GAPSS ANALYSIS REPORT Lindley Sixth Grade Academy A T T H E B A R N E S C E N T E R ANALYSIS REVIEW “In the Pursuit of Excellence”

NANCY LARIMER Supervisor, Staff Development This was a great professional learning opportunity for all of the observers. They really enjoyed your school and learned so much. You all are doing some great things. Just continue to work on some key items to move the school forward. The grounds are well-kept and things look great – from hallway transitions to student uniforms. Good job!

COMMENDATIONS Good work towards developing community partnerships that support student learning such as JA, Whitefield Academy, etc. Knowledge of instructional resources such as PICASSO to plan lessons. Content aligned with GPS. Teachers do care. Students love school and teachers.

COMMENDATIONS Design teams aligned to Georgia School Keys. Common assessments utilized. A shared instructional framework. Informative and user friendly school website. Co-teaching classrooms exhibited strongest examples of differentiation.

FULLY OPERATIONAL… Development & implementation of policies, practices, & procedures (L) School culture supports social growth and development of learners (SC) School culture supports emotional growth and development of learners (SC) School culture supports relational growth and development of learners (SC)

CLASS OBSERVATIONS… 76% - 100% commendable Instruction Strand: Lessons aligned with GPS/QCC (85%). Planning & Organization Strand: Class management is conducive to student learning (78%). Planning & Organization Strand: Instruction provided in a safe and orderly environment (85%).

RECOMMENDATIONS TARGET AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT -Curriculum -Instruction -Assessment -Planning & Organization -School Culture -Professional Learning -Leadership -Student Family & Community Support

Curriculum, Instruction & Assessment Not Evident – Student personal efficacy/responsibility C – Teachers indicate they have protected time for collaboration but cannot describe the actual collaborative planning process. C – No evidence that teachers actually complete reflection component on lesson plans and that teachers actually adjust instruction based on data or admin. Feedback.

Curriculum, Instruction & Assessment A – Teachers do collect and analyze data, but more work needed to differentiate instruction (environment, content, process, product) – Too much WHOLE GROUP. A – WHOLE GROUP questioning was used rather than frequent checks for understanding. There was rarely attempts to assess ALL students learning.

Curriculum, Instruction & Assessment I – Rather than an “Agenda” as a list, teachers need to use the Language of the Standards & identify strategies so students can more easily understand the learning goals and expectations. I – When asked, only 69% of the students could explain what they were expected to do. I – Minimal evidence of student self- evaluation and evaluation of others.

PROFESSIONAL LEARNING Differentiate professional learning Continue soliciting teacher input Evaluate the impact of professional development and MONITOR implementation. (Administrators) Train subject area coordinators on rigor and relevance for instruction with higher order thinking skills and redeliver.

PLANNING & ORGANIZATION Although hallway procedures are very effective, some improvement is needed in some teachers’ classrooms creating a more safer and productive learning environment. During MANY classroom observations, instruction was interrupted by other teachers for reasons that could have been addressed later or in other ways.

SCHOOL CULTURE Implement peer mediation and student leadership group(s).

LEADERSHIP Develop and implement an effective classroom walk through process to monitor instruction and support teachers. Utilize supplemental resources to strengthen the teaching and learning at the school (PRINCIPAL).

STUDENT FAMILY & COMMUNITY SUPPORT Increase parental involvement through parenting workshops and training sessions.

MR. ROBERT BENSON Very pleased with GAPSS and his visit. Not surprised by the information. (This is good) – a validation of what we know… Thinks we are in a good place and that the iTeam should just follow the support. Staff/Community buying into the VISION of the school and looking forward to achieving our ultimate goal…

“In the Pursuit of Excellence…” THANK YOU! “Relentless”