1. Essential Elements: Schools-to-Watch Program
Presenters:
, Principal
Xxxxxxx, xxxxxxxx
Middle School
School Improvement Team Members

2. A Collaboration Involving…
The National Forum to Accelerate Middle-Grades Reform
A Collaboration Involving…
The New York State Middle School Association
The New York State Education Department

3. Essential Elements: Schools-To-Watch Program
Since its inception sixteen years ago, New York’s EE: STW program operated as a program to identify and recognize exemplary schools that are successfully implementing New York State’s Essential Elements and the National Forum’s criteria for high performance and to promote school improvement and continuous growth.

4. Promoting New York State’s Essential Elements: Schools-To-Watch Program ….
Over the past several years the EE: STW program has transitioned to a statewide school improvement effort where recognition is but one component. Emphasis is on school improvement as well as recognition. EE: STW is designed to help schools develop an on-going culture of self-reflection leading to continuous self-improvement.

5. Benefits of Completing the EE: STW Application Process
A thorough, research-based, review of the middle-level school and its programs consistent with the Regents Policy Statement on Middle-Level Education, the SED’s Essential Elements of Standards-Focused Middle-Level Schools and Programs, and the National Forum’s STW Criteria.
Engagement of the educational community in a constructive school improvement activity.
Identification of school/program strengths as well as areas in need of improvement.
Development of a research-based continuous improvement plan for the school.
Site visit (and follow-up report) by a team of trained middle-level educators.

6. Benefits of being an EE:STW School
On-going, research-based school improvement.
National and state recognition for the district, school, and staff.
Membership in a select group of nationally recognized middle-level schools.
Professional development opportunities and networking.
Coaching towards continued success.

7. Introducing the EE:STW School Improvement Process to Faculty
What are the Essential Elements?
Introducing the EE:STW School Improvement Process to Faculty
The benefit of the EE: STW process to the teaching staff…
Additional videos:

8. Typical Two-Year Application Timeline
January – July of Year 1: Application preparation and submission
August – September of Year 1: Peer review process of submitted application documents
October – January of Year 1 to 2: Site visits to schools
February - Year 2: Notification of Essential Elements: Schools-To-Watch Designation or Rising School Designation
March – May of Year 2: Celebrations at Schools
June – Year 2: Attendance at National Forum’s Awards Conference in Washington, DC
October – Year 2: Present at the NYS Middle School Association’s Annual Conference
Typical Two-Year Application Timeline

9. National Forum Schools-To-Watch Program and the New York State Essential Elements: Schools-To-Watch Program
Both are based on the same research. The National Forum organizes the research into four domains whereas our State program organizes the research into Seven Essential Elements.

10. The value of the EE: STW process for their building from the perspective of a Board of Education President, Superintendent of Schools, and two Building Principals…

11. Vimeo Channel

12. Steps in the Application Process
Become familiar with the EE: STW Application Materials
Complete the EE: STW Self Study Rubric and also the STW On-Line Self Study
The Application
– Descriptive Information
– The Narrative
– Recent Changes
– the Assurances
Assemble the Completed Application
Submit the Application Electronically

13. EE: STW Self Study Document

14. What is different about the electronic survey?

15. Why Re-designation After Three Years…
Schools selected for recognition as a School-To-Watch must be re-designated every three years to maintain their EE: STW status.
Schools-To-Watch criteria go beyond State Assessment performance.
EE:STW values and recognizes a sustained trajectory of improvement.

16. Not comfortable seeking recognition as an EE:STW School at this time?
What should you do?

17. What should you do:
Use the EE:STW process strictly for school improvement.
Complete a self-assessment using either the Essential Elements Rubric or the National Forum’s STW Rubric.
Use the data from the self-assessment to prepare a continuous improvement plan (CIP) and implement that plan.
Evaluate the results of your plan, revise and continue implementing your CIP.
If you wish, apply for EE: STW recognition after establishing a positive trajectory and a culture of continuous improvement.
Train to be an EE: STW application reviewer or site visitor.

18. National Forum STW Academy – Application Writing Workshop
Ed Tech Corporation
July 17-19, Oceanside, NY

19. Resources Available:

21. New York’s EE:STW Partner Educational Organizations:
The New York State Middle School Association**
The Statewide Network of Middle Level Liaisons
The New York State United Teachers
The School Administrators’ Association of New York State
The New York State Education Department
The National Forum to Accelerate Middle Grades Reform
** Designated by the National Forum as the host
organization for NYS.