June 23, 2011 Session 3 – Case Study: Closing the Achievement Gap in a High Need School Module 1 – How can I use the TfSA Framework to help me close the achievement gap in a “high need” school? Do Now (7 min) – Refer to your ISG running record and think about the information given during the opening ceremony on the achievement gap. Answer the two prompts on Handout Objectives Identify causes of the achievement gap. Evaluate solutions to three common challenges found in schools where an achievement gap exists. Analyze ways in which a protocol can help unpack issues presented in case studies and identify possible solutions. Agenda 10 min – Do Now 5 min – Announcements 30 min – Activity One – Unpacking the Case Study 30 min – Activity Two – Analyzing the Case Study and its Protocol 15 min – Activity Three – Debriefing the Routine 15 min – Closing

A NNOUNCEMENTS Field Training Workshop will take place in the regular SAF session room on Monday. Next week for Module 2, Session 2 and 3 will be switched. Session 2 (Special Education Panel & Case Study) will take place on Wednesday. Session 3 – What is a disability? will be covered on Tuesday. Submit 2-3 Questions to me by Tuesday morning, June 28 th. Fill out the survey:

C ASE S TUDY Each module (except 6) will be framed by a case study Purpose: Examine a problem or situation from a particular viewpoint or many viewpoints Provide an opportunity to solve the problem using personal experience. No right or wrong answer – designed to be from multiple viewpoints Use to frame the essential question: How can I use the TfSA Framework to help me close the achievement gap in a “high need” school?

C ASE S TUDY P ROTOCOL Each case study is accompanied by a protocol which is used to help analyze it. Create structure to help process information Forum for everyone to participate and be heard equally. Follows a very specific guideline When you use a repeating activity, you should invest a good amount of time at the beginning to set rules and expectations. Do not go onto the next step until time is called. Use a timer to show the students are you keeping time.

A CTIVITY O NE – U NPACKING THE C ASE S TUDY Looking at the data in Handout Look at the State Accountability Report Card Sum it up: This school represents the type of school many of you might teach in because it’s a high needs school. Many ELLs Class size is large Student behavior is an issue Making small gains, but Hispanic and African American students are scoring the lowest Consequence: School did not meet the minimum level of improvement.

A CTIVITY T WO – A NALYZING THE C ASE S TUDY AND ITS P ROTOCOL We looked at the report card to get a view of what’s happening in the school. Now, how does this information affect Mr. Park? Part One - Review the case study and identify the challenges that are presented in the case study. Handout outlines the 3 challenges Review the case study and add any challenges on handout. Part Two – Go through the steps in the protocol.

P ART T HREE Share out the challenge and solution Each group will chart their answers for steps 5-7. Handout Gallery Walk Why is this handout effective? How can we prevent slackers that are not filling out the handout? How can we improve the Case Study Protocol?

G ROUP W ORK Might would you consider as a teacher when creating groups for cooperative learning? Skill level Assigning roles Behavior issues

D ISPLAYING G ROUPS

BIG GOALS!! Create Big class goals with your students to provide motivation. Handout gives guidance for creating Big Goals. Display your Big Goal prominently in the class so that you can refer to it on a regular basis Especially if a student is not adhering to classroom rules/group norms. Individual goals can meet specific needs of students. Differentiate their goals Use Annual or Short Term goals from their IEP My Big Goal: Fellow Preparedness!

C OLLABORATION WITH OTHER ADULTS What other adults might be present in the classroom besides you? Paraprofessional – what is their role? What should it be? What is the reality? What challenges will you face as a teacher and how can you deal with it? ESL/Related Service Push-in teachers

W HAT DO YOU WANT TO COVER IN SAF SESSIONS ? How do you reconcile “teaching to the test” with teaching what you think is important? Classroom management strategies for misbehavior (!!!) Co-teaching experience The IEP!! First week of school Differentiating lessons and effectively engaging students with disabilities Engaging students in math Time management The Special Ed stigma Being an authority figure as a recent grad Lesson planning Tried and true practical methods!

C LOSING Take Away Messages The achievement gap is a combination of many factors that exist in schools. Your number one priority as a teacher is to increase student achievement and close the achievement gap. In order to close the gap, teachers must first understand why the gap is present and then act on solutions to the problems that cause it. What are some obstacles to closing the achievement gap? What is your role in closing the achievement gap? What competencies/PVs/HITs did we cover during our SAF session today? Much as you would ask your students “What did we learn today? And how does it tie into our Big Goal?” By Monday: Complete the survey By Tuesday: Submit questions for the panel via Work Product: Due on Tuesday by 4pm on myNYCTF