1. HANDOUT 3 Middle School Reform

2. 2 What does it take to prepare our middle school students for the 21 st Century? They must be able to … Work in teams Work in teams Solve complex problems Solve complex problems Connect learning across disciplines Connect learning across disciplines Think strategically Think strategically Apply knowledge to real-life situations Apply knowledge to real-life situations Use technology Use technology

3. 3 Steering Committee Charge Develop a comprehensive plan that: Is rigorous and challenging Is rigorous and challenging Improves teaching and learning Improves teaching and learning Promotes continuous school improvement Promotes continuous school improvement

4. 4 Steering Committee Charge Ensures preparation for rigorous high school standards Ensures preparation for rigorous high school standards Focuses on eliminating the achievement gap Focuses on eliminating the achievement gap

5. 5 Project Teams Leadership/Professional Development Leadership/Professional Development Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment Extended Learning Opportunities Extended Learning Opportunities Human Resources Human Resources Organizational Structure Organizational Structure Technology Technology Parent and Community Engagement & Communication Parent and Community Engagement & Communication

6. 6 Policy IEB, Middle School Education The Steering Committee was also charged with revising Policy IEB using the research and work of the 7 project teams The Steering Committee was also charged with revising Policy IEB using the research and work of the 7 project teams Project teams reviewed Policy IEB and made recommendations regarding its revision Project teams reviewed Policy IEB and made recommendations regarding its revision Revised Policy IEB was approved by the Board of Education on February 13, 2007 Revised Policy IEB was approved by the Board of Education on February 13, 2007

7. 7 Process Used by Steering Committee Reviewed project team reports Reviewed project team reports Prioritized recommended actions along with team co-chairs Prioritized recommended actions along with team co-chairs Identified key recommendations Identified key recommendations Categorized key recommendations under six goal areas Categorized key recommendations under six goal areas

8. 8 Six Goals Goal 1: Ensure effective leadership that promotes shared ownership for student and staff success and established a culture of high expectations Goal 2: Engage all students in effective and differentiated instructional practices using a rigorous standards-based curriculum and challenging assessments

9. 9 Goals Goal 3: Provide extended learning opportunities that engage and motivate students to achieve at higher levels Goal 4: Implement organizational Structures that maximize time for teaching and learning, cultivate positive relations, and promote increased student achievement

10. 10 Goals Goal 5: Ensure that middle school staff has the knowledge, skill, and content expertise to meet the learning and developmental needs of middle school students Goal 6: Engage parents and the community as partners to promote school and student success

11. 11 Multi-Year Initiative Phase I: 2007-2008 Phase I: 2007-2008 Phase I Middle Schools Phase I Middle Schools Benjamin BannekerBenjamin Banneker Roberto ClementeRoberto Clemente Montgomery VillageMontgomery Village SligoSligo Earle B. WoodEarle B. Wood Phase II: 2008-2009 Phase II: 2008-2009

12. 12 Selected Recommended Actions for Phase I and Phase II Professional Learning Communities Institute Professional Learning Communities Institute Mathematics and Literacy Content Specialists Mathematics and Literacy Content Specialists New structure for resource teachers and team leaders New structure for resource teachers and team leaders

13. 13 Phase I Recommended Actions Innovative, interactive model classrooms (21 st Century Classrooms – Promethean whiteboards) Innovative, interactive model classrooms (21 st Century Classrooms – Promethean whiteboards) Rigorous core and elective courses Rigorous core and elective courses Redesigned after school and summer programs Redesigned after school and summer programs

14. 14 Recommended Actions Funds to support team planning and professional development Funds to support team planning and professional development Study Circles and integrate action steps in school improvement plans Study Circles and integrate action steps in school improvement plans Parent Academy workshops Parent Academy workshops

15. 15 Recommended Actions for All Middle Schools School Leadership Team Institute School Leadership Team Institute Comprehensive Professional Development Plan: differentiation, rigor, equitable classroom practices, data-driven instructional decisions Comprehensive Professional Development Plan: differentiation, rigor, equitable classroom practices, data-driven instructional decisions Guidelines for Advanced Instruction Guidelines for Advanced Instruction

16. 16 All Middle Schools Alignment of mathematics and English curricula with The College Board standards (on hold) Alignment of mathematics and English curricula with The College Board standards (on hold) Formative and benchmark assessments/new technology tool (Performance Matters) Formative and benchmark assessments/new technology tool (Performance Matters) Additional counselors – selected schools Additional counselors – selected schools

17. 17 All Middle Schools 7-hour instructional data assistants 7-hour instructional data assistants Guidelines for school schedules and vertical articulation Guidelines for school schedules and vertical articulation Recruitment and hiring of middle school staff with knowledge, skills, and content expertise specific to middle school Recruitment and hiring of middle school staff with knowledge, skills, and content expertise specific to middle school School and parent resources to improve parent communication and engagement School and parent resources to improve parent communication and engagement

18. 18 Next Steps Evaluate implementation of Phase I Evaluate implementation of Phase I Phase II: 2008-2009 Phase II: 2008-2009 9 schools9 schools Phase III: 2009-2010 Phase III: 2009-2010 TBDTBD Note: Implementation is contingent on budget approval and results of the implementation evaluation.

19. 19 Additional Information The complete Middle School Reform Report is available at the following website: http://www.montgomerycountyschoolsmd.org/info/msref orm The complete Middle School Reform Report is available at the following website: http://www.montgomerycountyschoolsmd.org/info/msref orm

20. 20 Questions