Teaming At Lewiston High School Lewiston, Maine

Who Are We ? 1342 Students – the ONLY show in town LRTC – Tech Center attached (5 senders) 105 LEP Students (72 last year) 198 Special Ed. Students 46% Free/Reduced Lunch Urban (2 Major Hospitals, Bates College, UMaine L/A, Several community colleges, Tim Horton’s & Starbucks!)

Why Team? Personalization! Ninth grade a make-or-break year for students Some students do well in middle school, only to become overwhelmed by the size and complexity of today’s high schools. Then there are some who simply don’t want to go to class. …Whatever the reasons, researchers and school officials say ninth grade has become a watershed year. The Washington PostThe Washington Post (free registration) (5/11/04)

Initial Configuration Whole School Blue Day – Periods 1 – 4 … 81 minutes each Blue Day – Periods 1 – 4 … 81 minutes each White Day – Periods 5 – 8 … 81 minutes each White Day – Periods 5 – 8 … 81 minutes each 4 Freshman Teams, approx 80 students ea. 5 On-team classes 5 On-team classes Math, Science, History, English, Flex 3 Electives 3 Electives Teachers: 1 Period of Common Planning Time Teachers: 1 Period of Common Planning Time

Current Configuration Grades remained on Blue/White Block Schedule Freshman teams: Five 50-minute classes that meet daily Five 50-minute classes that meet daily Math, Sci, Hist, Eng, Flex One 81-minute Blue Day elective (1 st or last per.) One 81-minute Blue Day elective (1 st or last per.) One 81-minute White Day elective (last or 1 st per.) One 81-minute White Day elective (last or 1 st per.)

Drop Out – Number of Students ‘95‘96‘97‘98‘99‘00‘01‘02‘03‘04‘05‘ (406)14(337)10(341)10(358) th 10 th 11 th 12th Thru 1/18/06 9 th drop-outs: 5 yrs pre-team = 106 … 5 yrs post-team = th drop-outs: = 58 … = 106 TOTAL:

Recovery Rates – PR to RC Freshmen Q1 PR Q1 RC Q2 PR Q2 RC Single F Mult. F Sum = -114% “Recovery Rate” -20% -32% -17% -45%

Recovery Rate Over the first 3 quarters of the year Freshman: -141%Freshman: -141% Sophomore: -30%Sophomore: -30% Junior: -45%Junior: -45% Senior:-148%Senior:-148%

How to Start the Right Way Develop Whole Staff Support of Teaming Not just support of team teachers Not just support of team teachers Gather pre-teaming data What’s important to your school? Train/develop integrated cross-curricular units

Good Luck in Your Journey! Marie Laverdiere English Teacher – 9 th gradeTeam 3 English Teacher – 9 th gradeTeam 3 Elizabeth Bradley Former Math Teacher – 9 th grade Team 3 Former Math Teacher – 9 th grade Team 3 Assistant Principal for Freshmen Assistant Principal for Freshmen THE END

Raising Up All Students (Keep this?) Class of ’06 October 2002; n = 406 October 2002; n = 406 January 2006; n = 355 (loss of 51) January 2006; n = 355 (loss of 51) 77 high risk 278 on track to graduate (68% of 406) LHS in Dec ’05 … n = 41 (1 Jr.) LHS in Dec ’05 … n = 41 (1 Jr.) N = 33 < 500 in math & 27 < 500 in reading Dave Bowie’s data re: top 25% Dave Bowie’s data re: top 25%

Why Team? Personalization! Ninth grade a make-or-break year for students In Prince George's County, Md., last year, nearly 22% of the county's 12,229 ninth-graders had to repeat their freshman year. By creating specialized academies, providing mentors and offering study-skills classes, schools in the metro Washington, D.C., area are redoubling their efforts to help students make it through this watershed year. The Washington Post (free registration) (5/12/04)The Washington Post