1. Problem Based Learning

2. Facts The school is on the state list to be taken over because of failing ELA scores. Parents can use a voucher if scores don’t improve. K-5 school with 900 students 50% of teachers have less than 3 years experience 50% are tenured and taught at the school for less than 2 years.

3. The Broad Problem The teachers don’t have enough training or experience to teach reading and language arts. The school population has low SES with little parent involvement 20% of below level readers are 4 th and 5 th grade ELL students. The student population is transient.

4. Hypothesis The ELA scores are low in the school because teachers are not properly trained to effectively teach ELA, and ELL students don’t have the support they need. Another factor in the low scores is that a percentage of parents have a low SES, and do not have the tool to partner in their child’s education, and may have an unstable home life.

5. What can we do……. Educate faculty on Common Core Standards. Implement mandatory professional development that focuses on research based strategies that raise reading scores. Educate parents and encourage parent involvement with regular education and ELL students. Purchase materials to support ELL students, and use paraprofessionals for extra academic support. Quickly assess and address new students needs.

6. Pitfalls………. Teachers may be educated, licensed, and employed without knowledge of the most important tools for fighting illiteracy. They may be asked to instruct all students in reading without the essential information, and program resources necessary to achieve such a goal.

7. Here’s the Facts…. Common Core Standards are designed to be relevant to the real world and help student be successful in college and beyond.

8. Common Core Professional Development Faculty meetings will implement training on RLA Common Core State Standards led by the reading specialist once a month. Faculty will be trained on the application of CCSS for English Language Leaders during PLC meetings by the reading specialist and ELL teacher.

9. Professional Development There is evidence that professional development in reading can have positive effects on teaching and produce significantly higher student achievement.

10. Required PD Teachers will be required to attend PD that focuses on reading and language arts instruction. Language Central: Enhancing English Language Development (6hrs). – Promotes language skills needed for success – Helps teachers plan lessons that focus on, vocabulary, comprehension, and language skills.

11. Required PD Team leaders will attend the 2012 Literacy Intervention Conference Professional Development. www.nlpdc.us/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderfi les/interventionconference.pdf www.nlpdc.us/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderfi les/interventionconference.pdf

12. Why Parents? The family that reads together succeeds together! Decades of research show that when parents are involved students have: Higher grades, test scores, and graduation rates Better school attendance Increased motivation, better self-esteem Lower rates of suspension Decreased use of drugs and alcohol Fewer instances of violent behavior

13. Help for Home Studies have shown that families who receive in-home services are better able to manage their children and less likely to abuse or neglect them. Substance abuse and addiction affect the entire community. Families who live in poverty or have mental illness and/or addiction put children at risk for abuse and neglect.

14. Parent Involvement The school will send a letter home to parents about the Child & Family Tennessee Outreach Program, and the Even Start Program. These programs goals are to support the community by supporting families. Child & Family Tennessee Outreach Even Start

15. Parent Involvement in the School A sign up sheet will be available for parents at Open House to volunteer to read with, and assist 4 th and 5 th grade ELL students during the school day. – Parents will be required to commit to a set day and time to volunteer. – Parents will be trained by the reading specialist.

16. Results…. After educating the parents they will be the mobility rate will decrease.

17. ELL Support The ELL teacher will be given money to buy online programs, resources, books, instructional materials. Paraprofessionals will spend part of their day in the ELL classroom to give students academic support.

18. New Students Create a team of regular and special education teachers to assess new students educational needs. Team will – Check previous test records in Cumulative folder. – Administer DIBELS, STAR, and Think Link test. – If needed, set up intervention plan for student.

19. Resources http://www.corestandards.org/ http://michigan.gov/documents/Final_Parent _Involvement_Fact_Sheet_14732_7.pdf http://michigan.gov/documents/Final_Parent _Involvement_Fact_Sheet_14732_7.pdf http://www.wrsd.net/literacy/resources/learn ingalliancepdguide.pdf http://www.wrsd.net/literacy/resources/learn ingalliancepdguide.pdf http://www.child- family.org/ADA/Outreach.php#Overview:Outr each http://www.child- family.org/ADA/Outreach.php#Overview:Outr each

20. Resources continued….. ercontent/sitebuilderfiles/interventionconfere nce.pdf ercontent/sitebuilderfiles/interventionconfere nce.pdf