step Continue EXPLORE and track student progress toward College Readiness Standards. Have all students complete a Career Research Project aligned to their interests as identified by the EXPLORE test. Continue to stress the importance of a culture of effort and hard work throughout the school. Continue to stress the need for all teachers to have high standards and to hold students to higher standards.

Southern Regional Education Board Challenge 5: Possible Action Step Develop a summer bridge program to meet the needs of students who have failed state exams or coursework. Continue to ensure that all classes are structured to help students achieve content standards and that students have the extra time and help needed to achieve the standards. Continue to develop relationships with students to build their efficacy as a learner and value as a person. Implement the Habits of Success for students.

Southern Regional Education Board Next Steps as Identified by Coleman Junior High School All students will attain proficiency or better in reading, mathematics, writing, social studies, and science by Maintain or improve attendance at 96% or higher. Recruit and retain highly qualified teachers. Reduce number of discipline referrals and physical altercations. Identify at-risk students early and provide intervention strategies and assistance.

Southern Regional Education Board Next Steps as Identified by Coleman Junior High School Increase Parent and Community Involvement Integrate technology into the school to benefit all students

Southern Regional Education Board What’s Next? Review and use all data including CRR Report to select and prioritize action steps Divide actions among focus teams Develop/integrate three-year action plan Steps Interim Timelines and Benchmarks Resources Evidence of implementation’s impact Analysis of Results Repeat cycle

Southern Regional Education Board The CRR Team wishes to thank you for your hospitality, cooperation, and helpfulness during the visit. Gary Bredahl, Chair – SREB Virginia Dean - SREB THANK YOU! CRR Team Appreciation