Table Of Content

‘A comprehensive study and follow-up interviews expose the strategies that successful middle grades 24 Leadership principals share. ccetful middle schools donot happen by aceldent~ they bappes trough eadersip.Pincpalepro- mote a shared vin that empow- ers scool stall to set high standards and ‘ontauoalyinprovestadent achievement Andthese middle grade educators ty'0 ‘ep ther adolecen student ee the con ectlon between thelr workin school and thelr futures, ‘Those ae among the findings of"ala- {ng Ground inthe Middle Grades and ‘markstudy by EdSouce,publihed in 200. ‘EdSourcelntervewed nine ofthe 303 pri pals who purepated inthe stay teen ‘more abouthow succesful choo Teaders areimplementing thse steaele and wht they've learned along the way ach ofthe rlneichoolserverow income students lanotable fori tadent? aademlewucens (sesidebar on next page) Acolaborativ culture “The interviews reveled that despite the tough economic ies they fae, the lend cvtad teachesin thee choc oetnee ts ‘woe hard creates collaborative cate ‘They provide adequate sie for teachers to plan lessons and work gether to develop roreflective approaches Take La Merced Intermediate School, which seas of Los Angles in the San Ga Teel Valley. This school of about 1,400, mow Latino middle gradersesasid tine om Monday afernoonsso teachers can con vecsewith each ter, sharing setegies that have worked aswell as approaches that have ot worked so wl based on dts "veryhlng i outin the open tye Pri cipal Eugene Kees. "oheald days itused tobe: going grea but not going to ‘hare with anbedy because want tbe the shining star Thats cultural change we've ‘bee able o implement” The change at La Merced wat intestinal and ookeffor. Kee sndhisasistan principal mt with teachers Bernardino County workin teams based oa subject and grade level ay Principal len Ranions. The schoo of about 1,000 mostly yen Fy Latino seventh: and eighth: grades haran sccleated magnet school within it hat ferves grade ster wel If dat from school benchmarktetashowthatone teacher dents did not understand «concept while nother teacher tadents showed tha they Ida good grasp ofthe academic standard, Raneonsexpectathefreteachertoseck lp from the second ‘The school as ale set aides period the dey tha canbe ated for ntervenions ‘Students fom any cls who tested poorly fon aparticlar standard ave an oppor ‘ity to leaen the materia rom the teacher vow student beat grasped the standard the fre ime tas tught. Teachers gett gether ookatthe dat, andthen decide who troul bethe est onetoreteachthe materia {na pecia cas eson tthe roup oft dentewno teed poorly ‘Schools in Los Angles Unified Schoot Dincic as Stephen M. White Midsle School in Carton cllbort in developing ‘common lesions through the Japancie eda ‘tional practice of Lesson Stay Teachers takeapartand exmineallelementsofales to, then sua strategies for teaching ech cement eect. They thenimplement the Jeson, comeback and debrief and tweak t buted on heirerperience with asa oup. “ita laborions proces but thas pad Aividends or kids” Principal James Noble sayz "We wound up with some ‘polished ‘ones = some atl lesone that teachers ‘can share” Noble say the math teachere in particular have embraced his approach, ‘They et diligently he sys and developed ‘common end of unit tak, anesmenteand ‘pendant way, “any stadent at any given ‘week an alkwith ny other student a the ame grad level and daciline and they ne ‘Mlonthesame poe” Focusingon the standards ‘The principals interviewed als empha- sized thei ehoolt commitment foc on ey standards selected from the fll set of state andards— whats mostimporcant for ‘dents to know and be ableton core ‘academic subjects (uch as English, math, science soil studies andthe ats) ateach gadeleve "Adminisratorsandtechersat Woodrow Gaining ground: Nine notable schools Source nteviewedprincialfrom theo lowing ne schoostoteytousdestand the practices and experiences of succesful lead To see full profles ofthe nine shoals, goto Ed Source Middle Grades Paybook at wwwedsource. ‘orp pubit-ngkic peoles California Middle School in Sacramento had some ofthe op eighth-grade scores on the English Language Arts, Genera Mathematics and Algebra California tandands Tet for 2008-oP anongtbe 144 sels serving malay lower-income student that participated in EdSouree's Gaining Groundstudy. + East Palo Ako Carter School in 2009 had an Academic Performance Indexscore shove 80a sttewide rank of onthe APL anda statewide rankof 10a the Sie Schools Rank. *GrangeJunor High School ia National City was amed asa Schoolto Watchin 2010 the National Forum wo Accelerate Middle Grades Reform and increase its ‘Similar choot Rank rom 9 10 between 2009 and 2010. *LaMerced Intermediate Schoo in Montebello had 2008-09 eighth-grade English Language Arts, General Mathematics and Algebra ICS sores that wet fr above ‘the average among the 144 school serving manly lower-income students that pr tilpted in EdSoure’ study. "Loe Amigos School in Palmdale was otblfor eighth-grade achleveent onthe Engh Language AtSST for 208-09 amongthe 144 schoos serving mala lower Income students tha prtated in EdSouree' study. *Stphen M. White Middle Sehooin Cason showed notable increases in mean scalescoreon the Grade English Language Ars and Algebra IST from 20070 2010,een asthe percentage of ight graders aking the Algebra testincresed rom apercentto 9 percent. *View Puk Preparatory Aceerated Charter Middle Schoolin Los Angelesbadan API score above $0 and, between 2008 nd 2003, increases statewide rank tom? {to 8and malntaned Similar Schoo Rank of10 *Viou Danks Mile School in Ontario had some ofthe top eighth-grade scores ‘on the English Language rt, General Mathematics and Algebra CSTs for 2008-09 ‘among the 144 schools serving mala lower-income stents that participated in EdSourcesstdy. + Woodeow Wilsoa Junior High Sthoolin Hanford malnained is Similar School Rankof9 between 2008 and 7009 and had eighth-grade English Language Arts and ‘Algebra CSTscorenin 2008-09 that were far above the averageamongthe 144 choos ‘ecving manly ower income students that partial in Source sty. Sasi Rey ‘Wilton Fnior High nthe San JouguinVal- The faculty and administrators a the ley cy of Hanford review thetestbueprint_schoolofabout 600 mostly Latino and white forastandar whichesplanrwhattogets students ato review pacing gids whichis rnesdtodotoshowtheyundertandthestan- timeline showing what material shold be ard For example seventh grademath ta- covered during the school yea. nation, <dentshooldbe abletousestimation tll teachershaveacslendarbaseon the ping Mthlrclculated reatsmakesense) guide thatcoverswhat teachers areexpected [November/December 2011 28 to docachdayupuntilthespring California doing Atthtschoolfsboet700stadents, Fach dayineveryatoom at California Standards Tents are given. Ieheps teachers whicn har an ethnically mixed popaltion Middle seventh. and eighth-graders have ayontarget, ofseventh: and eighth-praderstadenten- ‘wo patlearningobjecives: St whathey “There's not alot oftime to watt” ays gagement ike, When Vigilaskratadent are goingtoleara tht dysecond, ow hey Principal Kenneth Hggert."Each minwte ie what he has learned that ay she expecta ate oingto prove tht he learned before precios” {radyanewetAndthatanaverneedetoshow | they lave the room, Thee objectives are Principal lzebeth Vigil at California hisundertanding ofthe sabe notjurtbe ported foreeryone oe. Midi School in Stramento gets teachers arestationofwhathe has done. ‘Many ofthe school inthe EdSource to focason the sendards by emphasizing “The focur iron student learning, not stadyhadlargenumbersoffnglshlearoers vwhuttedentsarelerning.notwhattheyare _teachersteaching” she ays “Theschooe ound that the ert way to belp thor children, andthe entre school era the tandardswarby focusing itercyin Better Attendance, More Revenue. Rsianiaanannannanins We'll help you get there. ‘psy dt tte ‘Stabou whe you hve fend {Aas Pal Ato Chart Seo south ~ ‘of San Francisco, more than half of the ‘mon 900 Faden come fom fet q ster Englshs ot the primary language. s+ ‘Athol APs wel above the GAG ste’ pecormance ares of 80, andar ned test scores dn tel the whol sto Principal aura Ramiezs. When aden attested onan autben- ticreadingansesmen, arial ifthey areaskedt ead noniction texts, they do notiore ney aswel she ay, First, you need kids in their seats and you need parents to ‘Thishes prompted the school look et Ke UNNI tanee Developmental Reading Assesment data ‘overtime to gets hande on students Iiter- -ASIgA we lp yeumanage attendance to get and keep kin schoo: cylele Taspevearch- tured eerste ‘three components of reading: engagement, ‘oral reading fluency, and comprehension. 1 identity at Risk Students "= measure Chronic absenteeism ‘The DRA data provide “something that « ina Pana Cubes standardized estcan' give you, shesays. Granger Janior High School in National Youre longer mal arendanceletrs; we do that foryouThelettrs te ‘iy oath ofSan Digs, haa similar oes. consllan and access extsed, unexcused anc chronic absenteeism. Inthis school of bout 1,000 primarily La- tino and Flipino seventh eighth and ninth graders, teachershaveto teach eading end ‘writing a8 well as thei subject ares, aye Principal Mary Rose Peat, Fr example, ‘themath departments developed math- With sttertionzatendonce you receive the tools, waning, and supporto sucessuly reduce absontois sstematicaly ares your ene dtc. Las yeerourclents eslzed an overall aveag® ADA increase 20.3% Attention2Attendance’ based wring prompt tha ak stdents © phiathe thinking HER ATENDANCE* INCREASEDLEARMINGTIME * DECREASED OROPOUTS ——"'iydnts mut een the aeademic Iunggein each det chs uot” Jnmathor metaphor in Engl) ad we SA ‘hore words in thee writing. Every lt ‘com # 877.954.8357 « proluctinfogsla-us.com oom basa word wall thatincudestheace- Continued mpage 28 GRADUATE SCHOOLOF EDUCATION WE KNOW EDUCATION MATTERS Offering Credential, Certificate and Graduate Programs ‘Cavunia Leteran Unser Seto! of aa protean ue oF (es our nea youll 1.888.CLU-6RAD | www.callutheran.edu/gsoe demic language and concepts the students Books Worth Reading “Sehr gestion een By Gore Marth ait ected ACSA ection Srv xoettemtosnererncompesetct ‘sing academic language When they frame Inia anistance (often refered to a sca folding") to students who need language hallenge the more advanced stadt Fee cori rpesinundn a ACSA mene) Mary Fae Calin sod Bll Levinson hve creed an excellent resource for thow interested in be outing soperiteadents os wel ou thone mew othe ob. Ea fit tis bok willbe fertared at the New Superintendents Workshop at ACSA Jansary Saperntendents Symposium. Not only do the author provide sidelines or being fered that st nperitendeney they woo provide vn overvion othe row cel pet ne wil tncounter during the st thre yersin the job. Thebockisa collection ofpactal | A fture-rlented mison [Atos Amigos Schoo! in northern Los ‘Achieving Success for Hew and Aspiring Superintendents: A Practical Guide. By | Angeles County ~« K-8 Spanish/English Mary Frances Callan and Wiliam Levinson, Corvin Books, 201 immecsion choo that serves about 90 pr marily Latino student teachers meetin [etretcaneabe sev ubhevineetueeaesomande | cium deat calla do things very deen, Jam Vollmer argues tat the American seem | sores set academic goals and tak about ‘ofeduction har been designedto lave some tdentsbehind. Hewritesthatleaders | thelr future, Everytime a tudent reaches ‘must push for "greater public accountability for student succes: ashared sense of | goa the teacher and student together seta ownership for loca schools combined with acommuritywidewillingnessoacept_| Rew one. espinginminé broader, overall objective, Teachers also tak with tants bout highschool and college Principal Bene Esque also works with the principal of the high schoot located Coated onpge 38 ‘Schools Cannot Det Aloe. By Jamie Voller. Enlightenment Press, 2010, Doctorate in Leadership for Educational Justice This progrant hss : svengthered ny R TERRI) Cen 5 leadership skills while SEMEN ving metre toosto | university oF tee =r Redlands ‘and oppressions our for Educational ScHoOL oF EpucaitoN studon's experience, Ihave become a Education + ‘+ Accomplished and committed facuty anne = Surrer institute with guest itr leat. (677) 299-7547 fear cohort medel progrem -swantejne | [email protected] TEER smote | Redendse ose mentoring of student " 28 Leadership Focus on success: Gaining ground Conued tom page 28 ‘next door to ensure that Los Amigos tu- ent enter sath grade well prepared. The ‘igh choo principal walks the Los Amigos ‘campus with ome teachers and gives them ‘eedback. And the seventh and eighth ride teaches takea wip to the high schol cam- to ee what expected hee Talking with students about hal goals [At View Park Preparatory Acelerated harter Middle School in Los Angeles, Principal Niklas Howard andthe teach crtalkabout coll allthe time wit thie ‘Modents, This sal charter school server shout 350 primarily Asean American st ‘dents. Howard makes an effort talk with dents one-n-aoe abutting gals He sskstadent what college the ar consid ring, Then he tks them to goon that cl lege webu tod othe erage GPA or sceepance. Then hehar another cavers tion. “lay, ‘Lets start shooting for that ‘ow. This what that ‘View Pack wets choo inforstion ee tem tht web-beted so Howards laptop ito tudy halls, picks kidetrandom, polls up thee grades, and discusses their ‘propre wi them. lan, Remember we talked abort euch andsuch calle. What ‘was their uinimum GPAT Are you there? ‘What’ holding you back” ‘Whataddeto tists selective, Howard sys that he inaot he only one doing that. Thee stdy hall eacher also tae ces to that norton, esandingto th shel communty ‘Although he ine pina all lw many ofthe nme prac a deverbed “Shoolenvonmet Forxempe srodenion ck Sader erected rps wosignments in 6 mister Sted hal eachers ak stadet produc ‘hy with sprees As sedet ish 38 Leadership anaignment they check tof One ofthe ‘primary psf mid school iste deep ‘rodacademichabitstha willow sadets to besaccetsfal in highschool and calles, Howard says Through stad hal "wetech ‘them ogenzaion andhow plan time” “At Fat Plo Ao Charter School every Friday «lead teacher facilitates mide school eam mectings hat inchde teachers, special education support, sdesand teach ing resident. The lend tescer ie intimately Involve with each teachers work because she relay observes and helps each in ‘otherclsrooms.Attheend ofeach quarter, ‘the mile choo eam gos oat o dinner offcampu to discuss any difculier nd where they ned hlp. Admininrators donot sttend to allow for more open dications Thelead teacher sits the conversion sndisthelinzon forthe administration sllycommunitng what heteachers ex,” Ramirersay. “At Ving Danks theadatsareopen with seadentsaboutet esate andthe impact of thor tests on their fatres. Teachers mest Ingividualy with thei tadente and set {oa based on the prior years California ‘Standard Test scores. They dicuer where ‘the students want to go this yar and what they hae to do to ge there, Then they ak the tants lout pledge sect, fen inthe presence ofthe principe andor asi tant principal. The dents take he pledge sheet to thee parents oran important adult In their ives ney“ dedicating tis to you. Thisethe acre want to get” ‘Some common strategies ‘Ther no doo tht succes prinl- pasrespond othe particular needs ofthe staff sadents nd commasiy ButwhatEé- Source’ study bas found ~ and what these rine mide grades principals have sbared— stetome common strate for aces: Creating collaborative culture; + ocosing on staden improvement by sectng lear goals for student leering and measuring progres toward those goals and * Helping students ink their academic work theirftres. Susans a pop ssc fr 680008 STATEMENT OF OWNERSHIP, MANAGEMENT ANO CIRCULATION ena 024240 3. tng Date stom be 2014 tue gue: Sete Now De, on fe, Marge Moyo Anna Sse $60.0: 7- tee ‘Sseamons Cony ener Buses (tent abate 1575 Booey, Siigene. CA 9400;8 Peer 956; emanate: Suh se Seal nna 1575 re voy, Buringa, A 94010; 12 Kn Senate, Marne, so te Se ‘ytd Ovni ef Waing perce ot ‘neo ata amt of ed, moter tuition ase, Copies a ae Deng Prceng12 mot) etal Ne Caples of Sage se Piss Rerest org Dee Tt numberof ape (06498) 15002 al nar agus ‘heaton Paquet Ot oat Mal Subsets (5479) 15.922 (2) ate county Stsrpton (00; (2) Ser hogh Deis ad Cater, Stes nts, ovr ean Meo USPs Pu ttbatn (0) (4 tae ‘nes at Troup USPS (00: otal pad andorra ener (05473) 18.032; 4 Fe etbatin ‘a (tse County (0)0;(2) a ety (0)0;() Omer cae (a9 USPS (26) 2804 Few Dts stale he mal (500) 50; Ta re ‘ut (70) 720. al roto (06,28) 1579; cope at att tat (20) 200; otal 6438) 15992 Pact pal ner ruse elation (958) 95836. een atl norm Sian Etoe