1. Gate Equity Webinar: Supporting 9th Grade Success
Dixie Grunenfelder – OSPI
Kefi Andersen – OSPI
Aaron Cummings – Principal in Ephrata School District
Toby Marston – Counselor in mount Baker School District

2. Agenda Understand the importance of 9th Grade
Review keys to supporting 9th Grade success
Provide potential responses to intervene and prevent 9th course grade failure:
Aaron Cummings – Principal in Ephrata School District
Toby Marston – Counselor in Mount Baker School District
OFFICE OF SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION
9/17/2018

3. Vision Mission Measures of Success
Every student ready for career, college, and life
To provide funding, resources, tools, data and technical assistance that enable educators to ensure students succeed in our public schools, are prepared to access post-secondary training and education, and are equipped to thrive in their careers and lives.
Four- and five-year high school graduation rates
Enrollment, remediation, and completion rates in post-secondary training and education

4. Performance Indicators
We must help students:
Enter kindergarten with expected skills in all six areas identified by the Washington Kindergarten Inventory of Developing Skills (WaKIDS).
Meet standard on the 3rd-, 8th-, and 11th-grade statewide English language arts (ELA) and math assessments, and the 8th-grade statewide science assessment.
Grow toward proficiency in ELA and math, as determined by Student Growth Percentiles, in 4th and 6th grades.
Enroll in Algebra I/Integrated Math I by the end of 8th or 9th grade and earn high school credit.
Enroll in college-level courses and earn dual credit.
Take the SAT and ACT and earn college-ready scores.
Access financial aid for post-secondary learning.
We must help students avoid:
9th-grade course failure.
Suspensions and expulsions.
Chronic absenteeism.
Performance Indicators
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5. Polling Do you track 9th grade failure? No No, but plan on starting
Just started
Have for a long time
For data to be useful it needs to be accurate, reliable, and timely
Some districts have data dashboards that track Attendance, Behavior, and Course Work in real time
Teachers can see where they stand vs. the rest of their department
Graduation outliers have these systems in place
OFFICE OF SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION
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6. Accessing Your Data
Contact your District Data Security Manager to get access to the Performance Indicators Preview application.
The role is “PI_Preview Basic User”
Logon to EDS:
Select the “Performance Indicators Preview” application.
Select the school or district organization in which your DDSM assigned your role.
Click on Reports
District preview is going on now
Press release to follow
Will be posted on the OSPI website on the Performance Indicators Page
You can get to EDS through OSPI’s page
OFFICE OF SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION
9/17/2018

7. Why are we concerned with 9th course failure?
Students who end their ninth grade year on-track, are four times more likely to graduate from high school than those who are off track.
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Based on research by University of Chicago CCSR, Preventable Failure Research Summary, April 2014.

8. 9th Grade Course Failure is an Early Warning
9th grade failure is a better predictor of graduation than race, ethnicity, level of poverty, or test scores.
9th Grade Course Failure is actionable.
Addressing 9th grade course failure is also a way to address graduation.
OSPI’s data is just a look back
Hopefully each school is using real time data
So they can intervene in a timely way
Graduation
High School
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Middle School
Elementary

9. What We Know About Preventing 9th Grade Course Failure
9th Grade Success
Build a positive school culture
Use data to monitor progress
Prepare 8th graders transitioning to high school
Build in multi-tier supports
Create a view of the future
DIXIE: According to the research we have done – we saw recurring themes.
Build a positive school culture with connections between staff, students, families
Use data to monitor attendance, behavior, and coursework
Prepare 8th graders coming in with an orientation, Link Crew, Summer School, early registration for appropriate classes, and open communication between middle and high schools about learning expectations (try to stay consistent)
Build in supports and get students positively involved in school with mentors, social activities, social support (counseling, homeroom staff member)
Schedules help support students. Some success has been found through freshmen academy scheduling (keeping all the freshmen separate from the rest), adding advisory periods, using a small school model, staff teaming, and block schedules.
Look to the future. Schedule college visits, keep support for students past 9th grade.
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10. Polling
Do you use a student perception survey to measure school connectedness?
Yes, we survey regularly and use the data to inform our work
Yes, we survey, but don’t really use the data
No, we don’t survey students.
Perception data is a good way to evaluate building culture
Asking if students are proud to go to the school tells you a lot
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11. School Culture… What Students are Telling Us
According to the 2014 Healthy Youth Survey, 10th grade students report:
55% think school is not usually important for later in life
77.3% have people at school to help if needed
84.6% feel safe at school
62.5% say they don’t usually like being at school
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12. School Culture
Failure is not an option is a shared attitude of teachers, staff and students
“Cultural changes take place when questions related to academic press and social support are being asked simultaneously, and when behaviors and beliefs are rooted in relational trust.” –Chuck Salina
Relational Trust
Feeling Safe
Having something to offer
Providing time and expertise
Supports
Provides assistance/
help in meeting expected standards/goals
Academic Press
Provides specific direction embedded in high standards, goals and belief of success for everyone
LEARNING C U L T R E F O R
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9/17/2018
Salina, Girtz, Eppinga

13. Early Warning System at the Student Level
Using Data
Root Cause Analysis
Early Warning System at the Student Level
System Evaluation
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14. Tier 1: 80% ABC Grades Tier 2: 15% One D/F Grade
Multiple
D/F Grades
Tier 2: 15%
One D/F Grade
Tier 1: 80%
ABC Grades
How many students are there in each Tier in your district?
Tier 3: #
Tier 2: #
Tier 1: #
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15. Transition from 8th Grade
For All: Activities and Clubs
For At Risk: Paired with specific teachers
Most At Risk: Mentoring
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9/17/2018

16. How to Set Up Vertical Teaming from Career Guidance Washington
Plan a process aligned with District/Building Level Teams tasks
Focus on grade level communication “between” grade level communication (linked to PLC structures when possible)
Determine if vertical planning team is a subset of the Leadership/Counseling Team
Address transition processes between schools with timelines and responsibilities
Recruit grade level band leaders and counselors
Coordinate Calendars
Clarify roles for grade level leaders and counselors
Link to Multi-Tiered System of Support and Dropout Early Warning Systems
Determine priority tasks (data use, engagement strategies for staff, students and parents)
Organize small group high school campus visits for middle school students
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9/17/2018

17. Multi-Tier System of Supports
An Example from one School District
Tier 3: Individual
Unannounced home visits with door hangers for absentees
One on One study time with class teachers whose classes they are struggling in / Check and Connect
Required Learning Lab/ study hours to make up for incomplete credit
Tier 2: Group
Targeted Lunch Study Hall Hours / Flex Time
Competency Based Credits and extended grade deadline to 20 days into next semester or school year
Tier 1: Universal
Staff shares the attitude “We will not let a single student fail – our will is stronger”
Prepare for new students in January: identify Tier 2-3 and plan interventions.
Counseling staff holds interviews with parents to set up appropriate classes and teachers
before school begins, connect to services, test reading
Team up with the middle school to offer reading intervention classes so student is
ready before entering high school
Freshmen Academy: separates freshmen from the rest, reinforces study skills
Connect students to the school: Link Crew, Day Long Freshmen Camp where they
get to go to classes
“Inspect what you expect” Track data for who’s struggling with attendance,
behavior, and coursework each week and get interventions in place right away
Standards Based Grading: missed deadlines don’t mean failing the
assignment
Strong teachers who volunteer to focus on Freshmen
Start with freshmen but keep support going for 10-12th grade
This isn’t meant to be a checklist. This is just one midsize district’s strategies to prevent 9th grade failure through a multi-tiered lens.
These are real world examples to give you some context for what this looks like for a real district.
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18. Create Relevancy High School and Beyond Plan
Hands on learning opportunities
Coursework ties to desired outcomes
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19. Ephrata High School Principal Aaron Cummings
How we support 9th Graders
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20. OFFICE OF SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION
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21. OFFICE OF SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION
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22. OFFICE OF SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION
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23. OFFICE OF SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION
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24. OFFICE OF SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION
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25. Mount Baker School District Counselor Toby Marston
How we support 9th Graders
OFFICE OF SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION
9/17/2018

26. 2011-2012 Superintendent asked us to identify and define who an “at risk” student was in MBSD

27. Analysis was consistent with dropout literature
Students who did NOT attend MBSD as an elementary student were more likely to drop out.
Freshmen year transition was difficult (failed classes)
Attendance was an issue for our dropouts
More students living in one area of our district dropped out then other areas.

28. Student Supports Intentional 8th-9th transition program
Counselors in classrooms
8th grade counselor talking about transitions
HS tour day
College Bound Scholars
Supporting data:100% of eligible students have signed up for the College Bound Scholarship

29. Student Supports
Refined our advisory program to assist in 9th grade transition
Re-focus on goal areas
Added a 9th grade fall Student-Led Conference
Supporting data:
95% of parents report fall
conference as being helpful.

30. Student Supports
Started LINK Crew, a research based peer mentor program for all 9th grade students
Focused 3 hour summer orientation
Meet with mentors in small groups 6-8 times a year.
Supporting Data: 90% of 9th graders report LINK crew as being helpful to their high school transition.

31. Student Supports
Mental Health Support
Collaboration with local agencies
District commitment to hire a Mental Health Support Specialist
At LEAST one therapist on campus 5 days a week
Supporting Data: 96% of students receiving services say that counseling has helped them feel more successful at school.

32. Student Supports Community Outreach
Focus on neighborhood with most dropouts
Intentional partnership with community agencies
Supporting Data: Monthly over 20 community organizations meet to collaborate on neighborhood issues

33. Student Supports Base Camp
35 minutes 3 times a week for additional academic support
9:15-9:50 on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday

34. Base Camp Within this time three things happen:
Mountaineer Time: students with a 3.3 or above have choice to how they spend the period.
Base Camp-students below a 3.3 and with NO F’s are assigned a room for study hall.
Focused Learning-students with an F in any class are assigned to the teacher of that class to get additional time and support.

35. Focused Learning Students are placed every three weeks
Students can be requested by a teacher even if they don’t have an F.
Students in Base Camp or Mountaineer Time can request a note to place themselves into a focused learning session.

36. Focused Learning How are we doing?

37. Focused Learning How are we doing?
Data by Cycle
Cycle 1
Cycle 2
FL Kids N Fs
22.41%
32.42%
FL Kids w/ Fs
38.98%
MT Kids
35.17%
English Fs
20.61%
13.11%
Math Fs
16.21%
17.12%
Science Fs
19.52%
18.18%
Social Fs
16.67%
18.87%
Spanish Fs
20.33%
08.94%
Music Fs
04.73%
00.00%
Art Fs
00.93%
CTE Fs
07.43%
06.32%
Health Fs
18.60%
02.33%
PE Fs
00.58%

38. Focused Learning How are we doing?
English Data by Cycle
Cycle 1
Cycle 2
Cycle 3
Cycle 4
Cycle 5
Cycle 6
Cycle 7
Cycle 8
Cycle 9
ENGLISH 9 (ENG901)
09.62%
11.54%
ENGLISH 12 (ENG121)
38.78%
28.57%
18.37%
ENGLISH 10 HONORS (ENH101)
12.50%
08.93%
07.14%
ENGLISH 11 (ENG111)
46.81%
19.15%
ENGLISH 10 (ENG101)
29.79%
17.02%
20.21%

39. Focused Learning How are we doing?
Data by Specific Course
ENGLISH 9(ENG901)(HARRIS)
Cycle 1
Cycle 2
Cycle 3
Cycle 4
Cycle 5
Cycle 6
Cycle 7
Cycle 8
Cycle 9
10.45% 
07.46% 
05.97% 
Data by course and student
Student Name
Cycle 1
Cycle 2
Cycle 3
Cycle 4
Student A
55.20%
Student B
55.30%
50.80%
Student C
14.60%
56.70%
59.20%
Student D
5.40%
16.80%
11.20%
Student E
51.20%
Student F
5.60%
Student G
26.50%
40.50%
37.20%
Student H
50.20%
56.10%

40. Website
Visit the 9th Grade Course Failure Page for resources and strategies to support your work.
thGradeFailure/default.aspx
Mention rubric and workbook
OFFICE OF SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION
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41. Questions Contact Kefi.Andersen@k12.wa.us
Is your school or district addressing 9th grade failure? Contact us and let us know what you are doing!
OFFICE OF SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION
9/17/2018

42. Accessing Your Data
Contact your District Data Security Manager to get access to the Performance Indicators Preview application.
The role is “PI_Preview Basic User”
Logon to EDS:
Select the “Performance Indicators Preview” application.
Select the school or district organization in which your DDSM assigned your role.
Click on Reports
OFFICE OF SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION
9/17/2018

43. OFFICE OF SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION
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44. OFFICE OF SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION
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45. OFFICE OF SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION
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49. OFFICE OF SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION
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50. Helpful Resources District preview page Support Resources
Copy of this presentation
Recording of the webinar data walkthrough
Helpful resources
Support Resources
Visit the 9th Grade Course Failure Page for resources and strategies to support your work.
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9/17/2018

51. Webinar on District Preview Page
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52. 9/17/2018

53. Next Month December 14, 10-11am
Creating a Multi-Tiered System of Supports for Integrated Student Services
Contact
Is your school or district addressing 9th grade failure? Contact us and let us know what you are doing!
Next Month: December 14, Creating a Multi-Tiered System of Supports for Integrated Student Services
OFFICE OF SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION
9/17/2018